Marrickville Legal Centre

Tell us about Marrickville Legal Centre. What is your mission?

Marrickville Legal Centre (MLC) is a not-for-profit community legal centre based in Sydney’s inner west and working across New South Wales. MLC offers free legal advice and assistance to the community of the inner west, south-west, southern suburbs of Sydney, and beyond. There are 1.5 million people living in MLC’s key catchment: that’s 30 per cent of Sydney’s total population. We provide holistic support to people experiencing disadvantage in the legal system through free and affordable legal services. The organisation advocates for equal access to justice, the protection of human rights, and works to improve local communities.

What are your programs/initiatives and why do you run them?

Justice is for all people, not just for a few. MLC recognises that some members of the community experience greater barriers to accessing services than others. MLC provides free and affordable legal services to eliminate those barriers and promote a fair and equitable justice system that supports all people, especially those who experience social or economic disadvantage. These services include:

• General Legal Service
• Domestic Violence Service
• Family Law Service
• Tenancy Advice and Advocacy
• Youth Legal Service NSW
• Strata Service NSW
• Low-Cost Legal Service

MLC operates regular, free legal advice clinics both in-person with partner organisations and remotely, ensuring the community can access help in the way that best suits their circumstances. MLC also provides duty lawyer services, giving clients immediate representation or advocacy when they are in Court or at a Tribunal. This real-time support ensures that people who might otherwise be unrepresented can navigate a difficult environment. In addition to direct legal assistance, MLC delivers free community legal education sessions and actively participates in community outreach, committees, and inter-agencies across our catchment. This broader engagement ensures that MLC is not only responding to legal need but contributing to systemic improvements and community wellbeing.

How do you involve volunteers in your programs?

Volunteers and supporters are the lifeblood of MLC. Their dedication enables the organisation to connect more people in the community to accessible justice. MLC offers a range of opportunities for individuals to contribute their skills and time:

• Intake support: By joining our frontline support as a Client Intake Officer, volunteers can help MLC clients by assessing their needs and referring them to the appropriate solicitors and legal services. Most volunteer shifts are daytime, however, opportunities for evening shifts are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Volunteer solicitors: Qualified lawyers who want to give back can volunteer their expertise either during the day or at MLC’s evening legal clinics on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, offering advice on various areas of law that MLC assists.
• Administrative support: Volunteers with administrative skills can assist the MLC team with tasks like data entry, filing, preparing reports and general office duties.
• Corporate/Specialist support: Volunteers with expertise in technology, data and digital transformation, accounting and finance, human resources, strategy and management consulting, marketing, communications, and fundraising help strengthen MLC’s organisational capacity. Their professional skills enable the MLC management team to enhance operations, pursue innovation, and ensure the centre is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves.
• Governance: Volunteer board members and subcommittee members provide strategic direction, fiduciary oversight, and organisational leadership. Their expertise in areas such as law, finance, risk management, and public policy helps guide MLC’s long-term strategy, ensures accountability and compliance, and strengthens the organisation’s capacity to fulfil its mission of improving access to justice.

How do your volunteers make a difference in the community?

Everyone at MLC is working towards the common goal of improving access to justice in the community. MLC volunteers make a difference across every dimension of the organisation. MLC Client Intake Officers are often the first point of contact for people seeking help. By assessing client needs and connecting them with the right services, they ensure that no one is turned away without support. Volunteer Solicitors bring a wealth of legal expertise to the daytime and evening clinics, providing advice and representation that many clients could not otherwise afford. Together, these frontline volunteers directly expand MLC’s reach and allow MLC to assist more people across the community. Behind the scenes, MLC Administrative Support volunteers keep operations running efficiently through data entry, filing, and general office duties – enabling solicitors and caseworkers to focus on delivering legal services. Corporate and Specialist volunteers contribute professional expertise in areas such as technology, finance, human resources, marketing, and strategic planning, strengthening MLC’s organisational capacity and help it operate with the rigour and professionalism of a much larger organisation. At the governance level, volunteer Board and Subcommittee members provide strategic oversight, ensure accountability, and guide MLC’s long-term direction – ensuring the organisation remains sustainable, well-governed, and true to its mission.

Do you have any stories from your volunteers?

Volunteers are at the heart of everything MLC does, and their stories are often the most inspiring part of the organisation’s work. In fact, volunteers are celebrated every month through the Vollie Vox series which puts a spotlight on the incredible people who give their time, energy, and heart to MLC. Volunteers continually surprise and inspire the MLC team with their creativity, resilience and generosity, and Vollie Vox provides an opportunity to share those moments with the wider community. You can read the Vollie Vox features on the MLC website.

What resources and services have helped to support your volunteer involvement?

The Centre has been an invaluable support in strengthening MLC’s volunteer involvement. Their volunteer applications have helped diversify the volunteer base, and networking opportunities they provide with other not-for-profits have opened the door to shared learning and collaboration across the sector. They also maintain regular contact with MLC around the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement, which has been especially helpful in ensuring the organisation continues to embed best practice and provide a safe, meaningful and well‑structured experience for its volunteers.

Why did your organisation become a member of The Centre? What benefit has it brought your organisation?

MLC became a member of The Centre to ensure its volunteer program was grounded in best practice and connected to the broader volunteering community. As a small not-for-profit organisation, having access to expert guidance, sector insights and practical tools was incredibly important. Membership has brought significant benefits. The Centre’s resources – from volunteer applications to guidance on the National Standards – have helped MLC strengthen its internal processes and create a more consistent, supportive experience for the volunteers.

What have you learnt about the value of volunteering and/or volunteer management?

Through talking to volunteers and involvement with The Centre, MLC has learnt that volunteering is incredibly powerful: not just for clients, but for the sense of connection and community it creates for volunteers. MLC also realised how important good volunteer management is. Clear processes, good communication, and following the National Standards make sure volunteers feel supported and confident in their roles. When volunteers feel valued and looked after, everything runs more smoothly and the experience is better for everyone.

What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering?

People who choose to volunteer with MLC play a vital role in ensuring people have access to justice, regardless of background or socio-economic status. MLC is known for its passionate team and commitment to social justice, and you’ll be working alongside like-minded individuals who are dedicated to helping others. Individuals with strengths in frontline client support, legal practice, administration, or specialist fields such as technology, finance, human resources, or strategic planning can find meaningful volunteer roles at MLC. Qualified solicitors can provide legal advice directly through the MLC clinics, while those with corporate or professional expertise can help strengthen the systems and strategies that underpin its services. For those with experience in governance, risk management, or organisational leadership, MLC also offers opportunities to contribute at the Board and Subcommittee level – helping shape the strategic direction of a respected community legal centre. Volunteering at MLC is a fantastic opportunity to make a genuine difference in your community while developing new skills, networking with legal and other professionals, and gaining valuable experience in a not-for-profit setting.

 LEARN MORE ABOUT MARRICKVILLE LEGAL CENTRE

Membership

The Centre is proud to support organisations like Marrickville Legal Centre doing important work in the community.

The Centre for Volunteering has been invaluable. They have helped diversify the volunteer base, and provided networking opportunities and access to expert guidance, sector insights and practical tools.

 

– Marrickville Legal Centre