Legal System Publications

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 15: Practical guidance to help entities comply with obligations under Part 7 of the Legal Services Directions when engaging counsel to undertake Commonwealth legal work, including counsel selection, briefing requirements, rate negotiation and approvals of counsel rates above the daily rate thresholds.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 3: the Legal Services Directions promote consultation, collaboration and information sharing across government on the interpretation of legislation. By consulting on requests and sharing legal advice, entities maximise efficiencies, minimise duplication and reduce the potential for inconsistent advice and action on legal issues across the Commonwealth.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 18: Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 18: Under the Legal Services Directions, Commonwealth agencies have various obligations, including an obligation to act as a model litigant.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 1: this guidance note clarifies when the Legal Services Directions will apply to an entity when carrying out Commonwealth legal work that involves a criminal prosecution or related proceeding.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 8: Entities are obliged to consider alternatives to litigation including using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes. This guidance note also includes information about choosing an ADR process and ADR practitioner.

This application form is used to apply for financial assistance for legal representation costs and disbursements related to participation in the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

These guidelines contain information about applying for legal financial assistance under the Legal financial assistance scheme for witnesses to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

Statement to advise of the outcomes of the Administrative Review Council's meeting on 13 February 2026. This included steps to commence an inquiry into Systemic Issue Notice No 1 2025, progress of the Social Security Inquiry and updates on the outcomes of the Migration Inquiry public consultation.

The Administrative Review Council Annual Report 2024–25 is the first annual report of the re-instated Administrative Review Council. It covers the financial year ending 30 June 2025.

The National Justice Reinvestment Unit (NJRU) will be delivered by an Aboriginal Community Control or First Nations-led organisation from mid-to-late 2026. The design, functions and responsibilities of the NJRU have been developed through co-design with Commonwealth-funded justice reinvestment initiatives and stakeholders. The documents on this page contain further details.

Statement to advise of the outcomes of the Administrative Review Council’s sixth meeting on Monday, 24 November 2025, including consideration of Systemic Issue Notice No 1 2025, update on the progress of the Migration Inquiry and Social Security Inquiry consultation, acceptance of a notification of a systemic issue by a member of the public, and progress of the Statement of Position responding to the broad issue raised by Systemic Issue Notice No 1 2024.

On 4 March 2025, the then Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, wrote to the Chair of the ARC to request that the Council inquire into the amendments to the Migration Act in the ART (CTP 1) Bill.

This is a statement of the department’s legal services expenditure for the financial year ended 30 June 2025. It is published in compliance with paragraph 11.1 (ba) of the Legal Services Directions 2017.

This form is to be completed by applicants seeking assistance for legal and related expenses from the Commonwealth under the NACC General Scheme (Part 4 of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Regulations 2023).

Terms of reference for the Administrative Review Council’s Migration Inquiry. The Terms of Reference include details of the inquiry background, scope, consultation and timeframe.

Statement to advise of the outcomes of the Administrative Review Council’s fifth meeting on Monday, 15 September 2025, including terms of reference for an inquiry into migration provisions enacted at the time of the establishment of the Administrative Review Tribunal, and progress of the Statement of Position responding to the broad issue raised by Systemic Issue Notice No.1 2024.

Terms of Reference for the Administrative Review Council’s Statement of Position on the implementation by agencies of administrative review decisions of courts and tribunals. The Terms of Reference include details on the statement’s background, scope, consultation and timeframe.

Terms of Reference for the Administrative Review Council’s Social Security Inquiry. The Terms of Reference include details of the inquiry background, scope, consultation and timeframe.

Aims to assist government decision-makers to understand their obligations and set out best practice in preparing statements of reasons for decisions. This Guide revises and updates the Administrative Review Council’s best practice guide on reasons which was initially published in 2007.

Report of the review of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 (Cth).