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131Annual Report 2010–2011
Appendix 1 CEO’sperformancestatementand committeemembership 132
Appendix 2 Humanresourcesinformation 133
Appendix 3 EEOgroups 134
Appendix 4 Learninganddevelopment 135
Appendix 5 Women’sDomesticViolenceCourtAdvocacy Programfunding 137
Appendix 6 CommunityLegalCentresProgram 138
Appendix 7 Legalpracticeoperationalstatistics 139
Appendix 8 Lawreformsubmissions 143
Appendix 9 Publicationsandresources 144
Appendix 10 Righttoinformation[Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009] 145
Appendix 11 DisabilityActionPlan 147
Appendix 12 MulticulturalActionPlan 148
Appendix 13 Significantcommittees 149
Appendix 14 Workingwithotherorganisations 153
Appendix 15 Policiesinbrief 156
Glossary 159
Index 161
Five year performance: key trends 164
Appendices SECTION 6
In this section
132 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
CEO’s performance statement Appendix 1
Key achievements of Legal Aid NSW in 2010-2011 include:
y establishingaFamilyLawEarlyInterventionUnittobringtogethercourtdutyservices,outreachservicesandcommunitylegaleducationforthoseclientsseekinginitiallegalassistance(page21);
y developingnewservicesmodelstodivertpeoplefromthecriminaljusticesystem,throughimprovedadvice,minorassistanceandreferrals(pages21,33);
y expandingtheRegionalOutreachClinicProgramtodeliverlegalservicestopeopleinruralandremotecommunities(page40);
y securingfundingforanewCommunityLegalCentreonthemid-NorthCoast(page35);
y establishinganalternativedisputeresolutionpilotprojectinthecareandprotectionjurisdiction(page21);
y establishingafamilydisputeresolutiontraineeshipprogramtotrain10lawyersfromculturallyandlinguisticallydiversebackgroundswhowillworkwithLegalAidNSWtoimproveaccesstofamilydisputeresolutionservices(page29);
y undertakingresearchtoidentifythehighestserviceusersacrossallpracticeareasofLegalAidNSWtoformanevidencebasetoimproveservicestoclientswithcomplexneeds(page14);
y negotiatingastrategicresearchpartnershipwiththeNSWLawandJusticeFoundation(page43);
y expandingtheDomesticViolencePractitionersSchemeatanadditional15LocalCourtsinNSWtoprovidelegalservicestowomenandchildrenexperiencingdomesticviolence(page34);
y developinganewwebsiteforLegalAidNSW(page52);and
y supportinginitiativestoimprovethementalhealthandwellbeingofLegalAidNSWstaff(pages46,49)
CEO’s membership on key committeesInternal Legal Aid NSW committeesAboriginalJusticeCommitteeAccessandEquityCommitteeDomesticandFamilyViolenceCommitteePeakConsultativeCommittee
External boards and committeesAustralianLegalAssistanceForumDepartmentofAttorneyGeneralandJustice—JusticeExecutiveLawAccessNSWBoardLawWeekBoardLegalInformationAccessCentreAdvisoryBoardNSWLegalAssistanceForumNationalLegalAid(ChairuntilFebruary2011)NationalLegalAssistanceAdvisoryBoard(Chair)PrimeMinister’sCouncilonHomelessnessPublicInterestAdvocacyCentreBoard
This year Alan Kirkland as the Chief Executive Officer has led Legal Aid NSW through significant service expansion.
