Defence and Veterans Legal Service
I write to let you know about the new independent legal service to support participants in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS) is a free national service that will provide independent information and legal advice to support Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, as well as their families, carers and supporters, to safely share their experiences with the Royal Commission.
We are independent and separate from the Royal Commission, the Department of Defence, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. We are taxpayer funded through the Federal Attorney-General’s department and accountable to:
- Provide legal advice and information to members of the public and to assist Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, and their families, carers and supporters to access and engage with the Royal Commission.
- Provide a trauma-informed, culturally safe and accessible service nationally, including referral to counselling and other supports.
- Provide community outreach and liaison, and community information and education sessions.
- Operate for the duration of the Royal Commission.
This service will operate from Monday 1st November and will take inquiries on 1800 33 1800 (Freecall).
We will have a web site from Monday at https://defenceveteranslegalservice.org.au/ and I would encourage you to log on for more information, access to resources and referrals. You can also subscribe to our mailing list to stay informed of upcoming events and latest news.
Please see attached service brochure.
We are excited to get our offer of free assistance out to the veteran community and to work with your organisation in making our service and the Royal Commission responsive to the needs of veterans and their families and friends. To this end, could you share this email among your networks please?
We are very keen to hear from our stakeholders in the veteran community on all topics of interest or concern regarding the Royal Commission. For this, could you reply to this email, with the name of the best person for me to contact in your organisation and their contact details please?
I look forward to working with you to make the Royal Commission a success for ADF members, veterans and their families.
Best Regards,
Nicholas Warren
Community Engagement Officer (Mon – Wed)
Defence and Veterans Legal Service
W: defenceveteranslegalservice.org.au
P: 02 9219 5622
Information line: 1800 33 1800
