Natural Disaster Community Support
Free legal help for small businesses, farms and other primary producers affected by floods, cyclones and bushfires.
We know that the well-being of communities is linked with the well-being of the small businesses in those communities. Which is why Justice Connect has launched a tailored legal service to support small businesses, primary producers and farmers grappling with legal problems as a result of floods, cyclones and bushfires.
In the face of compounding natural disasters, communities are only just feeling the legal impacts but don’t often know what kind of help is out here.
How do we help?
We can provide free legal advice and ongoing representation to eligible small businesses, farms and primary producers affected by natural disasters like floods, cyclones and bushfires. Legal issues can include, but are not limited to:
- Contracts
- Leases and property
- Fencing and disputes with their neighbouring farms
- Business insurance coverage and claims
- Credit & debt
Who can we help?
- Do you run a business, with 20 employees or less, in an area that was impacted by a natural disaster?
- Was your business negatively impacted by a natural disaster?
- Are you dealing with a legal problem because of a natural disaster?
- Are you finding it harder to resolve a legal problem because of a natural disaster?
- Would your business struggle to pay for legal help?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, you are probably eligible for free legal help from Justice Connect.
Have you been affected by floods, cyclones or bushfires?
INFO SESSION: Free legal help for small businesses and farms affected by natural disasters
Many small businesses, farms and sole traders don’t know what kind of free legal help is out here after facing the impacts of bushfires, floods or cyclones.
Watch our webinar hosted by Justice Connect Senior Lawyer Emma Ryan to find out how we can connect you with one of 10,000 pro bono lawyers in our network for legal advice or casework.
Emma takes you through how our program works, how to make a quick application online and what kind of legal matters we have responded to in communities impacted by natural disasters.
Free legal help in New South Wales
Legal Aid New South Wales
The Legal Aid NSW Disaster Response Legal Service provides free legal help for all individuals affected by a disaster.
The new Commonwealth funded Bushfire Legal Aid Scheme provides additional support for farmers and small business, who can now apply through a private lawyer for funding to assist with their legal costs
If you are an eligible small business owner or primary producer, your private solicitor can now apply for funding of $2000 to assist you to resolve your legal matter arising from the bushfires in 2019 and 2020, and up to $5000 for related expenses.
Additional funding is available in reasonable circumstances. If you have more than one bushfire related legal problem your solicitor may receive more than one round of funding for legal services and expenses.
For information on the Bushfire Legal Aid Scheme, contact your local solicitor, call the Legal Aid NSW Disaster Response Legal Service on 1800 801 529 or email disaster.response@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Financial Rights Legal Centre
Financial Rights Legal Centre assists consumers and small businesses affected by natural disasters including COVID-19, bushfires, hail storms, storms and drought. They also assist small businesses affected by natural disasters. They can provide advice, minor assistance and representation services.
Call them on 1300 663 464 (press 1 for disaster) or find more information on their website.
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