Community Legal Education
St Kilda Legal Service is committed to undertaking Community Legal Education (CLE) activities and this complements the casework undertaken by the Service. The Service, where possible, takes an innovative, flexible and responsive approach to the design and delivery of CLE activities.
CLE is the provision of information and education to members of the community, on an individual or group basis, concerning the law and legal processes, and the place of these in the structure of society. The community may be defined geographically or by issue. (Guidelines for CLE practice, National CLE Advisory Group 1995)
CLE is recognised as an effective means of communicating preventative measures and attempts to assist individuals avoid legal conflicts or the escalation of legal disputes. CLE activities are undertaken within a community development framework.
The aim of CLE is to improve access to justice and the legal system by providing members of our local community with legal information and education that will empower them to make informed choices and raise awareness of their rights and responsibilities under the law.
CLE activities are undertaken using a broad range of strategies including:
- face to face presentations (such as workshops, seminars, forums, information and training sessions)
- information displays
- producing web-based or video materials
- via other media forums (such as articles in newspapers, radio and TV programs)
- producing written materials (such as pamphlets, fact sheets, booklets, teaching and resource guides and other publications)
