YFS Legal
General legal advice for the Logan community, plus support and representation for young people under 25 with criminal law matters.
YFS Legal provides general legal advice to people in the Logan community and legal advice, support and representation for young people under 25 with criminal law matters.
For Students
UQ Pro Bono Centre Partnership: runs the Generalist Legal Task Clinic and Culturally Safe criminal law practice clinic. Students gain credit towards their law degree (LAWS5180).
The legal task clinic focuses on improving access to justice for the Logan community. Students undertake a variety of legal tasks under supervision of a lawyer including preparing Peace and Good Behaviour Order applications, Domestic and Family Violence Order applications and variations, Divorce applications, QCAT applications, letters of demand, Victims Assist applications and applications for a grant of Legal Aid. Students will have direct phone and face-to-face contact with clients. They may also be asked to help with legal research and the preparation of legal advice.
In the Culturally Safe criminal law practice clinic, students learn about culturally safe practice in criminal law. This unique clinic provides students with an opportunity to engage more deeply in the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples interacting with the criminal justice system and to develop an appreciation for the important work of Indigenous practitioners across the legal system. The first six weeks of placement focus on developing an understanding of the Youth Justice system, particularly surrounding the injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, while the last six weeks of the clinic see students undertaking practical exercises such as writing submissions and preparing cases for prosecution and defence.
Testimonials
Candice Hughes
Principal Solicitor - YFS Legal - 2025
I am a proud Kamilaroi woman and mother. I began my legal career later in life. I have performed duties in both sworn and unsworn capacity with the Queensland Police Service prior to my work in the community legal sector. I have worked in the community legal sector for the past eleven years. I fell in love with this sector when I did a clinical placement at a CLC during my degree. I felt my values aligned with the work CLCs do, and I wanted to be a part of this sector full of dedicated and brilliant professionals who were doing meaningful work.
I commenced work as a First Nations law clerk at Caxton Legal Centre during my degree. I then moved to Bayside Community Legal Centre as a Generalist Solicitor. I am currently the Principal Solicitor at YFS Legal, a community legal centre in Logan, where I work in youth justice.
I truly believe that our degrees are a privilege, which comes with several responsibilities, including supporting and guiding those that want to join this profession, and to give a voice and advocate for those that for whatever reason, do not have a voice, particularly our First Nations young people. I think this is the reason that I love working in youth justice.
My work week can consist of case preparation, court, attending youth detention centres, spending time with the Elders and in community, facilitating legal clinics, stakeholder meetings, developing and delivering community legal education, drafting law reform submissions, with a mix of principal solicitor responsibilities. I am lucky to have such diversity in my work. I am where I want to be.
Studying law, and this profession, can be stressful. My advice is to take care of yourself. You need to do this for yourself, your family, and professionally for your clients. Don't wait until you have joined the profession, do it now. And check in on your colleagues. Remember that it is ok not to have everything figured out. If you are undecided on your pathway, think about what you are passionate about, what drives you. Consider volunteering, reach out to trusted academic staff and/or speak to those in the profession, go to meet the profession events (or similar activities), or participate in extra-curricular activities such as mooting.