Consumer legal needs discussed

Press, 8 October 1987, Page 14

Consumer legal needs discussed

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CHRISTOPHER MOORE

‘ Community legal ▼ices most continue to rtopond to the needs of toe consumer, according to toe Natioqal CoMMon of Law Services. >

.A toree-day meettag in - Chrtstehnrch attended by representatives of toe group, ended with a . commitment >to toe principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the guiding princfefes outlined in toe community legal services reporLTe Whalnga I Te Tlka. <

The meeting, dOecribed by its organisers si toe “alternative Law. Conference,” rmphasHed that legal services that provide access to justice should actively promote “structural change.” They should also continue to reflect New Zealand's bicultural heritage, promote participatory jus-, tice and self-reliance, and be controlled by and be responsive to the consumers. “An example of this commitment is the "coalition's support for the recent formation of the Maori Legal Service in Wellington. It welcomes the service as a new member of the national body,” said a coalition spokesman, Mr Patrick O'Connor, yesterday. Delegates at the meeting supported a national training programme for paralegal workers. They would assist in the work for positive change in the legal structure by providing genuine access to justice for all people, Mr O'Connor said. The coalition will now make submission on these questions to the Government, local district law societies and the New Zealand Law Society.