Legal System Publications

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.

In 2018, submissions were received in response to the discussion paper and were considered as part of the Review of financial hardship arrangements.

In June 2018, a discussion paper was released seeking public submissions on key issues relevant to the Review of financial hardship arrangements, and how they interact with the consumer credit reporting framework.  

In February 2018, submissions were received responding to the questions raised in the Reforms to the Native Title Act 1993 options paper.

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.

In 2017, the Proposed reforms to the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) options paper was released for public consultation.

The findings and recommendations of this report drew upon the expertise and experience of a diverse and highly engaged group of stakeholders. It makes a number of wide ranging recommendations for improvements to the Commonwealth legal services framework.

The 'Report on the Operation of the Sunsetting Provisions in the Legislation Act 2003' was tabled in the House of Representatives on 23 October 2017 and in the Senate on 13 November 2017.

The National Partnership Agreement is created subject to the provisions of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations and should be read in conjunction with that Agreement and its Schedules.

Entities are required to report as soon as possible on issues arising in the delivery of legal services, especially the handling of claims and litigation. Significant claims are not to be settled without the Attorney-General's prior agreement.

Non-corporate Commonwealth entities and former FMA agencies are obliged to report as soon as practicable about any possible or apparent breaches of the Legal Services Directions 2017.