SMLS is a Community Legal Centre. That means we do not charge for our services, and we can only help people with their legal problems if they are on a low income and other set criteria. Please contact us to find out if you are eligible. We offer free interpreter services for people who speak a language other than English.
The interpreter's role is to objectively translate conversations between the lawyer and the client. We prefer to use accredited interpreters to ensure confidentiality and accuracy of the information. We help people with their legal problems and we witness the obstacles many people face in our justice system.
The interpreter's role is to objectively translate conversations between the lawyer and the client. We prefer to use accredited interpreters to ensure confidentiality and accuracy of the information. We help people with their legal problems and we witness the obstacles many people face in our justice system.
Services
SMLS is shaping a fairer future through accessibility and engagement. We work with people and community groups disadvantaged by an unfair and inaccessible legal system. Many of the problems we encounter on a day-to-day basis have legal solutions. Whether someone is facing family violence, or someone is not being paid properly at work, the law can make a huge difference in people's lives.
We are proud to have the Hon. Justice Shane Marshall serve as our inaugural Patron. His passionate dedication to the upholding of Human Rights and his fearless commitment to advocating for mental health awareness within the legal profession will help to shape our identity within the sector. His extensive experience in the legal profession, as well as his long-standing connection with Monash University helps to inform and support our service.
SMLS is the first and the largest site for clinical legal education in Australia. Our clinical education program has been in operation for more than 40 years, and we host around 100 Monash University Law students every year.
Under supervision by qualified solicitors, students run real cases on a range of different legal topics, and provide legal advice to clients, undertake ongoing casework, brief Counsel, and where appropriate, represent clients in Court.Students acquire a diverse range of practical legal skills essential for legal practice.
Under supervision by qualified solicitors, students run real cases on a range of different legal topics, and provide legal advice to clients, undertake ongoing casework, brief Counsel, and where appropriate, represent clients in Court.Students acquire a diverse range of practical legal skills essential for legal practice.
Download the latest SMLS annual reports here. If you are looking for other publications such as submissions or legal resources, please look in our Advocacy section, or visit our Blog. The iconic Lawyers Practice Manual has been produced and edited by SMLS in ongoing collaboration with Thomson Reuters for over 30 years.
We have a civil litigation program that can assist people with representation in civil proceedings in the Magistrates' Court, VCAT and in other jurisdictions where required. We can help people with minor criminal matters, like property damage, traffic offences, theft and possession of illicit substances.
Reviews (10)
Jennifer Moon
Dec 17, 2021
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Rohan Janine Chris Georgina thank you for giving us a fantastic Christmas present I appreciate everything you did for our family god Bless you all Rohan Chris Janine thank you so so much for taking Vic Pol on and making them accountable to their agreements
All I can say is thank you over and over again
Blessings
Jenny
All I can say is thank you over and over again
Blessings
Jenny
Mehran Hatami
Dec 08, 2021
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Amanda O'Connor
Aug 22, 2021
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Waited for a long period
Got there in the morning
It’s a first in first seen basis
Your not guaranteed an appointment
Then you get a student who is transferring your say to the lawyer
Then had to go back after lunch
So basically I was there all morning & afternoon
Then they expect you to go back again
I would highly discourage anyone from using this drop in centre because the staff can be rude, invasive, extremely unjustified with their conduct, mannerisms & procedures.
Got there in the morning
It’s a first in first seen basis
Your not guaranteed an appointment
Then you get a student who is transferring your say to the lawyer
Then had to go back after lunch
So basically I was there all morning & afternoon
Then they expect you to go back again
I would highly discourage anyone from using this drop in centre because the staff can be rude, invasive, extremely unjustified with their conduct, mannerisms & procedures.
Tuan Phan
Dec 08, 2020
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Huge disappointment!!!
The center utilises very inexperienced students. Serious lack of training.
They provided misleading information from session times to the procedures.
You are not allowed to see the "lawyer". All information, explanation is passed from and to "lawyer" via a student. Therefore you will NEVER expect accurate result or consultancy.
