COURT AS LAST RESORT?

If the Legal Aid Commission was set up in 1990 it seems some reorganisation and more money is needed to work efficiently today.

Legal Aid should not be allowed to be denied and cases delayed for Tasmanians.

Too many people have no money for rent or food, no job and find themselves in front of courts not knowing how they got there, because of he said, she said, somebody suing because having been offended by something.

A criminal case is presented quickly by police playing by the book and Legal Aid soon overwhelmed sorting through issues.

Maybe a great number of cases could be solved before going to court by mediation, counselling, negotiators and some mental health consultation.

Processing people in the justice system could do with more speed, money and lawyers with enough income to be able to help people navigating through problems and the law.

H. Stevenson Lauderdale