Lawyers say a shortage of workers outside metropolitan areas is straining the court system and leaving people in need without help.
The business, based in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, is down from six solicitors to just two and she cannot find replacements."I've actually never had to advertise positions before — it's always been through word of mouth, but now we're just not having people apply." Far North Coast Regional Law Society president Sean Radburn , Tracey Randall, Brett McGrath, and lawyer Jim Fuggle say country lawyers are in scant supply.The implications of not being able to gain legal representation have a flow-on effect for society, according to NSW Law Society president Brett McGrath.
"The law is complex — traffic law, for example is one of the most difficult areas of law, so some simple driving matters can end up being significantly harmful," Associate Professor Heilpern said. "The government sets the HECS fees and people walk out of getting a law degree with a debt of $70,000," he said.