Public Interest

Pro Bono

Holding Redlich has a substantial national pro bono program. All practice areas do some pro bono work, with the overriding principle that this must be done as proficiently and promptly as our fee paying work

Holding Redlich has acted in a number of major public interest cases. The Stolen Generations litigation and the action taken to free the asylum seekers on the 'Tampa' are examples in past years where we acted to preserve or enhance individuals' rights.

In 2008 the firm  represented the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation in a constitutional challenge to the Commonwealth’s intervention into NT Aboriginal communities. 

In 2010 the firm acted for two asylum seekers who arrived at Christmas Island, in a successful application to the High Court to establish rights to judicial review of the decision to reject their applications.  Following on this decision, the firm is acting for a number of asylum seekers in judicial review proceedings.

In 2011 the firm successfully acted for a group of prominent Aborigines in action  against the  Herald and Weekly Times Limited and Andrew Bolt under the Racial Discrimination Act.  Although the case was undertaken on a pro bono basis, a proportion of costs are likely to be recovered from the defendant.

The firm also acted for two clients with intellectual disabilities in an unsuccessful challenge to the method of setting wages in disability business services (formerly called sheltered workshops).  That matter is being appealed.

Holding Redlich lawyers are acting for several parents in a challenge to the way in which Special Religious Instruction is provided in Victorian public schools; the case will be heard in VCAT later in the year.

We have assisted individual clients in numerous matters.  Examples include:

• Refugee and immigration matters, such as appeals against rejection of asylum claims, cancellation of visas and unjustified detention.
• Discrimination on grounds of race, religion, disability and gender in employment and provision of services.
• Disadvantaged clients facing loss of their homes to credit providers.
• Aboriginal organisations  and individuals in heritage, contractual and property-related matters

Holding Redlich lawyers see clients at a Homeless People’s Legal Clinic in Brisbane and a Seniors Rights Legal Clinic in Melbourne.

We also advise a number of community organisations in a wide range of matters, including establishment issues, trusts, tax issues, employment, defamation, dispute resolution and contracts.

Organisations advised by Holding Redlich in the last 12 months include Asylum Seekers’ Resource Centre, Brisbane Youth Services, Cardiomyopathy Association, CERES Community Environment Park, Cerebral Palsy Support Network, Community Legal Centres NSW Inc, Radio 3CR, GetUp, International Women’s Development Agency, Kids Under Cover, Kolling Foundation, National Council of Jewish Women, Riding for the Disabled (NSW), STREAT Inc, SuperFriend, WAYS Youth Services, and Wyoming Community Centre.

Holding Redlich is a member of the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane from which referrals are made for pro bono assistance, as well as from a number of community legal centres.

Human Rights and Social Justice

The firm sponsors the Distinguished Visiting Fellow Program for the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University and provides placement for students undertaking the Centre’s Advanced Professional Practice (Human Rights) undergraduate subject. 

The Holding Redlich Social Justice Fund (a sub-fund of the Melbourne Community Foundation)   is a firm wide initiative to promote social justice in the community at a grass roots level, through a structured program of philanthropic giving.  Donations to the fund from staff are matched by the partners. 

Funds raised by staff go to projects which assist disadvantaged young people access training, education, employment, housing and health services.  The fund currently supports the Ardoch Youth Foundation in Melbourne, Don Bosco House  run by Youth Off the Streets in Melbourne and Brisbane Youth Services.

Arts

Linked to our extensive media and entertainment practice, Holding Redlich is a strong supporter of a number of established and emerging arts groups.  Arts organisations which receive support through sponsorship or the provision of pro bono legal advice include the AFI Awards, Arts Law Centre, Emerging Writers Festival, Express Media, Griffin Theatre, Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Popcorn Taxi, National Gallery of Victoria, Rawcus Theatre Company, Red Dust Theatre, Salon des Refuses, Screen Producers Association of Australia, St Martin's Youth Arts Centre and Tropfest.

Our partners and staff regularly lecture on legal areas impacting on the arts, including film.  We accept requests for assistance from the Arts Law Centre of Australia.