133Annual Report 2010–2011
Number of actual staff by employment type EmploymentType 2007–2008 2008–2009 2009–2010 2010–2011
PermanentFullTime 566 594 583 584
PermanentPartTime 112 123 141 154
TemporaryFullTime 123 135 135 167
TemporaryPartTime 45 54 45 61
ContractSES 6 5 5 6
Non-SES 0 0 0 0
Casual 0 1 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0
Total 852 912 909 972
Number of actual staff by work area 3 year comparison
2008–2009 2009–2010 2010–2011
Legalofficers 431 435 481
Administrativestaff 481 474 491
Total 912 909 972
Number of executive positions 3 year comparison
2008–2009 2009–2010 2010–2011
SESGrade Male Female Male Female Male Female
Level6* 1 0 1 0 1
Level4 2 0 2 0 1 1
Level2 2 0 2 0 2 1Total 5 0 5 0 4 2
Human resources information Appendix 2
*Alan Kirkland, CEO Legal Aid NSW, Annual Remuneration: $295,000.00
Central Sydney/Regional FTE staff as at 30 June 2011Central Sydney 507.25Regional offices 373.03Total Staff FTE 880.28
FTE staff as at 30 June 2011CEO/SES 6 Legal officers 437.95 Legal and admin support staff 436.33 Total staff FTE 880.28
134 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
EEO groups Appendix 3
A. Trends in the representation of EEO groups
EEO Group Benchmark or target (%) 2008 2009 2010 2011
Women 50 74 74 75 76
Aboriginalpeople 2.6 3.0 3.3 4.0 5
Peoplefromracial,ethnic,ethno-religiousminoritygroups 19 15 13 14.0 20
Peoplewithadisability 12 5 5 4.0 6
Peoplewithadisabilityrequiringawork-relatedadjustment 7 1.4 1.2 1.3 3
Number of actual staff in different EEO groups2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
Men 232 234 241
Women 680 675 731
Aboriginalpeople 30 38 41
Peoplefromracial,ethnic,ethno-religiousminoritygroups 184 191 194
PeoplewhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglish 125 130 148
Peoplewithadisability 46 41 52
Peoplewithadisabilityrequiringawork-relatedadjustment 12 13 20
Total 912 909 972
B. Trends in the distribution of EEO group Distribution index
EEO Group Benchmark or target 2008 2009 2010 2011
Women 100 84 84 86 87
AboriginalpeopleandTorresStraitIslanders 100 83 79 80 82
PeoplewhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglish 100 100 100 101 100
Peoplewithadisability 100 95 97 102 96
Peoplewithadisabilityrequiringwork-relatedadjustment 100 N/A N/A N/A N/A
% of total staffParliamentary annual report tables
• Staff numbers as at 30 June 2011. • Excludes casual staff. • A Distribution Index of 100 indicates that the centre of the distribution of the EEO group across salary levels is equivalent
to that of other staff. Values less than 100 mean that the EEO group tends to be more concentrated at lower salary levels than is the case for other staff. The more pronounced this tendency is, the lower the index will be. In some cases the index may be more than 100, indicating that the EEO group is less concentrated at lower salary levels. The Distribution Index is automatically calculated by the software provided by ODEOPE.
• The Distribution Index is not calculated where EEO group or non-EEO group numbers are less than 20. • Percentage of Aboriginal staff on page 47 is based on FTE staff.
Notes:
135Annual Report 2010–2011
Learning and development Courses conducted 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011
Internal training programs (most sessions attract MCLE points)
AboriginalCulturalAwarenessTraining 10 53 29 82AboriginalStaffNetworkMeeting/JobSeekingSkillsWorkshop 1 16 0 16AfricanCulturalAwarenessTraining,CoffsHarbour 1 9 4 13CareandProtectionforGrantsOfficersandSolicitors 1 10 0 10CareandProtectionTraining 1 38 2 40CaringforElderlyParentsorFamilyMembers 1 35 0 35ChildSupportforGrantsOfficers 1 14 0 14CourtVisit 6 60 8 68CrossCulturalCommunication&UsingInterpreters 1 18 1 19DemystifyingDrugs&Alcohol 3 11 8 19DemystifyingMentalIllness 2 11 8 19DiplomaofManagement 4 38 12 50DisabilityConfidenceforHRProfessionals&Managers 1 7 0 7DistrictCourtSentencingWorkshops 3 17 0 17FamilyLawEarlyInterventionFacilitationWorkshop 1 4 2 6FamilyLawTraining-Grantsstaff 3 36 0 36FDRPDevelopmentandSupervision 1 10 54 64FDRPTrainingDevelopmentDay 1 3 41 44FDRSStaffDevelopmentActivity 1 17 21 38GeneralEmploymentLawPrincipleandTerminationofEmployment 