Each year, thousands of small business owners do not pursue legal matters because they believe it will be too expensive and time-consuming.
The State Government, through the Small Business Development Corporation, is helping to address this by referring eligible clients to the John Curtin Law Clinic for pro bono legal services.
Curtin University Law School students have commenced their inaugural semester at the new clinic in Murray Street, Perth.
Final year students, supervised by qualified practicing lawyers, gain practical legal skills and specialist knowledge, while small business clients get access to legal advice and remedies they could not otherwise afford.
The small business sector is a valuable contributor to the State’s economy and the John Curtin Law Clinic is one of several providers of pro bono legal assistance for Western Australian small business owners in need.
From February to August 2017, the clinic has assisted 72 small business clients, free of charge. A total of 41 clients were referred by the Small Business Development Corporation.
Savings in legal fees for each small business client ranged from $3,000 to $9,000 per matter.