Women's Legal Service SA

Am still trying to deal with the way my case was handled. There's to much to list but here's a few, didn't stand up for me in court, paperwork not submitted on time then I was blamed, didn't listen to the fact that I was abused, physically and mentally. Didn't make a case for me, questioned them and was threatened with no longer being represented, was yelled at when I tried to explain things. Never listened, exhusband wiped the floor with me and they did nothing and I apparently had a senior solicitor. All I can say is, do absolutely everything in your power to find a different place to represent you. Am now homeless and being told it was in my favour by a percentage that anyway you add it up is nowhere near what they say I got. A vulnerable woman that asked for help and thought she would get represented properly and didn't. They get funded to nothing except giving them a huge wage. I will be taking the matter further. A exhusband that's on a fortune that abused me and it didn't matter. Someone said bulldogs in high heels and lipstick, they got it dead right.

Women’s legal service is the terrific organization! Chika and Hanna helped me with the family issues, they supported me the professional and encouraging help and that means a lot to my family! Chika and her team are very supportive and helpful and guide me to be strong as a mom!

New clients are directed to an automated voicemail service. I left a message and waited 30 days for a response… Luckily in that time I had paid for a private lawyer. The advice from Legal Women’s service was not only late, but insufficient. It’s obvious these are kids fresh out of uni lacking any experience: They need to employ more senior lawyers with demonstrated experience who can provide sufficient legal advise to those women needing it most who are unable to afford a private lawyer.

Drops clients when they’ve messed up instead of simply acknowledging it. The person I was working with was completely unorganised, dismissive and rude. Not a single deadline was met and humiliated in court. Applications were put in late, about 3 wrong affidavits and the final was still incorrect. Gave court less then 24 hours notice for me to attend via phone when they need FIVE days. Knowing for weeks I wasn’t able to attend in person. As a single mother with tight income, i genuinely could have rather have pulled thousands out my pocket then ever experienced that. You don’t think people to who reach out to your service have been traumatised enough? All for things that were easily prevented with proper communication and time management skills. The least this service could do is show a little empathy or compassion for women in these stressful times.

Waited two weeks, never called back. Was an urgent matter. I was desperate. Everywhere else I turned to for help told me to call Women's Legal Service. I've just given up, on Women's Legal Service, and everything basically. Don't call here if you need urgent advice on family law, you're a wasting your time waiting for a callback which will never come. Do whatever you can to get money to see a real solicitor who can actually advise and help you.