Citizens Advice Bureau launches new service

In addition to existing services in Kwinana, Citizens Advice Bureau launched a new service in Rockingham in May.

The bureau’s low cost legal services are now available by appointments with solicitor Romana Simic, who visits both locations once a month.

Ms Simic specialises in family law and worked with Legal Aid when she was a student.

She now works for a Perth-based private firm as a family lawyer and decided to take on pro bono work with CAB.

“I first head of CAB through my work with Legal Aid and I thought it would be a great place to start,” Ms Simic said.

“I made contact with the organisation and was allocated to the Rockingham and Kwinana branches.

“Each month I am very busy but I enjoy helping people and making sure everyone feels empowered to do things on their own.

“Family law has a lot of self-represented people, so even if they just need some advice rather than ongoing assistance, I can help.”

Citizens Advice Bureau Rockingham has been assisting the community since 1979.

With ever-changing social, economic and political scenes, the branch has adjusted its services to respond to the rising demand of the community.

The Kwinana branch has been operating for about 18 months but has just formed a dedicated committee with Mayor Carol Adams voted in as the inaugural chairwoman.

She hopes the committee will be able to develop a focus on attracting more legal services to the branch.

“CAB is here and open for business and is a great volunteer organisation,” Cr Adams said.

“It is a warm-hearted agency filled with people who want to help.

“We have a clear growing need for this kind of service in our community and I would like to see more support services here to meet the demand.”

CAB is a not-for-profit organisation that was first established in WA in 1963, with the aim to provide an information service, linking people with their respective communities.

CAB operates with the assistance of over 280 visiting lawyers, mediators and other dedicated volunteers and comprises 10 branches across WA.

There is no asset or means test for people to access the help; CAB services are available to everyone.

The appointments will be released two weeks prior the appointment day.

To enquire, call Citizens Advice Bureau Rockingham on 9527 6671 or Kwinana on 9439 1251.