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The Commission is an independent statutory body established by the Legal Aid Commission Act 1990. It is principally funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments with other sources of income derived from the recovery of legal costs in successful cases, contributions from legally assisted clients and interest on invested moneys.
Legal services in the areas of criminal law, Commonwealth civil law and family law are provided by the Commission from its head office in Hobart and regional offices in Launceston, Devonport and Burnie. As at 30 June, the Commission employed 18 lawyers in the Commission practice and it utilises the services of private legal practitioners to ensure that within the limits of funds available, no person is denied access to the law by reason of financial or social disadvantage.
Under Section 6 of the Legal Aid Commission Act 1990, the Commission's principal function is to provide legal aid in accordance with the Act. In the performance of this function, the Commission may:-
+ Determine the matters in respect of which legal aid may be granted;
+ Specify the criteria, including the imposition of a means test, to be applied in determining applications for legal aid;
+ Establish and operate such local offices as are considered necessary;
+ Publicise the services of the Commission;
+ Determine the conditions subject to which legal aid may be granted and contributions paid;
+ Liase with professional bodies representing private practitioners;
+ Provide agencies of the Commonwealth with statistical or other information;
+ Make reports and recommendations to the Minister in relation to any reforms of the law considered desirable.
The Commission consists of 7 Commissioners appointed by the Minister in accordance with Section 5(1) of the Legal Aid Commission Act 1990. During the 200/2001 year, the Commission met on 6 occasions. Meetings of the Commission are usually held about every six weeks.
Members of the Commission
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David Gunson ~ Chairman ~ private legal practitioner
Norman Reaburn ~ Director of the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania
Brian Holloway ~ Nominee of the State Attorney - General; Finance Manager, Department of Justice and Industrial Relations
Simon Brown ~ Nominee of the Law Society of Tasmania; private legal practitioner
Chris Webster ~ Nominee of the Law Society of Tasmania; private legal practitioner
Gina Sidhu ~ Nominee of the Community Legal Centres of Tasmania; Legal Practitioner ~ Womens' Legal Service [2 January 2001]
Eve Murray ~ Staff Representative;
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Christine Arnott ~ Nominee of the State Attorney-General;Private Legal practitioner
We can help you ...
Over the phone legal advice service allows you to speak directly to a Legal Aid lawyer over the phone each weekday from 9am to 5pm. You pay only the cost of a local call wherever you ring from within Tasmania.
Call 1300 366 611
Face to face legal advice sessions allow you to speak to a Legal Aid lawyer face to face in a private consultation at any of our four offices, if you have a health care card or pension card. Your session will be limited to approximately 10 minutes. You do not need to make an appointment and will be seen as quickly as possible. The hours for this service are:
Hobart ~ Monday - Friday ~ 12.30-1.15 p.m.
Launceston ~ Monday, Wednesday & Friday ~ 12.30-1.30 p.m.
Devonport ~ Tuesday 2.00 p.m.-3.45 p.m. & Thursday 12.00 p.m.-1.45 p.m.
Burnie ~ Tuesday & Thursday ~ 12.00 p.m.-1.45 p.m.
Legal help at all Magistrates courts in Tasmania is provided by a Legal Aid lawyer called a Duty Solicitor. The Duty Solicitor can help you with information about court procedures, bail applications, pleas and penalties. The Duty Solicitor will appear for you if you have been arrested and wish to apply for bail or if you are eligible for a grant of legal aid.
Child Support free information & advice. By using our Child Support Service you can access free information and advice about paying and receiving child support and maintenance
The lawyer that you will see at your appointment specialises in child support and maintenance problems. This service is available at everyone of our offices. Our Child Support Service offers a free appointment, of up to one hour, to anyone needing information, advice and/or assistance with a child support or maintenance matter.
Community Legal Information via seminars for Community groups on various legal topics are held by our lawyers who will visit your community organisation, school or other educational institution. The seminars are statewide, free of charge and can be tailored to suit the needs or interests of your particular group. For more information or to make a booking please call 1300 366 611
Legal Representation by our Legal aid Lawyers or a private Lawyer is available to you if you are granted legal aid. Applying for Legal Aid will involve you making an application with your own solicitor or at your nearest Legal Aid office
Hobart
123 Collins Street, Hobart
Postal Address: GPO Box 9898, Hobart 7001
Dx 123 Phone: 6233 8383 Fax: 6233 8555
Launceston
64 Cameron Street, Launceston
Postal Address: PO Box 810, Launceston 7250
Dx 70126 Phone: 6336 2050 Fax: 6336 2074
Devonport
8 Griffith Street Devonport
Postal Address: PO Box 87 Devonport 7310
Dx 70352 Phone: 6421 7870 Fax: 6421 7871
Burnie
50 Alexander Street, Burnie
Postal Address: PO Box 550, Burnie 7320
Dx 70209 Phone: 6434 6444 Fax: 6434 6440
The Freedom of Information Act 1991 commenced on 1 January 1993. As an "agency" under the Freedom of Information Act 1991, the Commission is required to determine requests for access to, or amendment of, information held by the Commission. In the period ended 30 June 2001, one application for access to or amendment of records were received by the Commission.
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