In the midst of the bushfire crisis, the University of Newcastle Legal Centre’s annual Law on the Beach pop-up clinic will soon kick off, offering people free legal advice on any law-related matter, including bushfire insurance claims.

Staffed by law students, social work students, and lawyers, Law on the Beach provides an opportunity for people to ask questions on all legal matters, from tenancy issues to employment.

Held in the relaxed setting of Merewether Surf Life Saving Club, the clinic aims to improve accessibility and approachability to legal services.

Director of the University of Newcastle Legal Centre, Shaun McCarthy, said he hoped Law on the Beach would also provide an easy avenue for locals who may have been affected by the bushfires to seek free legal support.

“Our thoughts are with communities across NSW in view of the terrible bushfire season that we are experiencing. University of Newcastle Legal Centre offers free legal advice to the community and to anyone that may have been impacted,” Shaun said.

“Our Law on the Beach Clinic will operate weekly from 22 January and we are pleased to offer support in relation to any legal issue as well as specific support for anyone who has been impacted by the fires.”

In conjunction with the opening of the Older Persons Legal Clinic last year, Law on the Beach 2020 will also offer older persons assistance with matters such as wills, family law, and neighbourhood disputes.

Now in its 17th year, the Law on the Beach initiative has supported more than 2000 individuals with free legal advice.

The clinic will run between 9:30am and 2:30pm on Wednesday 22, 29 January, and 5, 12, 19 February at Merewether Surf Lifesaving Club on a drop-in basis, so no appointment is necessary.

IMAGE | Law on the Beach returns in 2020 after success of 2019.