Empowering the Filipino Community through Free Legal Seminar

The AUSLAW Partners, in collaboration with the Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc. (‘Foundation’), held a free legal seminar for members of the Filipino community on 23 June 2024, from 11 AM to 1 PM, at the Philippine Multi-Purpose Centre, Coopers Plains, Brisbane.

The seminar aimed to equip attendees with essential legal knowledge. It also addressed pressing issues such as domestic violence, property buying in Queensland, and the intricacies of inheritance and wills. The event drew more than 20 participants who actively engaged with the speakers and contributed to the enriching discussions.

Mr Mauro Somodio, the Foundation's Founding President, started the seminar by welcoming the participants and the speakers from AUSLAW Partners. He acknowledged the presence and support of the Board of Directors and volunteers.

The first topic was discussed by Mr Dan Rico, a paralegal from AUSLAW Partners and a lawyer from the Philippines. He gave a brief session about Domestic Violence. He elucidated what constitutes domestic violence, the common examples of abuses, and crucial signs of domestic violence. He empowered attendees by outlining steps to seek help and secure a domestic violence order from the court to protect the victims. He ended his talk by encouraging the participants to do their part in protecting the members of the Philippine community against domestic abuse.

Mr Julis Kho, an associate solicitor at AUSLAW Partners, followed with an informative talk about property buying in Queensland. Mr Kho simplified complex yet important contract clauses and discussed various forms of ownership under the law. He also discussed the usual process of buying property and provided practical solutions to common property acquisition challenges, ensuring participants were well-informed and prepared.

The last topic was discussed by Mr. Tony Chee, Founding Partner of AUSLAW Partners, who delved into the critical topic of Inheritance & Wills. Mr Chee navigated through the implications of dying with or without a will, detailing inheritance laws and the legal ramifications of different types of powers of attorney. His insights on executing wills and powers of attorney resonated deeply with the audience.

After the last topic, there was a lively Q&A session, and most of the questions were about buying and selling property and executing wills.

After the Q&A, Mr Somodio, the foundation's Founding President, thanked the AUSLAW Partners for facilitating the event. "The seminar was a testament to our commitment to the Filipino community," he remarked. “The knowledge shared today will undoubtedly empower individuals facing legal challenges and enable them to navigate these complexities confidently," he added.

In a gesture symbolising ongoing collaboration, the Foundation and AUSLAW Partners formalised their partnership by signing the "Collaboration Certificate," paving the way for future joint initiatives to support the community further through activities such as legal seminars.

The event concluded on a hospitable note. Participants enjoyed simple snacks prepared by the Foundation, fostering a sense of camaraderie common in the Filipino community.

For those who missed this event, stay tuned for future collaborations and opportunities to engage with legal experts. These are part of empowering Filipinos who feel that they do not have power and ensuring that no member of the community is left without the knowledge and resources they need.

AUSLAW Partners is a leading multicultural law firm in Australia. It provides services for property, commercial, immigration, family, criminal and civil litigation, and succession law. Its main office is at The Precinct, 14 Browning Street, South Brisbane, QLD. For legal services, you can call them at +61 1300 0123 00 or send an email to info@auslaw.com.au.