1 30 9 39GovernmentInformation(PublicAccess)ActInformationSession 1 91 5 96GrantsCrimeTraining 1 41 0 41HandlingDifficultCalls 3 15 0 15IndividualPlanning 1 38 0 38InterpersonalSkillsforCustomerServiceandComplaintHandling 2 7 3 16JobSeekingSkills 1 9 1 10LawAccessVisit 2 34 1 35LawForNonLawyers 3 24 4 28LibraryTraining 4 50 0 50ManagersWorkshop 2 193 2 195ManagingAggressive&ViolentBehaviour 2 10 7 17ManagingPsychologicalInjury 2 16 1 17MediaSkills 2 12 0 12MeritSelection&Recruitment 1 6 0 6PresentationSkills 1 5 1 6RecordsManagementinLegalAidNSW(TRIM) 3 28 0 28ResolvingWorkplaceConflict 3 24 3 27SafetyLeadershipExecutiveBriefing 1 11 0 11SocialNetworkingTechnology 2 17 2 19SuccessfullyManagingStress 1 8 0 8TeamBuildingforaRespectfulWorkplace 2 23 0 23WorkingEffectivelywithRefugeeSurvivors 1 8 6 14WritingforLegalAid 3 35 1 36Total 88 1,142 236 1,384
Course title Sessions AttendanceStaff External Total
Appendix 4
136 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
Sessions AttendanceStaff External Total
Course title
Appendix 4
InductionCivilLawInduction 1 17 0 17CorporateInduction 5 89 3 92Policy&PlanningInduction 1 4 0 4CriminalLawInduction 2 21 2 23FamilyLawInduction 1 7 0 7Total 10 138 5 143
Internal legal seminars and conferencesCareandProtectionConference2010 1 98 121 219
CivilLawConference2010 1 101 14 115
CivilLawDivisionForum 1 57 0 57CriminalLegalManagersConference 1 26 0 26CriminalLawConference2011 1 277 163 440FamilyIn-houseConference2010 1 169 0 169FamilyLawConference2010 1 169 0 170ImmigrationLawDay 1 25 37 62Seminars 37 687 169 856Total 45 1,609 619 2,228
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy ProgramWDVCASJuneWorkerForum 1 4 94 98
CoreTraining(3days) 1 0 22 22
SpecialistDomesticViolencePractitionerTraining 1 0 74 74
CoreTraining 3 0 49 49
SecondedWorkerTraining 7 0 93 93
NetworkTraining 3 0 68 68
Total 16 4 400 404
IT TrainingATLAS/ CASES / LawDocs / Office 2007 59 612 0 612
Online learningMCLE 45 141 32 173General 15 164 22 186Induction 8 285 0 285Total 68 590 54 644
External training (ie. not connected with Legal Aid NSW)
CivilLaw 33 0 33
FamilyLaw 19 0 19
CriminalLaw 35 0 35
General 117 0 117
Total 204 0 204
137Annual Report 2010–2011
Appendix 4
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Appendix 5Advocacy Program funding As part of the program, we provided funding to 28 Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCASs).
WDVCAS Service provider Total payments ($)
BlueMountains ElizabethEvattCommunityLegalCentre 175,792
Burwood BurwoodCommunityLegalCentre 221,985
CentralCoast CentralCoastDomesticViolenceCourtAdvocacyService 293,803
CentralWest CentralTablelandsHousingAssociation 172,734
FarSouthCoast SouthernWomen'sGroup 174,985
FarWest FarWestCommunityLegalCentreInc 174,529
Hunter HunterWomen'sDomesticViolenceCourtServicesInc 364,963
HunterValley Carrie'sPlaceWomen’sandChildren'sServicesInc 247,320
Illawarra WollongongWomen'sCentre 286,838
Macarthur MacarthurLegalCentre 251,547
Macquarie MacquarieLegalCentre 268,478
Mid-NorthCoast Mid-NorthCoastWomen'sDomesticViolenceCourtAdvocacyInc 218,660
NewEngland TheWomen'sShelterArmidaleInc 181,892
NorthCoast WarrinaWomen'sandChildren'sRefugeCo-operativeSocietyLtd 304,757
NorthWest* MoreeWomen'sDomesticViolenceCourtAssistanceInc 13,495
NorthWest MoreeFamilySupportInc 148,440
NorthWestSydney HawkesburyNepeanCommunityLegalCentre 276,325
NorthernRivers NorthernRiversCommunityLegalCentre 319,129
NorthernSydney CentacareBrokenBay 258,144
Riverina KulkunaCottageWomen'sRefugeLtd 163,284
SouthCoast YWCALtd 181,169
SouthEastern MolongloWomen'sandChildren'sServices 170,572
SouthWestSydney SouthWestSydneyLegalCentreInc 352,522
Southern Women'sCentreAlbury-WodongaInc 158,169
SouthernSydney SutherlandShireFamilyServicesInc 352,441
Sydney RedfernLegalCentreInc 395,283
WaggaWagga WaggaWaggaFamilySupportServicesInc 196,744
Western** WesternWomen'sDomesticViolenceCourtAdvocacyServiceInc 175,649
Western DubboEmergencyAccommodationProjectInc 121,845
WesternSydney PenrithWomen'sHealthCentreInc 315,796
WDVCAPNetworkInc PeakbodyforWomen'sDomesticViolenceCourtAdvocacyServices 33,334
Total 6,970,622
* a new service provider was engaged from 1 Feb 2011.
