ARC Linkage Project to examine trauma-informed practices in public legal services

Researchers from the La Trobe Law School and the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport have received an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant for their project on the use of trauma-informed practices in publicly funded legal services.

Trauma-informed practices are widely recognised for their effectiveness across various service sectors. But, this project will be the first controlled implementation and empirical research of these practices in publicly funded legal services.

Partnering with Legal Aid Commissions in New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory, the research team will assess the impact of training, supervision and coaching on legal service delivery.

Lead researcher, Associate Professor Chris Maylea, hopes the work will lead to “enhanced client experiences and improved legal outcomes and set new standards in legal assistance.”

“This strategic research alliance promises significant community benefits by developing an evidence-base for trauma-informed practices in the Australian legal system.”

Acting Dean of the La Trobe Law School, Professor Lorne Neudorf, welcomed the announcement.

"This funding success highlights the outstanding research performance and culture at La Trobe Law School, where our scholars are leading the way in carrying out impactful legal research," he says.