About Us
Inner Melbourne Community Legal has been providing free legal services in inner Melbourne since its origins as the North Melbourne Legal Service in 1978.
IMCL has a small but dedicated team of staff who are generously supported by volunteer solicitors, barristers and law students. We work with and maintain close links with a wide range of local community groups, organisations, and associations.
IMCL has three main areas of work:
1. Specialised legal services in tenancy; family and family violence; crime and policing.
2. Community and integrated partnerships in health, education, housing, homelessness and court settings.
3. Law reform and strategic advocacy, including the Police Accountability Project and the campaign for an independent Police Ombudsman.
Our funding comes from state and federal government as well as pro bono assistance and support from our philanthropic partners and donors. We are a member of the Federation of Community Legal Centres and the National Association of Community Legal Centres.
In 2022, the catchment area of IMCL grew after it merged with Flemington and Kensington Community Legal Service, which had been working in that part of Melbourne since 1981.
In 2022, IMCL merged with Flemington and Kensington Community Legal Centre (FKCLC), which also has a rich history going back to 1981, and together they cover an expanded catchment area under the IMCL name with offices in North Melbourne and Kensington.
Find out more about our history here, and read our 2024-27 strategic plan here.