ILSAC Terms of reference
International Legal Services Advisory Council (ILSAC)
1 Mission and objectives
To improve the international performance of Australia’s legal and related services, particularly in such areas as international trade involving these services and the globalisation of legal practice, international legal cooperation, international legal education and training and international commercial dispute resolution, by:
- supporting the development of Australia’s legal and related services of international relevance or potential, including the development of a strategic vision which reflects the longer term collaborative, commercial and other opportunities available to Australia and the important linkages between sectoral activities
- helping to ensure that government policies affecting legal and related services and their development and international performance are well informed and appropriately coordinated, and
- promoting and facilitating the efficient collection, analysis and dissemination of information bearing on the sector’s international performance.
2 Function
(a) Advisory Council
The function of the part-time advisory Council to Government is:
- to provide a high level consultative forum for key sectoral interests and relevant government departments and agencies to coordinate, support and promote the development, internationally, of Australia’s legal and related services, including the development of a strategic vision
- to monitor and review domestic and international developments bearing on the performance, internationally, of providers of legal and related services, and
- in accordance with an agreed business plan, to advise the Attorney-General and other Ministers, as appropriate, on measures to improve the international performance of Australia’s legal and related services, including possible initiatives at the domestic and international levels, to prepare research and other material, and to undertake or support appropriate activities consistent with its mission and objectives.
(b) Secretariat
The advisory Council is supported by a Secretariat in the Attorney-General’s Department. The functions of the Secretariat are:
- to promote improved cooperation and information exchange between providers of legal and related services and relevant government departments and agencies, including through the development of informal networks and contributions to relevant conferences and seminars
- to provide a coordinating focus for information, relevant legal and related services and a central point for enquiries on Australia’s international capabilities
- to undertake research and prepare papers for consideration by the Council, including coordination of inputs from other sources as appropriate
- to manage the Council’s work program and projects, and
- to provide other secretariat support to the advisory Council as required.
3 Term and operation
The advisory Council is constituted on a permanent basis. However, it will operate with members appointed for terms of up to three years. The current three year term concludes on 30 June 2010.
The Council would normally meet biannually, with its committees or working groups meeting as required. The Council’s work program is to accord with a business plan that is subject to approval by the Attorney-General.
4 Reporting
The Council will provide advice to the Attorney-General and other Ministers on an ongoing basis as initiatives are finalised and when outcomes are achieved under the Business Plan. The Council will provide a consolidated triennial report to the Attorney‑General covering the current three-year period of membership ending on 30 June 2010.
Approved by the Attorney‑General
August 2007