ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the context of a historical analysis of community legal centres, the connections between Australian community legal centres and university law schools, in particular how the current economic, political and social environment might affect this relationship. Ironically community legal centres have been embraced by government in an attempt to solve the 'legal aid crisis' and live in harmony with the legal profession. Community legal centres are no longer on the fringe of the legal aid system but are considered to be an essential element of the system by both government and the legal profession. The expansion in clinical legal education programs remains focused on the provision of community legal services in particular within community legal centres and other legal aid agencies. The first Australian community legal centres began operating in the state of Victoria in the early 1970s. Community legal centres are categorised into generalist and specialist centres.
