Workshops tackle the legal barrier

A LOCAL legal centre will help people prepare for VCAT hearings and other legal matters.
A series of six free workshops at the Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC), which has an office in Cranbourne, will help locals better understand how certain legal procedures work.
The State Government recently provided a $55,000 grant to the PCLC to run the series of workshops on civil claims.
Consumer Affairs Minister Daniel Andrews said the workshops would teach consumers how to complete civil claims applications, prepare for Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearings, and understand how VCAT decisions and enforcement orders procedures work.
The workshops are open to all Victorian consumers wanting to make claims under Victoria’s Fair Trading Act and Motor Car Traders Act.
“Consumers who have taken on the task of representing themselves at VCAT are provided with useful information to assist them in making their claim,” Mr Andrews said.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera said the workshops helped give consumers the confidence and tools to seek penalties and compensation through the legal system.
The PCLC will also run workshops in the city on 26 April and 15 June to assist tenants in taking disputes to VCAT.
Bookings for all workshops are essential and can be made by contacting the Peninsula Community Legal Centre on 9783 3600.
For further advice on consumer and tenancy matters contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 558 181.