The combination is expected to bolster Justice Connect’s presence in South Australia
SA-based not-for-profit legal service JusticeNet has announced that it will be merging with legal service charity Justice Connect.
Justice Connect will absorb JusticeNet’s employees, services and operations. It will leverage JusticeNet’s relationships in the state as well its expert knowledge of the local landscape. Moreover, the merger will maximise Justice Connect’s national infrastructure and technology to bolster its presence across Australia.
“By combining our resources, expertise, networks, and capabilities, we will be able to strengthen pro bono engagement and better support the increasing number of people that rely on our services. Our commitment to South Australia remains unchanged and we’re excited about what this merger means as we look to become stronger together while delivering greater impact”, said Scott Foreman, president of JusticeNet’s management committee, in a media release.
JusticeNet assists qualified South Australians with obtaining legal assistance if they struggle to fund legal representation. Foreman explained that the merger would strengthen JusticeNet’s ability to inspire systemic change.
The combination was finalised after more than two years of discussions, during which both organisations conducted due diligence. Implementation will now commence, with the merger set to complete before the end of the year.
Both Justice Connect and JusticeNet will remain open to working with clients, referral partners and pro bono members in the meantime. They indicated that they would provide more information as the merger is implemented.
“We’re always looking ahead to the changing needs of people seeking help and building the technology and systems to step up to the growing demand for our services. This merger will give us a stronger national footprint for us to enable our services, digital tools, and information to reach more communities”, said Brooke Massender, board chair at Justice Connect. “Together, we can open new pathways for people and not-for-profit organisations seeking legal help, bringing our vision of a world in which legal support is within everyone’s reach closer to reality”.
Justice Connect designs and conducts high-impact interventions bolstering access to legal support and advancing social justice.
Earlier this month, Legal Aid NSW teamed up with UNSW Law & Justice on an internship initiative that will see law students working with communities in Broken Hill, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga. The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also partnered with Law Squared on a business legal support line in July.
