Tasmanian Consolidated Acts Tasmanian Consolidated Acts
(1) An application for legal aid shall be decided by a Legal Aid Committee, by the Director or by an officer authorized by the Director for the purpose, according to directions of the Commission.
(2) The Commission shall give directions as to the classes of cases in which –
(a) applications for legal aid are to be decided by a Legal Aid Committee; and
(b) applications are to be decided by an officer.
(3) Where a Legal Aid Committee or an officer decides to grant an application for legal aid, the Legal Aid Committee or officer shall also decide, in accordance with guidelines issued –
(a) whether the legal aid should be provided by making available the services of a private legal practitioner or by making available the services of an officer; and
(b) the nature and extent of the legal aid to be provided; and
(c) whether the legal aid is to be provided free of charge or subject to any of the conditions referred to in section 21(1); and
(d) whether legal aid is to be provided subject to such conditions as may be considered appropriate.
(4) The Director shall ensure that a Legal Aid Committee is provided with such assistance as it requires for the purpose of the performance of its functionsunder this Act.
(5) For the purpose of deciding an application for legal aid, a Legal Aid Committee or an officer may make such inquiries and obtain such advice and reports as the Committee or officer considers desirable.
(6) The cost of making inquiries or obtaining such advice or reports shall be paid –
(a) if the Legal Aid Committee or officer so determines – by the applicant for the legal aid; or
(b) in any other case – out of the Fund.