Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2005/RSL Legal Aid

The RSL, in conjunction with the Australian legal profession, has launched a new legal referral scheme known as RSL Legal Aid.

A National Trustee of the RSL, CMDR Justice Dennis Cowdroy RANR, said that the scheme is available to all current serving members of the armed forces and of the RSL who are in urgent need of legal advice.

"The operation of the scheme is designed to be user-friendly," he said "Any eligible person who needs immediate legal advice or guidance need only to telephone the RSL Headquarters and quote 'RSL Legal Aid'.

"If their case is needy, they will be placed in touch with a legal aid provider in any state or territory of the Commonwealth and they will receive legal advice by telephone free of charge."

CMDR Cowdroy described the scheme as 'unique'.

"It is an innovation which has never been previously available to the armed forces," he said. "It has made been possible only by the generous cooperation of the legal profession Australia-wide.

"The scheme will ensure that any service personnel's problems can be dealt with promptly and minimise the stress which they already experience in their daily operations."

The scheme was launched on August 6.