**a new service provider was engaged from 2 August 2010.
138 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
Community Legal Centre Commonwealth
funding ($)
State funding
($)
Public Purpose funding
($)
Total payments
($)
Central Coast Community Legal Centre 223,940 16,872 167,941 408,753
Community Legal Centres NSW 303,244 110,000 413,244
Consumer Credit Legal Centre NSW 208,528 386,356 46,662 641,546
Court Support Scheme 33,024 5,992 5,656 44,672
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service 420,048 - 420,048
Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Service 128,284 170,920 61,500 360,704
Environmental Defender's Office (NSW) 93,928 183,680 1,602,076 1,879,684
Far West Community Legal Centre 249,136 66,624 315,760
Hawkesbury/Nepean Community Legal Centre 216,372 122,728 111,500 450,600
HIV/AIDS Legal Centre 127,732 82,212 133,250 343,194
Hume Riverina Community Legal Service 74,826 74,826
Hunter Community Legal Centre 488,874 245,104 19,869 753,847
Illawarra Legal Centre 430,872 193,228 105,191 729,291
Immigration Advice & Rights Centre 97,680 232,884 - 330,564
Inner City Legal Centre 178,282 155,240 61,500 395,022
Intellectual Disability Rights Service 203,930 203,930
Kingsford Legal Centre 256,508 124,844 - 381,352
Macarthur Legal Centre 297,892 190,508 105,191 593,591
Macquarie Legal Centre 241,462 265,504 220,763 727,729
Marrickville Legal Centre 251,216 276,320 - 527,536
Mid North Coast Community Legal Centre 200,000 110,000 - 310,000
Mt Druitt & Area Community Legal Centre 195,992 16,848 47,663 260,503
NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre 283,968 37,544 71,750 393,262
North & North West Community Legal Service 274,748 16,936 102,500 394,184
Northern Rivers Community Legal C entre 301,628 48,444 152,500 502,572
Public Interest Advocacy Centre 114,212 117,832 1,189,000 1,421,044
Redfern Legal Centre 156,288 241,164 -- 397,452
Refugee Advice & Casework Service 102,500 102,500
Shoalcoast Community Legal Centre 303,232 217,136 50,000 570,368
South West Sydney Legal Centre 252,140 227,596 - 479,736
Tenants' Union of NSW 75,084 117,548 - 192,632
The Aged-care Rights Service 103,784 2,396 210,924 317,104
Welfare Rights Centre 227,336 118,656 - 345,992Western NSW Community Legal Centre 355,218 48,716 102,500 506,434
Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre 450,600 102,500 553,100
Women's Legal Services NSW 971,987 311,200 - 1,283,187
National Children's & Youth Law Centre (NCYLC)* 26,750 - 26,750
Grants for interpreter services 51,122 - 51,122
Total 7,366,097 5,509,422 5,228,316 18,103,835
* The NCYLC is not amongst the 36 CLCs that are generally funded through the CLC Program managed by Legal Aid NSW. NCYLC funding is generally managed by the Community Legal Services Program Branch in the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department. A project grant was made to NCYLC by Legal Aid NSW this year as part of the CLC/Legal Aid NSW partnership program.
Community Legal Centres Program Appendix 6We provided funding to 36 Community Legal Centres across NSW.
