Legal System Publications

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.

In 2017, the review outcomes were published into whether regulations should be made to create exceptions to the prohibition on civil litigants accessing telecommunications data retained solely for the purpose of the mandatory data retention scheme.

The Guide helps policy makers understand and identify administrative law issues in draft legislation or proposals.

If you disagree with a decision (or a part of a decision) in relation to your application for legal financial assistance, you can ask for a review.  You may also seek a review in relation to an invoice that you have submitted under your existing grant.

On , 9 February 2017, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, Attorney-General of Australia, referred to the Australian Law Reform Commission an inquiry into the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our prisons as outlined in these terms of reference.

On 29 April 2016, the release of the Australian Government's response to the Productivity Commission's Report into Access to Justice Arrangements was announced. The report considers a number of significant areas in the civil justice system at both the Commonwealth, and the state and territory level.

On 5 March 2016, substantial amendments to the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 commenced to provide a single framework covering registration, publishing and management of all Commonwealth Acts and instruments. The Legislative Instruments Act was renamed the Legislation Act 2003.

The tables note where provisions are substantially equivalent, substantially different, or where there are no equivalent sections in comparison of each State Evidence Acts.

These are the historical versions of the National Legal Assistance Data Standards Manual and are not currently in force.

This form is to be completed by applicants seeking assistance for legal and related expenses from the Commonwealth under section 34ZX of Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979.

In 2015, these submissions were published. They were received as part of the Statutory review of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009, in response to Consultation Paper 4 - The Register.

These submissions were received as part of the Statutory review of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009, in response to Consultation Paper 1 - Reach of the Act.

In December 2014, submissions were received as part of the Statutory review of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009, in response to Consultation Paper 2 - Considering the creation and perfection of security interests, the taking free rules, priority rules and other dealings in collateral.

The Attorney-General’s Department administers the Administrative Appeals Tribunal scheme to provide funding to people who could not otherwise afford to pay for legal costs incurred in appearing before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

How the Department will collect, store, use and disclose your personal information when you apply for and/or accept a grant of legal financial assistance. This information applies to all schemes of legal financial assistance administered by the department.