1980
Volunteer Solicitors Rally to Answer Call for Legal Assistance
The Inner City Legal Services Centre is established by local private solicitors who see a need for a legal centre in the area and seek funding from the Legal Aid Commission of NSW.
1981
Allen, Allen & Hemsley throw the Centre a pro bono
The Inner City Legal Services Centre gratefully receives its first pro bono solicitor from law firm Allen, Allen & Hemsley. It is hoped that many other local firms will follow their generous lead.
1982
Freedom At Last!
ICLC welcomes the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act which gives the Australian community a right of access to information in the possession of the Commonwealth. Importantly, the Act alsoprovides a right to seek internal and external review and for complaints to the Ombudsman.
1983
The Centre Formerly Known as…
The Inner City Legal Service officially changes its name to the Inner City Legal Centre.
1984
ICLC Celebrates the Act
To the great relief of ICLC and many of its clients the NSW Parliament passes the Crimes Amendment Act, 1984 which decriminalises adult male homosexual sex.
1985
ICLC Solicits Support
The Centre supports submissions for the deregulation of prostitution in NSW.
1986
Residents Lobby to Derail the System
The ICLC assists local residents in their opposition to the development of the Darling Harbour/City monorail system.
1987
CLCs say ‘No’ to the Australia Card
Community legal centres across Australia rally to resist the introduction of a national identity card.
1988
St Vincent’s Hospital Draws on ICLC Assistance for Wills
ICLC is regularly called upon by social workers at St Vincent’s Hospital to assist patients suffering from AIDS to draw up their wills.
1989
ICLC’s Immigration Assistance Expands its Borders
The immigration assistance offered by ICLC within the community expands to include referral from the Refugee Advice and Casework Service, The Torture and Trauma Centre, and Newtown Immigration Centre
1990
Defunding of Tenants’ Advice and Referral Services throughout NSW Fills the House
Large scale evictions of both private tenants and boarders and lodgers occur in the inner city, while Department of Housing waiting lists remain at over 80 000. Combined with the effects of the defunding of NSW tenants advice and referral services, these events see an increase in ICLC’s tenancy caseload.
1991
ICLC Opens its Doors to the Public
The Chief Justice of NSW The Hon Murray Gleeson formally opens the new premises at 94 Oxford Street Darlinghurst. A Law Society Trust AccountGrant funds the refurbishment of the premises.
1992
ICLC Kept Busy with the Newly Unemployed
As a result of the recession, ICLC’s workload in employment law dramatically increases with large numbers of workers laid off.
1993
Lesbians and Gay Men Come Out to Oxford Street for Specialised Legal Advice
ICLC and the Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby introduce the Lesbian and Gay Legal Rights Service on Wednesday evenings. This service represents ICLC’s early commitment to improving access to justice for gay men and lesbians.
1994
More than 140 Gay Men and Lesbians Exercise their Wills
ICLC successfully launches the Lesbian and Gay Wills Project, which raises $6000 in donations for the HIV/AIDS Legal Cenre, Twenty10 and the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby. Over 140 people take advantage of the Project to make new wills.
1995
Childbearing Status used to Exclude HIV Woman from Accessing Clinical Drug Trials
ICLC becomes involved in a discrimination test case for an HIV+ woman who has been denied access to a clinical drug trial solely on the basis of her potential childbearing capacity. Sadly the complainant dies before the Federal Court resolved the matter in her favour.
1996
ICLC Wins Major Victory in HIV and Homosexual Vilification Case
With the assistance of ICLC, a client who has been subjected to ongoing public harassment about HIV and homosexuality is awarded $50,000 damages for pain and suffering by the Equal Opportunity Tribunal. This is the first HIV and Homosexual vilification case in NSW.
1997
Unfairly Dismissed Employees find Guidance in New ICLC Publication
With funding from the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, ICLC publishes the much needed An Employees’ Guide to Unfair Dismissal.
1998
NSW Dept of Corrective Services Recognises the Special Needs of Transgender Inmates
After several years of lobbying, the Department of Corrective Services finally implements its Policy for the Management of Transgender Inmates.
The Policy’s release coincides with ICLC’s involvement in a District Court case in which a former transgender inmate sues the Department for its alleged breach of duty of care.
1999
The Community Learns the True Meaning of de-facto with a bit of Help from ICLC
After a long struggle by the gay and lesbian communities, the Property (Relationship) Legislation Amendment Act 1999 (NSW) is finally passed. ICLC has been involved in conducting ongoing community education campaigns around the new legislation and its expanded definition of de-facto.
2000
“My Man Went to War – So I am a War Widow”
ICLC assists a client who has been denied a war widow’s pension on the basis that the Veterans Entitlement Act 1986 excluded same sex couples from eligibility.
2001
Just What Every Girl Needs – A Self-Help Legal Guide to Self-Insemination
With funding from the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, ICLC publishes Talking Turkey, a guide to the legal issues surrounding information donor insemination arrangements in NSW
2002
ICLC Successful in Victims Compensation Tribunal Cliam for Sexual Assault Victims
With the assistance of ICLC, a victim of multiple sexual assaults is awarded $250 000, one of the largest amounts of compensation ever made under a Victims Compensation Tribunal (VCT) claim.
2003
Sperm Donors and Lesbian Mums Learn How to Agree
ICLC collaborates with the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby to provide information for sperm donors and lesbian mothers.
2004
ICLC Launches into Cyberspace with a Little Help from Lord Mayor Clover Moore
Lord Mayor Clover Moore launches the ICLC website, together with the resource Fined Out – a joint project of ICLC and Redfern Legal Centre.
2005
“Why Can’t I get my Surgery?”
ICLC becomes involved in a discrimination test case for a transgender client who has been denied access to gender affirmation surgery.
2006
Top Volunteer lawyer Recognised
Paul Boers, ICLC Board member and volunteer, is awarded the Combined Community Legal Centres Group Award at the Justice Awards, for providing volunteer advice around family law and gay and lesbian families.
2007
Transgender Woman Given Right to Travel the World
ICLC acts for a transgender woman who was denied an amended passport by the federal government because she was married. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was ordered to issue her a passport that says 'female'.
2008
KX is the Place To Be
ICLC moves to our new office on Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross opposite the Kings Cross Station.
2009
Cutting Edge services for marginalised communities
ICLC creates two world firsts: a legal advice service for intersex people, and the Safe Relationships Project: a service for people in same sex relationships, transgender people and intersex people who have experienced domestic violence.
2010
TAKE THAT Homophobic Vilifiers
ICLC, with extensive support from pro bono counsel, wins land-mark homophobic vilification case of Carter v Brown where client was awarded $35,000 in damages for vilification of him by several individuals on the basis of his sexuality.
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