Report to NLAF
The working group met on 24 November 2010.
The RRR Working Group developed a list of recommendations arising from the Law and Justice Foundation report on recruitment and retention of lawyers in RRR areas of NSW. The recommendations were endorsed by NLAF at its last meeting on 8 September 2010.
The working group has undertaken work towards implementing a number of the initiatives set out in those recommendations including hosting a roundtable discussion about recruitment and retention of lawyers in RRR areas on 22 September 2010. Participants at the roundtable included representatives from:
- the Law Council of Australia;
- the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department; and
- the National Association of Community Legal Centres.
During the roundtable, working group members discussed strategies proposed by the working group to address recruitment and retention of lawyers in RRR areas in NSW. The strategies related to:
- professional learning and development initiatives;
- human resource initiatives; and
- areas for further research.
A copy of the strategies can be found on the NLAF website.
The RRR working group recommends that NLAF extend the group’s operation until December 2011 so that it can work towards implementing the strategies described above.
Regional Outreach Clinic Program, Legal Aid NSW
The working group has accepted a proposal from Legal Aid NSW to act as an advisory group for the Regional Outreach Clinic Program (ROCP) for the duration of its operation. The RRR Working Group will provide advice on policies, planning and the strategic direction of the program. The issue of the ROCP will be a standing agenda item at working group meetings and Legal Aid NSW will provide a report to the working group about ROCP activities.
Assuming the term of the working group is extended; Legal Aid NSW will review ROCP governance structure, once the working group ceases to operate in December 2011.
The working group proposes to meet quarterly in 2011, approximately, one month before NLAF meetings. The next working group meeting will take place in February 2011.
RRR Working Group
December 2010
