LEGAL AID COMMISSION ACT 1979 - SECT 12 Duties to be observed in the provision of legal aid

LEGAL AID COMMISSION ACT 1979 - SECT 12

12 Duties to be observed in the provision of legal aid

In respect of the provision of legal aid, the Commission shall--

(a) ensure that legal aid is provided in the most effective, efficient and economical manner,

(b) have regard to the need for legal aid to be readily available and easily accessible to disadvantaged persons throughout New South Wales,

(c) ascertain and keep under review community needs in relation to legal aid,

(d) liaise with professional bodies representing law practices and, where appropriate, use the services of law practices in the provision of legal aid,

(e) determine the allocation of legal aid services between the Chief Executive Officer or members of staff of the Commission and law practices and the principles on which law practices are to be offered or refused matters on assignment,

(f) ensure, if work is assigned to a law practice, that the assignment is made in accordance with procedures determined from time to time by the Commission in accordance with Division 2 of Part 3,

(g) ensure, by the assignment of appropriate work, the maintenance of the office of the Public Defenders,

(h) ensure the co-ordination of legal aid services and the avoidance of any unnecessary duplication in the provision of legal aid services,

(i) ensure that, except where otherwise expressly provided by this Act, nothing is done by the Commission, the Chief Executive Officer or members of staff of the Commission which may interfere with the relationship between a solicitor acting in the solicitor's professional capacity and the solicitor's client, and

(j) have regard to the desirability of enabling members of staff of the Commission to use and develop their expertise by undertaking, as far as is reasonably practicable, a full range of professional legal work.