Noel Lim

Co-founder, Anika Legal

2023 VIC Young Australian of the Year Nominee

Noel Lim was a law student when he stumbled across ‘80,000 hours’, a global movement asking people to consider the hours they work as their greatest opportunity to improve the world.

Noel immediately dedicated his 80,000 hours to doing the most good possible.

He knew that each year more than 600,000 Australians are left to handle legal problems on their own because they can’t afford a lawyer but aren’t eligible for legal aid.

So Noel and some friends launched Anika Legal, a free online legal service designed to meet that need. The not-for-profit had helped more than 560 people by mid-2022. 

The service also provides practical experience for law students through an internship program supervised by lawyers and funded by universities.

After four years, Anika has four staff and 60 volunteers providing services Australia-wide.

Noel’s vision is global not national, and for a world in which everyone can access justice.