The region's unrepresented offenders are set to get a helping hand via a new "pro-bono" service, which will offer free legal advice to people facing court.
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Four private Wollongong law firms have banded together to staff the new scheme, which will kick off at Wollongong Courthouse tomorrow.
The pro-bono solicitor will provide people with simple information about their case and advise them of their legal options.
Solicitor Aaron Kernaghan said the program, inspired by similar initiatives at Sydney's Downing Centre, aimed to fill a growing gap between legal aid and private representation.
"There are a lot of people out there who don't qualify for legal aid but can't afford a private solicitor as they don't earn enough, so this is a way for private firms to assist the court," he said.
"This system will draw on the experience of many practitioners in the area, including senior solicitors, giving the solicitors the chance to spend time with people and give them solid advice."
The pro-bono solicitor will mainly operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, servicing the court's busy criminal and AVO lists.
Mr Kernaghan said magistrates would refer matters to the pro-bono solicitor, who would then assess whether they would merely offer advice or if they would appear for the person in court.
"It's really going to be on a case-by-case basis," he said.
The program will be staffed by Mr Kernaghan's firm, along with solicitors from Good Legal, Graeme Morrison Law and Helen Volk Legal.