Central Otago REAP is collaborating with Community Law Otago (CLO) to help Central residents understand their legal rights and responsibilities through a free one day workshop.

A wide range of topics will be covered, including employment rights, wills, caring for those without capacity (enduring power of attorney, protection of personal property rights), consumer rights and managing debt, family law (separation, family property and caring for children) and tenancy rights.

CLO spokesperson Jessie Musgrove said people could tailor the day to suit themselves and could come and go as they wished.

“Each talk [on a topic] runs for 50 minutes with time at the end for questions.

“The questions we can answer . . . are usually general and related to the talk itself.

“If people have specific issues or scenarios that they’re dealing with, we are happy to help book them an appointment so we can offer them tailored legal advice [for] their situations . . . this ensures they’re getting the time and support that they need. If someone needs legal aid, we may be able to help them with organising this.”

Jessie said the aim of the workshop was to reach the communities CLO provides legal advice to, who have, until now, been missed by CLO’s legal education programme.

There are 25 spots available per workshop topic and if it goes well, organisers said they would be keen to run it again or offer it in other locations. 

CLO’s legal education programme has been operating in Otago for the past 43 years.

The October 14 workshop runs from 9am to 2pm.

People need to register online at Central Otago REAP’s website.

For more information email [email protected]