THE COMMISSION

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 26 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 2006/2007 year, the Commission met on 12 occasions. Meetings of the Commission are usually held about every four to five weeks.

All questions concerning this site to info@legalaid.tas.gov.au