What is the University of the South Pacific Community Law Centre?

The University of the South Pacific (USP) Community Law Centre is a fully operational law firm which works closely with but independent of Legal Aid, Fiji. The Centre became operational in March 2011 and is the second such facility operated by USP, the first being the USP Community Legal Centre, Port Vila, Vanuatu which is situated on Emalus campus, the home to the USP School of Law. The Port Vila Centre was the first student based community legal centre in the South Pacific region.

What is a Community Legal Centre?

A community law or legal centre is like any other law firm but specifically provides legal advice and assistance to members of the public who cannot afford a lawyer.

Community legal centres also provide legal information to the community so that more people are aware of their legal rights and obligations.

Who runs the USP Community Law Centre?

The USP Community Law Centre, Suva is operated by final year students (‘Student Advisers’) who are enrolled in the Law Degree unit ‘Law Clinic’ and work under the close guidance and supervision of a member of the School of Law who is an experienced and qualified lawyer admitted as a Solicitor and Barrister to practice in Fiji.

Student Advisers attend the Centre one day per week each week and at such other times as are necessary to meet the needs of their clients, for example when attending court.

Student Advisors interview clients about their legal problems and then consult with the Manager before advising their clients. The Manager often meets with the clients and represents them in Court.

What services does the Community Law Centre provide?

The Centre provides clients with assistance in relation to civil matters such as family law (divorce, child custody, contact and maintenance, spouse maintenance, and matrimonial property settlement);and release of monies from FNPF.

The Centre provides oral and written advice, attempts to negotiate settlement of matters without recourse to litigation; assists with mediation; and prepares court documents and other legal documents. The Centre represents its clients at Court.

Where is the Community Law Centre?

The Community Law Centre is temporarily located at: Level 2 Government Buildings (Old Wing) Suva FIJI

and from April 2011 will be situated in the Legal Aid Building, Loftus Street, Suva, FIJI.