What particular skills do lawyers need?
Volunteer lawyers usually undertake responsibilities in accordance with levels of training and experience. While desirable, it is generally not necessary for volunteer lawyers to have prior legal experience or to be currently practising in the legal areas which generalist CLCs provide legal advice and assistance. Volunteer lawyers are, however, expected to be committed to learn new areas of law and are often asked to inform their clients at CLCs that they are not experts in the area of law in which they are providing advice. Some CLCs have specialist advice nights which may require, or prefer, their volunteer lawyers to have some experience or at least interest in that legal area in order to advise clients. Different CLCs have different policies regarding volunteer lawyers so potential volunteer lawyers should always seek clarification from the particular CLC as to their requirements.
