Community
McCabe Terrill Lawyers is committed to an active Pro Bono programme. The activities that we participate in are not limited to the provision of legal services, but aim to contribute to the community and direct our services to where they are most needed.
The Committee’s activities range from charity fund-raising to the provision of technical expertise. The Committee consists of lawyers as well as support staff. The matters we are involved in range from supporting the homeless, to migration law advocacy and legal advice to community groups, indigenous groups and not for profit sporting clubs.
The Pro Bono Committee has a diverse array of beneficiaries, including:
Abana Inc.
Aussie Deaf Kids
Birrigan Gargle Local Aboriginal Land Council
Children Behaviour Clinic within the University of NSW
FOR A CURE Foundation
Inner City Legal Centre
Manly Rugby Football Club
The Traditional Land Owner of East New Britton & Papua New Guinea - Health and Education Foundation
The Victor Chang Institute
A portion of professional fees from several corporate clients are also donated to charitable institutions.
Various McCabe Terrill principals and employees provide their personal time in volunteer and other capacities to support community and charity endeavours. This includes:
Solicitors volunteering on a fortnightly roster providing free legal advice to the public at the Inner City Legal Centre, Darlinghurst.
Children Behaviour Research Clinic within the University of NSW – Assisting the University who are looking to start a foundation for Children's Mental Health Research in Australia. This foundation would fund research into the causes, understanding and treatment of conduct disorders, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and other childhood and adolescent mental health issues, and provide outreach programs for these children and their families within our clinic. At this point, almost all childrens’ research charities are focused on medical care, not mental health, but their research has shown that mental health issues of childhood and adolescence can be just as important, pervasive and prevalent in our community. The firm is setting up the foundation, putting the legal structures in place and giving ongoing advice.
The FOR A CURE Foundation takes the lead on new science in Australia – cancer stem cell research. The foundation supports scientists and researchers dedicated to embrace the research that will help find a cure. Principal, Terry McCabe is the Honorary Solicitor.
A continuation of the long standing relationship with the Manly Rugby Football Club, supporting the development of community sport through the provision of legal advice to the Club’s Board.
The pro bono committee also oversees the firm’s fundraising activities each year. Last year significant contributions were made towards the “Movember” cause and raising funds for the Black Dog Institute which assists with awareness education and treatment of depression related illnesses. The firm is also proud of the contribution it has made to the CranioMaxillo Foundation and the Victor Chang Institute.
All staff at McCabe Terrill are encouraged to become involved in pro bono activities, and lawyers are offered the opportunity to participate in the provision of free legal services.
Pro-Bono Committee Update
The Pro Bono team acting for D in the matter of D & Ors ats Director-General, Department of Human Services, successfully negotiated an agreement between DOHS, the child’s (E) separate representative and the couple with parental responsibility (Mr & Mrs F) regarding future contact between our client and her birth-daughter.
In 2007, Honourable Justice Brereton of the Supreme Court made orders in the matter for contact between E and her birth mother D and also provided the parties with liberty to restore the matter if a change of circumstances should arise. In 2010 following an incident between our client and Mr & Mrs F which ultimately led to criminal proceedings DOHS filed a notice of motion suspending all further contact between our client and her daughter until further order of the Court.
The Pro Bono team has had carriage of both the criminal and civil proceedings in this regard since that time. The Criminal proceedings were resolved with our client obtaining a Section 10 Bond from the Court which amounted to no conviction being recorded.
The negotiated settlement in the Supreme Court brings to a conclusion a matter that has been running for over 10 months, detailed affidavits were prepared and filed on behalf of D as well as expert evidence. The agreement now provides for a high degree of contact and will allow our client to have frequent continuing contact with her birth-daughter, avoiding the need for her to go through the court process, a very favourable outcome.
The Pro Bono committee had been assisting D prior to these proceedings in relation to issues arising from Honourable Justice Brereton’s orders, our client came to Australia as a Sudanese Refugee. D is now completing her social working qualification, is married and just gave birth to her third child. She has full residency and Australian citizenship. The committee has learned a great deal from her and this particular matter has allowed those who have worked on it the opportunity to meet a very inspirational person. Thanks must also go to Greg James QC who has assisted in the matter attending Court appearances and mediations as well as offering constant support and advice.