Legal System Publications

This form is to be completed by applicants seeking assistance for legal and related expenses from the Commonwealth under the overseas child abduction scheme.

This Review is one component of the Australian Government’s commitment to family law system reform to support the contemporary needs of Australian families and to relieve the financial pressures on the family law courts.

The Regulatory Powers Act provides for a standard suite of provisions in relation to monitoring and investigation powers, as well as enforcement provisions through the use of civil penalties, infringement notices, enforceable undertakings and injunctions.

Regulatory powers are the coercive and enforcement powers used by government agencies to ensure individuals and industry comply with legislative requirements. Proposals that establish or amend frameworks that provide for regulatory powers should trigger the standard provisions of the Regulatory Powers Act.

Entities are required to report on issues arising in the delivery of legal services, especially the handling of claims and litigation. Once a matter has been reported as significant, entities are required to provide updates on the progress of those issues and significant claims are not to be settled without the Attorney-General's prior agreement.

This form is to be completed by applicants seeking assistance for legal and related expenses from the Commonwealth under statutory schemes and certain non-statutory schemes administered by the Attorney-General’s Department.

The page contains the Office of Legal Services Coordination’s Guidance Note 11 to assist agencies when briefing the Solicitor-General.

Guidelines are available to assist agencies in the conduct of litigation involving the Commonwealth or Australian Government agencies. We can assist to identify which non-corporate Commonwealth entity should be responsible for litigation where this is unclear.

These guidelines deal with making grants of financial assistance to parties to particular legal actions.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 10 - The Attorney-General and AGD are responsible for constitutional law under the Administrative Arrangements Order. Paragraph 10A is intended to ensure that AGD is aware of requests for advice, and advice, about constitutional law issues.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 12 - Always consider alternatives to litigation including using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes. Steps to resolve disputes should be taken as early as possible and both before and throughout any court or tribunal proceedings. 

This Framework sets out the approach of the Office of Legal Services Coordination (OLSC) to achieving compliance across the Commonwealth with the Legal Services Directions 2017. This includes compliance activities, the principles that guide OLSC’s actions and how OLSC prioritises its compliance activities.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 2 - The Attorney-General’s approval is required for a non-corporate Commonwealth entity to use in-house lawyers to conduct court litigation as solicitor on the record or as counsel.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 4 - There is an obligation on accountable authorities of non-corporate Commonwealth entities to actively pursue debts.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 7 - Entities must report to OLSC on significant issues that arise in the provision of legal services, including in relation to handling of claims, litigation and involvement in dispute management.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 9 - What does ‘receive service’ mean and how does an appointment under section 63 of the Judiciary Act work?

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 13 - Commonwealth entities are to be mindful of the potential trauma that survivors of institutional child sexual abuse may experience during the claims and/or litigation process. 

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 6 - This guidance note is to be read in conjunction with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Guidance on Caretaker Conventions.

This page sets out information about how to apply for legal financial assistance under the special circumstances scheme.

The addresses of those appointed to receive service on the Commonwealth.