Helping a young man attain compensation for being unlawfully detained in prison is among one of Olivia Brittain's highlights as a solicitor serving the community.

Looking out for those in the community who need help gaining legal assistance, Olivia works as managing solicitor at Baywide Community Law.

'Our aim is to ensure access to justice for people with unmet legal needs. We provide free legal advice to people on low incomes, to people with disabilities or other disadvantages,” says Olivia. 'If people don't qualify for legal advice, we can still give them information and point them in the right direction.”

The Baywide Community Law team provides legal advice and information for a range of problems including employment, financial disputes, tenancy and housing, criminal, family, Māori Land and issues for young people.

Successful outcomes

Olivia says that the team has been able to help 'some very deserving people” with legal needs who would not have been assisted if it wasn't for Baywide.

'Most people are very appreciative of our assistance and we have managed to secure a number of very successful outcomes for a lot of people,” says Olivia.

'One case in particular that I did was assisting a young man secure a compensatory payment for unlawful detention in prison – that's definitely been a highlight.”

Before Olivia joined the Baywide Community Law team in 2021, she had been a barrister specialising in criminal law and has more than 15 years of experience practicing law.

Now, Olivia helps people in a range of areas at Baywide in a way that fits with her personal values.

'I've always been passionate about helping people who are economically, culturally or socially disadvantaged and I felt that Baywide Community Law service is an organisation which helps people exactly like that meet their unmet needs.”

She describes working with her colleagues at Baywide as extremely rewarding.

'We've got a great team.”

Accessible Education

Baywide Community Law also provide legal education sessions to the community for free.

'We've recently led a couple of very successful education sessions covering protection orders, police safety orders, and domestic violence leave entitlements, powers of attorney and wills,” says Olivia.

Baywide welcomes suggestions from community organisations regarding topics they would like to learn about.

Legal advice from the Baywide Community Law team can be given over the phone, online via Zoom or in-person at their offices.

For more information contact 0800 905 916 or email tauranga@baywidecls.org.nz

Keep an eye out for their new website coming soon at www.baywidecls.org.nz Or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/BaywideCommunityLaw