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Functions of the Council
Council is responsible for overseeing the administration of the legal aid services provided by the Legal Aid Department and the Department is accountable to Council for the provision of such services.
Council may -
| (a) |
formulate policies governing the provision of services by the Department and give advice on the policy direction of the Department;
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| (b) |
review the work of the Department from time to time and make such arrangements as are expedient and proper to ensure the efficient and economical discharge of the functions and provision of legal aid services by the Department;
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| (c) |
keep under review the services provided by the Department and the plans for development of the Department; and
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| (d) |
consider and advise on the estimates of expenditure of the Department. |
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| Legal Aid Services Council members |
Council shall not have the power to direct the Department on staff matters and the handling of individual cases.
Council is the Chief Executive's advisory body on the policy of the Government concerning publicly-funded legal aid services which are provided by the Department and shall advise on -
| (a) |
the eligibility criteria, scope of services, mode of service delivery, future plans for improvements, funding requirements and future development of legal aid policy;
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| (b) |
the feasibility and desirability of the establishment of an independent legal aid authority; and
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| (c) |
any other aspect of legal aid which the Chief Executive may from time to time refer to Council. |
Terms of reference of Council's Interest Groups
Generally, the terms of reference of the interest groups are -
| (a) |
to make recommendations to Council on ways and means to improve the subject under the purview of the Interest Group;
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| (b) |
to meet on a regular basis and report back to Council feedback and/or comments in respect of the subject under the purview of the Interest Group; and
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| (c) |
to consider any issue relating to the subject under the purview of the Interest Group referred by Council or other interested parties. |
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