Our Impact

Since 2008 JusticeNet has been connecting individuals and organisations with pro bono lawyers so they can get the help they need.

For JusticeNet, access to justice means providing high-quality legal help that is relevant to our client's needs. Through access to justice, we deliver life-changing solutions for our clients, such as:

  • Protecting human and legal rights
  • Navigating financial hardship
  • Avoiding homelessness  / stabilising housing
  • Improved dignity and well being
  • Enhanced capacity (charitable organisations)

22/23 Snapshot

99 People assisted

42 Avg pro bono hours per file

$12,460 Avg legal fees per file

$1,233,540* Est pro bono work performed

*NB: this is a conservative estimate including referrals completed in 2022-23 from Pro Bono Connect only, it does not include ongoing matters, or the RASP matters

Stories of Impact

The following cases studies illustrate the tangible impact that our work can have have on our client’s lives.

Article29 July 2024

Empowering Hila to navigate her legal options more safety.

Hila*, a migrant woman with an infant child, faced safely concerns after separating from her partner, who had been aggressive during the relationship, and had taken the baby from her care for a…

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Article2 Nov 2023

How we helped Edwina avoid homelessness

Nearly 50 years ago, Edwina’s* parents moved into a SAHA property in Greater Adelaide, and many years later, she moved closer to her elderly parents to care for them.

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Article1 Sept 2022

Sonya's story

Sonya* is in her early-60s, receives the Disability Support Pension and lives in community housing. She was experiencing severe bullying from her neighbours, who complained in the hope that she would…

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Article12 Mar 2022

Zara's general protection claim

Zara* was employed in a factory that was sold to a new employer, and her workplace moved to new premises. The new owner would, from time to time, smoke in the factory premises and would allow other…

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Article18 Oct 2021

John is given the gift of time

John* had been living in his public housing property for nearly 20 years. He was referred to Homeless Legal when his landlord obtained an order to evict him. John was devastated by the prospect of…

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Article6 Oct 2021

Max saved from homelessness

Max* was evicted by his landlord and so approached Homeless Legal for help. Max has been diagnosed with various mental health conditions and the stressors of 2020 really tripped him up. He lost his…

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Article22 Mar 2021

Saving Peter's Home

JusticeNet’s Pro Bono Connect (PBC), recently represented an elderly man to defend eviction proceeding filed in SACAT, with the assistance of pro bono counsel, Marita Pangallo of Howard Zelling…

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Article21 Mar 2021

David avoids eviction

David* is a pensioner and has been a tenant of Housing SA for 20 years. Recently, Housing SA applied to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) to terminate his tenancy due to…

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Article21 Mar 2021

Safe Haven a Step Closer for Mohen

JusticeNet members Peter Barnes and Paula Stirling made a successful application on behalf of Mohen*, a Sri Lankan asylum seeker, for judicial review of a decision to refuse him a protection visa.

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Article28 Sept 2020

Debt Recovery for Jason

Jason lives in public housing in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. He was born with an intellectual disability and deafness in one ear. He lived with his mother until she passed away and has been living…

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Article28 Sept 2020

Fines Enforcement and Detox

Sam* presented to Homeless Legal at a real tipping point in his life. He was facing fines and criminal charges in multiple states while sleeping rough and battling substance abuse.

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Article11 May 2020

Huge relief for Homeless Legal client

Belinda* was a resident of Catherine House who was referred to the lawyers from Homeless Legal for tenancy advice. B

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Article15 Apr 2019

Mary's Story

At age 63, Mary was confronted with the very real prospect of bankruptcy and homelessness.

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Article27 Mar 2018

Sometimes timely legal help can be life-saving

Bankruptcy can have long-term adverse consequences on employment options, borrowing capacity and even rental prospects.

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Article11 Apr 2017

Self-Representation and Referral Services collaborate to help co-defendants

JusticeNet’s Self-Representation Services and Referral Service often work together to assist mutual clients.

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Article10 Apr 2017

Terminally ill mother given urgent assistance to record her wishes

When Simone’s* family approached JusticeNet for assistance, Simone was in hospital with only weeks to live. Her condition was deteriorating and she urgently needed the help of a lawyer to prepare a…

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