The University of Western Sydney's Parramatta Community Justice Clinic (PCJC) initiative has helped the most vulnerable in our community with free legal advice and support when they most need it.

Now, the PCJC will continue to reach out to the community with a series of information sessions aimed at educating people on a range of pressing legal issues.

The first forum in the series, the Immigration Law Information Evening, will be held at the Parramatta Town Hall from 6.00pm on Wednesday 10 November, 2010. The use of the Hall has been kindly donated by Parramatta City Council, who is an event partner of the forum.

Ms Michaela Byers, Acting Manager of the PCJC and a migration agent with extensive immigration law experience, will speak at the forum and provide information, particularly in the area of immigrants bringing their families to Australia.

"Migration lawyers provide a valuable service in completing forms and assembling applications. However, migration legislation and procedures are changing at a hectic pace and lawyers have to have the research skills to keep up-to-date and the ability to understand when decision makers get it wrong and what to do about it", says Ms Byers, who is also a lecturer at the UWS School of Law.

"In addition, it is unfortunate that the current government has reduced options available to migrants to legalise their stay in Australia, as too often tribunals and courts are the only options for migrants to take."

This community information session will also mark the commencement of a new service being offered by the PCJC. From the 18 November an Immigration Clinic will operate every Thursday between 10.00am and 1.00pm. A pro bono immigration law specialist will offer information and advice on a range of topics including humanitarian and temporary work visas.

Also on the night Michael Kah, from Kah Lawyers, will speak about business-sponsored visas. Michael was voted one of Australia's best lawyers for immigration in the Australian Financial Review in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He is also accredited as a specialist in Immigration Law by the NSW Law Society with over 18 years experience working for multinational employers and families.

Indra Ban, Information Services Librarian at Parramatta City Council Library, and a representative from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship will also speak on the night.

Event partner, the Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Resource Centre, have arranged for translators to interpret the forum in Dinka, Karen, and Farsi. Sign language interpreters will also attend.

To register, or for more information, contact the Parramatta Community Justice Clinic on (02) 8688 7873 or pcjc@uws.edu.au.

Please note: This event is an educational event. No personal legal advice will be given.

WHAT: Immigration Law Information Evening
WHEN: Wednesday 10 November, 6.00pm to 8.00pm
WHERE: Jubilee Room, Parramatta Town Hall, Church Street, Parramatta