Caxton Legal Centre Inc. is committed to working with the community to improve the legal system. Our law reform activities might focus on improving the actual mechanics of the system, for example by making the courts more accessible or lobbying for increased legal aid. Sometimes, the Centre's law reform work will focus on changing unjust laws.

Law reform activities may also include writing submissions to government, highlighting injustices through the media and working with groups of people to lobby politicians. The areas in which the Centre will undertake law reform are largely determined by the community. For example, if it becomes obvious that the Centre is seeing increased numbers of clients with a particular type of problem, a decision may be made to address the problem through law reform activities designed to bring about a change in the law.

In the past, the Centre has been involved in a diverse range of law reform activities including calls for reform of cannabis laws in Queensland, child support legislation, health care changes, legislation affecting people living in retirement villages and the practices of businesses collecting debts.

Currently the Centre's law reform activities include:

• working as a key member of the Rights in Public Space action group (RIPS) to review the Vagrants, Gaming and Other Offences Act 1931 (Qld) in so far as it criminalises certain behaviour in public spaces e.g. begging & homelessness; Click here for RIPS website
• assisting Aboriginal workers to recover unpaid wages and savings; and
  
• ongoing efforts to change laws relating to child support to make a fairer system for both parents.

A recent successful law reform campaign led to changes in the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002 (Qld) to make it easier for community legal centres to advise personal injury victims.

If you would like to suggest a possible law reform activity or area of law reform focus, please feel free to contact the Centre.