Commonwealth Numbered Acts

COMMONWEALTH LEGAL AID COMMISSION ACT 1977 No. 80 of 1977 - SECT 3

3. (1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears-

''Chairman'' means the Chairman of the Commission;

''Commission'' means the Commonwealth Legal Aid Commission established by
section 4;

''Commissioner'' means a Commissioner of the Commission and includes the
Chairman and the Deputy Chairman;

''Deputy Chairman'' means the Deputy Chairman of the Commission;
''Judge'' means a Judge of a federal court or of the Supreme Court of a State
or Territory;

''legal aid commission'' means-

   (a)  in relation to a State-an authority established by or under a law of
        the State for purposes that include the provision of legal assistance
        in respect of Commonwealth matters; and

   (b)  in relation to a Territory-an authority established by or under an
        Ordinance of that Territory for the purpose of providing legal
        assistance.

(2) A reference in this Act to the provision of legal assistance shall be read
as a reference to the provision of legal services (including the giving of
legal advice) without charge to the person to whom the legal services are
provided or subject to the making of a payment by that person that is less
than the full cost of the provision of those services.

(3) A reference in this Act to the provision of financial assistance shall be
read as a reference to the provision of financial assistance in respect of the
cost of obtaining legal services.

(4) In this Act, a reference to the provision of legal or financial assistance
in respect of a Commonwealth matter shall be read as a reference to the
provision of legal or financial assistance-

   (a)  in or in connexion with a claim, right or proceeding involving a
        matter arising under a law of the Commonwealth;

   (b)  in a proceeding in a federal court or in a State court exercising
        federal jurisdiction; or

   (c)  in any other case where it is within the power of the Parliament to
        provide for the giving of legal or financial assistance.