Consumer Credit Legal Service (WA) Inc.

Consumer Credit Legal Service (WA) Inc. (CCLSWA) is a not-for-profit charitable organisation which provides legal advice and representation to consumers in WA in the areas of credit, banking and finance. CCLSWA also takes an active role in community legal education, law reform and policy issues affecting consumers. The organisation is funded by the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments through the Community Legal Services Program to provide free legal advice to the Western Australian public, including those residing in rural and remote regions. Solicitors at CCLSWA assist clients by providing the advice and information to enable them to resolve their problems. CCLSWA strives to equip callers with the knowledge and tools to self-advocate whenever possible. As well as providing advice, CCLSWA will assist clients to access cost-free industry dispute resolution bodies, such as the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Credit and Investments Ombudsman. CCLSWA may also assist clients to self-advocate in the Supreme Court and the Magistrates Court. Occasionally, staff may agree to represent a clients in legal proceedings in the courts and or the State Administrative Tribunal, depending on the needs of the client, the complexity of the case and our existing case loads. CCLSWA is active in community legal education. Through the use of the media, seminars and publications, we aim to raise general public awareness of consumer rights in the area of credit, banking and financial services. CCLSWA provides a consumer voice in Western Australia in relation to policy issues and proposed reforms of Western Australian legislation, and nationally on issues such as reforms to the National Consumer Credit Code. Other key policy activities are directed at lobbying for changes to unfair industry practices. In such policy activities, CCLSWA aims to work with other consumer groups to present a consolidated consumer voice