Phoenix Legal Solutions

16/01/2023

We're proud to be assisting Coalition Against Duck Shooting in this important litigation in Victoria's Civil and Administrative Tribunal. We're fighting for a greater level of transparency and accountability from Victoria's Game Management Authority. Victoria's waterbirds should be protected from recreational cruelty and violence. Please support Coalition Against Duck Shooting's important campaign.

VCAT LEGAL CHALLENGE
WHAT DOES THE GMA HAVE TO HIDE?

The Coalition Against Duck Shooting will challenge Victoria’s Game Management Authority at a preliminary online VCAT hearing on Thursday, 19 January 23 at 2pm.
CADS is fighting for information that relates to a GMA taxpayer funded trip to Denmark to obtain information about lowering duck shooting wounding and cruelty rates (which is in itself a positive move).
However, the GMA being a major player in the brutality and cruelty that duck shooters inflict on Australia’s sentient native waterbirds, is refusing to release certain documents relating to its fact-finding trip. Laurie Levy

(CADS will be represented by Daniel Beecher, Principal Lawyer, Phoenix Legal Solutions).

03/12/2022

Every Australian animal protection organisation is opposed to rodeos. It's not entertainment, it's animal abuse. We're proud to have represented these brave women, let their courage guide us toward a kinder future 💚

THANK YOU! ❤

The ten brave women who demanded an end to rodeos by occupying the Bendigo arena have managed to avoid all legal fees due to many generous donors.

Our online fundraising campaign does not accurately reflect the funds raised as several people wanting to remain anonymous donated directly to our bank account.

We will close the fundraiser in 24 hours - leaving it open a little longer in case anyone would like to add a little on top to be directed towards our campaign efforts kicking off next year 👉https://chuffed.org/project/saynotorodeo

A joint statement from the ten Vegan Rising ‘Say No To Rodeo’ activists 👇

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!❤ for reducing our personal burden by donating to our legal fees. This has come as a very welcome relief for many of us.

Whilst we stand by our actions in Bendigo that brought this brutal display of animal abuse to a crashing halt, as activists, we also understand there may be consequences to our actions so long as we live in a world where the blatant abuse of animals for entertainment is not only legal but still supported by some very small sectors of society.

Whilst we have been punished for doing what is right and just, we appreciate the court's seeming understanding that our motivations are altruistic, with the aim of making a better and kinder world for those most vulnerable. We also appreciate the court's acknowledgement that freedom of protest is a democratic right.

The rodeo is one of the most blatant forms of animal abuse that exists in this country today. It has very strong public opposition and we are confident it has the potential to be made illegal in the not-too-distant future, as was done in the ACT in 1992.

Our actions stated loud and clear that people must stop supporting acts of violence against animals and start supporting the limitless cruelty free forms of entertainment that exist. Bendigo is a creative and vibrant regional hub. It can do so much better than this, as can all of our regional towns. Councils need to do their part by promoting kind forms of entertainment and working to find ways to prevent such brutal displays of violence occurring in their towns.

This action was the beginning of the 'Say No To Rodeo' campaign that we do plan to continue, as we work towards legislative change.

Thank you for caring and thank you also to Phoenix Legal Solutions for your representation and commitment to true justice.
Much love and gratitude from the team at Vegan Rising ❤

12/05/2020

A heartbreaking outcome! 😥

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-08/brumby-culling-to-go-ahead-following-federal-court-decision/12228896

Please visit the Australian Brumby Alliance's page and show your support: www.facebook.com/BrumbyHorses/

The culling of feral horses in Victoria's Alpine National Park will go ahead after the Federal Court ruled that alpine brumbies should not be protected.

28/12/2019

We're proud to have represented these ground-breaking protesters as they conveyed their important message. www.watchdominion.com

Dozens of vegan activists have avoided criminal convictions over a protest which shut down parts of central Melbourne.

25/04/2019

Senior citizens taking to the streets and fighting for a better future = faith in humanity restored

13/06/2018

A nice throwback to the time we fought Knox City Council all the way to the highest court in the land, and were ultimately able to rescue Izzy from death row.

The nation's highest court has ruled in favour of a Melbourne dog on death row, but the council involved will continue pursuing the pooch despite spending about $600,000 on the case so far.

26/03/2018

We're proud to have assisted in these matters... And just look at that gorgeous smile on Popiah's face

POPIAH IS FREE!!! Thank you so much to all who donated and supported us throughout this journey, and special thanks to our fantastic lawyer Daniel Beecher, a super animal rights advocate! If your pet is ever in trouble, he's your man! We'll update more after everything has cooled down, but please kn...

16/02/2018

We're very proud to have assisted legendary campaigner Laurie Levy, Campaign Director of the Coalition Against Duck Shooting. Simply, violence against our state's beautiful wildlife isn't a valid form of recreation - it's an abhorrent lingering relic of the darker side of our history, with no redeeming features, and with no place in modern society.

WHAT 👏🏼 AN 👏🏼 OUTCOME 👏🏼

Today our Campaign Director, Laurie Levy, faced court for rescuing a pink-eared duck on the opening of the duck shooting season last year.

The maximum fine he was facing was $9,000. Yep — $9,000 for helping a struggling, dying animal.

But he was given no fine, no conviction and placed on a good behaviour bond that expires on March 13, four days before the opening of this year’s duck shooting season.

This is a huge victory. And what did Laurie say when he was asked about the outcome by the media?

That he will be back on the wetlands this year, of course!

(And a big shoutout to Phoenix Legal Solutions for your awesome work - as always!)

13/10/2017

We're proud to be helping the Australian Society for Kangaroos in these important matters. Together let's send a strong message to the Victorian Government that we expect our state's wildlife to be treated with respect and dignity - not unnecessary violence and destruction!

28/09/2017

To anyone who finds themselves falsely accused of trespassing at a cesspool of legally sanctioned animal abuse: you are not alone, it can happen to anyone, here's proof. Today we received this letter by registered hand delivery. The letter falsely accuses the Principal Lawyer at Phoenix Legal Solutions of having trespassed at JBS slaughterhouse in Laverton VIC. In response Mr Beecher confirmed: "This allegation is outrageous. I've never set foot on the premises of these professional animal abusers."