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eUnion: legal committee

Our union provides a wide range of services to members who require assistance responding to issues at work, including advice and representation on matters such as grievances, discipline and workplace injury.

Sometimes, issues may arise which are outside the scope of industrial matters which the union office can assist with and for which our members may need to obtain legal advice or representation - issues such as an appeal against a QComp decision, a damages claim for work-related injuries, or representation in a police investigation.

In these situations, our union may be able to extend financial assistance towards funding legal costs.

Requests for financial assistance towards legal costs are considered by a committee of union delegates drawn from our Executive and Council membership. Because our union has a limited legal funding budget, in evaluating such request the Legal Committee needs to consider a range of factors, which include but are not limited to:

1. The nature of the issue involved and the extent to which it arose of out the member’s employment or union activity;
2. The nature of the relief sought and treatment of similar applications
3. The cost involved in pursing the case in question;
4. The prospects of success in the case in question;
5. The level of financial hardship faced by the member;
6. The impact of the matter on the member and other members generally, including the benefit to be potentially gained by the member and other members from a successful resolution of the case;
7. The capacity to recover costs from others parties if the case is successful;
8. Whether the member can be represented by a lawyer on a speculative basis;
9. Whether the matter can be or could have been dealt with through alternative processes or by QPSU staff.
10. The extent to which the matter can be funded through alternative means.

The Legal Committee may require a member who receives funding towards legal costs to sign an agreement obliging the member to:

• provide authorisation for the QPSU to obtain and distribute any information relevant to the matter to the members of the Legal Committee for the purpose of determining an application for funding and monitoring the progress of an action funded by the QPSU;
• reimburse the QPSU to the amount of any costs awarded to the applicant if an action is funded by the QPSU; and
• provide an authorisation for any other matter the Legal Committee deems appropriate.

If you are experiencing a problem at work for which you may require industrial or legal assistance, you should first seek advice from the union office by calling 1800 177 244. The Committee may not reimburse you for costs incurred prior to seeking funding for our union if you did not discuss this with the union office first.

Requests for financial assistance towards legal costs should address the factors listed above wherever practicable, and be sent to the union office either by email at representation@qpsu.org.au, or fax to 07 3017 6233.

Legal Services

The Legal Committee ordinarily refers matters to, or seeks advice from, the firms recommended by our union. These are Sciaccas Lawyers and Consultants, Slater and Gordon Lawyers and Hall Payne Lawyers. These firms all also provide free initial consultations for QPSU members. CLICK HERE to find out more information or contact the firm of your choice.

Custodial Corrections Legal Insurance*

QPSU Custodial Corrections members participate in a group Legal Expenses Insurance scheme. This cover is funded by a fee levy for affected members. This insurance cover complements the industrial services provided by our union office by establishing a level of support for members involved in disputes concerning their home, their property, a personal injury or defence against an employment-related prosecution or inquiry.

If you feel you may possibly have a claim under this insurance, you should participate in a free initial consultation with one of our union’s recommended legal firms, who can advise you further about proceeding with a claim.

* Terms and conditions apply. Please contact our union office for more information about the operation of the custodial corrections group legal expense insurance.