Two of the longest-serving Baywide Community Law Service volunteers, Michelle de Jong, left, and Kathy Poultney help provide free legal advice to needy clients. Photo / Andrew Warner
Two of the longest-serving Baywide Community Law Service volunteers, Michelle de Jong, left, and Kathy Poultney help provide free legal advice to needy clients. Photo / Andrew Warner
Baywide Community Law Service has clocked up 10 years offering free legal advice to the needy and vulnerable in the community.
Volunteers, staff, past and present trustees and a number of local dignitaries gathered at the service's head office in Willow St yesterday to celebrate the important milestone.
Baywide is a registered charitable trust which relies on funding from the Ministry of Justice, donations and its dedicated volunteers to continue to keep its doors open.
From its humble beginnings in a porta cabin located next to Tauranga Citizen's Advice Bureau in early July 2005, Baywide has come a long way.
A part-time office was opened in Whakatane in August 2006, with fortnightly outreach clinics in Opotiki, which ultimately became a full time office in July 2007.
Plus there are outreach clinics in Greerton, Te Puke, Katikati, Waihi, Opotiki, Kawerau and Omaio, drop-in clinics twice weekly in Tauranga.
Baywide Trustee chairperson Rob Lyford said Baywide was the brainchild of some women from Tauranga Women's Refuge, Citizens Advice Bureau and the Tauranga court.
A trust was formed in October 2014 and Baywide opened its doors on July 4, 2005.
Mr Lyford said the service had helped thousands of needy people each year with their legal problems with the help of lawyers who did the work pro-bono and other volunteers.
"There are a lot of people who are doing this [work] for nothing and their attitude and dedication has made this country a better place," he said.
Two of Baywide's longest-serving volunteers, Kathy Poultney and Michelle de Jong, will both graduate from University of Waikato with law degrees later this year.
Founding Baywide staff member and paralegal Jan Whiting.
Mrs de Jong said: "This is a hugely critical service. Often people are lost, confused and don't know what their rights are. Some are close to breaking point, and don't know what to do.
"It's hugely satisfying to help people and see them walk out of the door having some clarity, and knowing what they should do next," she said.
Founding part-time staff member and paralegal Jan Whiting, 69, said: "I have been here from day one, and I'm passionate about family law and helping people with domestic violence legal problems. People often end up at Baywide because they find there is nowhere else to go".
Guest speaker Associate Minister of Justice Simon Bridges said Baywide Community Law played a vital role in helping to maintain "a just society" by ensuring the most vulnerable in our community had access to justice.
"Together you help around 5000 people [a year] in the Bay of Plenty community with their legal needs. This means over 6500 hours of legal assistance, advice and representation.
"This is a massive commitment to the people of our region.
"We cannot underestimate the difference your services makes to individuals, their families and the community.
"Access to justice is at the heart of the rule of law and you are not just talking about it but doing it day in, day out.
"So you are really all unsung heroes of the justice system."
Also in attendance were Tauranga Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout and Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson, Judge Paul Geoghegan, solicitors from several Tauranga law firms, and community organisations, including Citizens Advice Bureau.
