Court Support and Liaison service

The Court Support and Liaison Service is a free service for victim-survivors of family violence and is available through Safe at Home.

Court Support Officers are available in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, and other regional areas (on request) to provide support to adult and child victims of family violence (including referral to appropriate counselling and other services) and guide them through the justice system before, during and after court appearances.  Support is available for male and female victim-survivors regardless of age or cultural background.

Court Support Officers can provide Safe at Home clients with the following assistance:

• Provide advice on how to make an Application for a Family Violence Order.
• Facilitate referrals to Safe at Home Legal Aid for legal assistance.
• Provide ongoing updates on progress of a matter in court.
• Provide information on court processes and working with the Victim to prepare and manage expectations surrounding Hearings.
• Liaise with Safe at Home Stakeholders on behalf of Victims and participation in weekly ICC meetings.
• Accompany Victims to Police interviews and briefings.
• Assist Victims with the preparation of the Victim Impact Statements.

Further assistance can be provided by the Court Support Officers as matters proceed through the court process including:

• provide a court tour to explain the court layout, facilities, the roles of people in the court and the language that may be used in court
• Accompanying the victim-survivor to court and providing support throughout the court process, including when they are required to give evidence
• Debriefing following court and discussing the impact of a Magistrate / Judge’s decision
• Follow up through referral to other support services.

For more information visit the Court Support and Liaison Service website.

Tasmania Legal Aid

Under the Safe at Home service system, Tasmania Legal Aid provide legal information, advice and assistance to victim-survivors of family violence. Tasmania Legal Aid has offices in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport. Legal Aid's Safe at Home services are free and confidential.

Tasmania Legal Aid’s Safe at Home lawyers may, for victim-survivors of family violence, include:

• Explaining how to take out a Family Violence Order
• Assisting in completing applications for a Family Violence Order and representing you in Court
• Advising what Family Violence Orders mean and how they affect you
• Advice and assistance for applications to extend, vary or revoke existing Family Violence Orders
• General advice about Family Law, especially care arrangements for children
• Assistance to apply for a grant of Legal Aid in relation to Family Law matters
• Help to find out or explain criminal charges the offender may be facing and the likely result
• Where Police are making an application for a Police Family Violence Order, help working with the Police to achieve the outcome you need, specifically in terms of your safety and other priorities
• Starter advice regarding property
• Advice about how to financially support yourself, including through Centrelink, Child Support and other services

Legal Aid may also provide appropriate referrals to the Court Support and Liaison Service, the Family Violence Counselling and Support Service, the Police Family Violence Units, Relationships Australia, accommodation services, other legal services and any other services that may be appropriate.

For more information visit the Tasmania Legal Aid website.

Office Locations

Hobart: (03) 6236 3839.
158 Liverpool Street, Hobart

Launceston: (03) 6328 4068
64 Cameron Street, Launceston

Devonport: (03) 6423 8444
8 Griffith Street, Devonport

Burnie: (03) 6432 5000
50 Alexander Street, Burnie

Women’s Legal Service Tasmania

Women’s Legal Service Tasmania is a community legal service funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department.  We operate a free and statewide service, with offices in Hobart, Burnie and Launceston. We provide confidential and free legal advice and referral to women right across Tasmania through our telephone advice line.  We specialise in family law, family violence and child safety matters and can also provide legal assistance and representation in these areas.

In addition, Women’s Legal Service Tasmania provide community legal education sessions and workshops throughout the Tasmanian community.  We produce legal information publications such as brochures, booklets, factsheets, and websites, and strive to make the legal system more accessible and responsive to the issues affecting women through our law reform work.

Women’s Legal Service is managed and staffed by women who are sensitive to the diverse needs of individual women and groups within the Tasmanian community.  To book an appointment or speak to someone about the services we can offer, call 1800 682 468.

To visit our website go to: https://womenslegaltas.org.au/

Additional services