In my case, I seriously question the quality, competency of the "lawyer" who could not understand (or may be she ignored) the definitions in a road rules that I brought up.
This is an absolutely useless, questionable service and they are wasting
The center utilises very inexperienced students. Serious lack of training.
They provided misleading information from session times to the procedures.
You are not allowed to see the "lawyer". All information, explanation is passed from and to "lawyer" via a student. Therefore you will NEVER expect accurate result or consultancy.
In my case, I seriously question the quality, competency of the "lawyer" who could not understand (or may be she ignored) the definitions in a road rules that I brought up.
This is an absolutely useless, questionable service and they are wasting
Jazz
Jun 26, 2020
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What a waste of my time and the staff lacked empathy or responsibility. As a victim left with damaged property I was told in early December that SM legal services could help me and I was no doubt eligible for representation but I would have to call back in January to schedule an appointment as they were booked out. I waited patiently and when I rang in January I was told they were not organised enough to take appointments yet. One week later a voicemail was left that they were not going to help me. I think the receptionist's name was Sabrina, she was rude and had no customer service at all. She
Kym Phoa
Nov 10, 2019
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I went to seek assistance with family law and they took down my details properly to get funding but turn me away the next time i tried to use the services. If they could not provide me the assistant for family law then they should of told me straight up instead of sign me up and turn me away
The manager told me over the phone that the services they provide is not in relation to Family Law and did not help me in any way to point me in any direction that would further assist me
The manager told me over the phone that the services they provide is not in relation to Family Law and did not help me in any way to point me in any direction that would further assist me
Dedushkapihto
Jul 12, 2019
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I have tried several times during last 7 years to get relevant information and support from them. Every time they BADLY FAILED. Hours of waiting and weird rules and all for NOTHING!
Absolutely useless service. I do not recommend them under any circumstances. THEY ARE USELESS. Seek another advisors. It's a pity I can not put "zero" for their so called "service".
Absolutely useless service. I do not recommend them under any circumstances. THEY ARE USELESS. Seek another advisors. It's a pity I can not put "zero" for their so called "service".
Willy U.
Jun 18, 2019
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-Went in to support
-Called up for the meet up
-They had no interpreter so I called a family member who was outside the facility, I tols them I was going out to get him.
-The person told the front desk I had left.
-And I was left by the person, so now i have to wait 2 hours.
What the actual #$%&... Where is your logic in thinking I waited for so long to just leave out of nowhere.
-Called up for the meet up
-They had no interpreter so I called a family member who was outside the facility, I tols them I was going out to get him.
-The person told the front desk I had left.
-And I was left by the person, so now i have to wait 2 hours.
What the actual #$%&... Where is your logic in thinking I waited for so long to just leave out of nowhere.
Samantha Jones
Aug 10, 2018
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3 hour wait only to be told no advice what’s so ever could be given. But only after half an hour or so was spent on obtaining personal information which they refused to give me and told me they had to hold onto it. I got the impression it’s purly for the purposes of obtaining funding. The sole purpose of the “legal service” is to provide training to the legal students, the care factor is 0. Give it a miss complete waist of an evening waiting.
Harnam Singh
Jan 01, 2018
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Not a good place i am a taxi driver. before going there i called them and they told me i will see a lawyer. when i went there i had to wait for 2 hours.
after 2 hours i saw a law student who told me that we cant help you. while i was waiting i saw a other guy who came there for some other issue.
girl on the counter just said to this other guy we cant see you today. and this other guy said that he had called before and was told that he can come anytime and somebody will see him
i went to other legal service clinic and they told that this clinic could have given me legal advise regarding some
after 2 hours i saw a law student who told me that we cant help you. while i was waiting i saw a other guy who came there for some other issue.
girl on the counter just said to this other guy we cant see you today. and this other guy said that he had called before and was told that he can come anytime and somebody will see him
i went to other legal service clinic and they told that this clinic could have given me legal advise regarding some
