Our Story

Caxton Community Legal Centre is Queensland’s oldest and largest generalist and specialist community legal centre.

In August 1976, Caxton opened its doors as the Baroona Legal Service, named for its location in the Baroona Hall on Caxton Street, Paddington. Established by young local lawyers and community activists, including Noel Nunan and Lorenzo Boccabella, in collaboration with John Flynn and Kevin Lambkin, the service was modelled on the Fitzroy Legal Service in Melbourne and was run entirely by a small group of volunteers.

Initially operating for just two hours each Monday evening and seeing only two people on its opening night, Caxton has grown significantly. Today, we employ more than 80 staff, are supported by approximately 200 volunteers, and assist around 30,000 people each year with free legal help and social support. Alongside individual services, we deliver community legal education and advocate for reform of unfair laws, policies and systems.

Caxton operates as part of a broader grassroots social movement responding to a clear and enduring problem: the legal system is inaccessible to many people, and too often operates without challenge or scrutiny. The law shapes every part of people’s lives. It must therefore be accessible to everyone, especially those excluded from power.

Human rights are not theoretical concepts for us. They are expressed in everyday realities -safety, autonomy, fair treatment, voice, and accountability. We have a long history of running public interest cases and empowering clients to participate in resolving their own problems. Dignity and agency are central to our practice.

Our independence has always been central. As a community-governed organisation, governed locally and guided by human rights principles, we are able to advocate for reform, critique government decisions and remain grounded in community experience.

Over time, our practice has evolved. We have developed specialist services, pioneered multidisciplinary legal and social support, and worked deliberately to reduce fragmentation in service systems. But our foundation remains the same: grassroots connection, community trust, and a commitment to justice that is practical, principled and courageous.

For 50 years, Caxton has connected people to the law and helped build a more just and inclusive Queensland.