139Annual Report 2010–2011
Legal practice operational statistics Appendix 7
Legal Aid NSW totals 2008-09 2009-10 % change from previous year 2010-11 % change from
previous year
Case MattersApplicationsReceived 53,786 50,061 -6.9% 48,337 -3.4%ApplicationsRefused 9,677 9,316 -3.7% 8,962 -3.8%In-houseGrants 20,213 13,788 -31.8% 12,795 -7.2%AssignedGrants 25,992 27,648 6.4% 26,073 -5.7%Total Case Grants1 46,205 41,436 -10.3% 38,868 -6.2%Grant Rate 82.7% 81.6% -1.3% 81.3% -0.5%ApplicationsDetermined 55,882 50,752 -9.2% 47,830 -5.8%ApplicationsUndetermined@yearend 1,861 1,292 -30.6% 1,871 44.8%GrantsFinalised 42,792 43,422 1.5% 35,412 -18.4%CurrentGrantsonHand@yearend 43,571 41,635 -4.4% 47,960 15.2%Duty ServicesIn-houseDutyServices 99,775 103,099 3.3% 103,630 0.5%AssignedDutyServices 67,418 65,283 -3.2% 64,377 -1.4%Total Duty Services 167,193 168,382 0.7% 168,007 -0.2%
Other ServicesAdvice 80,953 84,884 4.9% 85,239 0.4%Minorassistance 7,810 8,782 12.4% 12,076 37.5%Information 475,667 497,872 4.7% 514,060 3.3%
Total Other Services 564,430 591,538 4.8% 611,375 3.4%
Total Client Services 777,828 801,356 3.0% 818,250 2.1%
Criminal Law
Case MattersApplicationsReceived 30,275 26,994 -10.8% 27,431 1.6%ApplicationsRefused 2,755 3,086 12.0% 3,080 -0.2%In-houseGrants 15,473 9,789 -36.7% 9,313 -4.9%AssignedGrants 14,058 14,388 2.3% 14,629 1.7%
Total Case Grants1 29,531 24,177 -18.1% 23,942 -1.0%GrantRate 91.5% 88.7% -3.1% 88.6% -0.1%ApplicationsDetermined 32,286 27,263 -15.6% 27,022 -0.9%ApplicationsUndetermined@yearend 643 419 -34.8% 886 111.5%GrantsFinalised 29,786 26,238 -11.9% 22,728 -13.4%CurrentGrantsonHand@yearend 20,038 17,982 -10.3% 19,614 9.1%Duty ServicesIn-houseDutyServices 89,184 94,735 6.2% 96,519 1.9%AssignedDutyServices 51,933 49,738 -4.2% 53,791 8.1%
Total Duty Services 141,117 144,473 2.4% 150,310 4.0%
Other ServicesAdvice 30,489 34,690 13.8% 31,711 -8.6%Minorassistance 267 170 -36.3% 249 46.5%Information 173,995 204,990 17.8% 219,232 6.9%
Total Other Services 204,751 239,850 17.1% 251,192 4.7%Total Client Services 375,399 408,500 8.8% 425,444 4.1%
1. Because of a significant change to the counting of case grants which took effect from 1 July 2009, case figures for 2009-10 should not be compared directly with those for earlier years.
140 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
Family Law 2008-09 2009-10 % change from previous year 2010-11 % change from
previous year
Case MattersApplicationsReceived 20,470 20,078 -1.9% 18,077 -10.0%ApplicationsRefused 5,512 4,957 -10.1% 4,774 -3.7%In-houseGrants 3,263 2,802 -14.1% 2,489 -11.2%AssignedGrants 11,435 12,730 11.3% 10,752 -15.5%Total Case Grants1 14,698 15,532 5.7% 13,241 -14.8%GrantRate 72.7% 75.8% 4.3% 73.5% -3.0%ApplicationsDetermined 20,210 20,489 1.4% 18,015 -12.1%ApplicationsUndetermined@yearend 1,076 728 -32.3% 781 7.3%GrantsFinalised 11,394 15,598 36.9% 11,133 -28.6%CurrentGrantsonHand@yearend 20,833 20,778 -0.3% 25,252 21.5%Duty ServicesIn-houseDutyServices 3,423 3,168 -7.4% 3,693 16.6%AssignedDutyServices 2,708 1,757 -35.1% 1,705 -3.0%Total Duty Services 6,131 4,925 -19.7% 5,398 9.6%Other ServicesAdvice 27,493 28,263 2.8% 28,987 2.6%Minorassistance 3,662 4,493 22.7% 6,161 37.1%Information 133,874 128,761 -3.8% 127,041 -1.3%Total Other Services 165,029 161,517 -2.1% 162,189 0.4%Total Client Services 185,858 181,974 -2.1% 180,828 -0.6%
Civil Law
Case MattersApplicationsReceived 3,041 2,989 -1.7% 2,829 -5.4%ApplicationsRefused 1,410 1,273 -9.7% 1,108 -13.0%In-houseGrants 1,477 1,197 -19.0% 993 -17.0%AssignedGrants 499 530 6.2% 692 30.6%Total Case Grants1 1,976 1,727 -12.6% 1,685 -2.4%GrantRate 58.4% 57.6% -1.4% 60.3% 4.8%ApplicationsDetermined 3,386 3,000 -11.4% 2,793 -6.9%ApplicationsUndetermined@yearend 142 145 2.1% 204 40.7%GrantsFinalised 1,612 1,586 -1.6% 1,551 -2.2%CurrentGrantsonHand@yearend 2,700 2,875 6.5% 3,094 7.6%Duty ServicesIn-houseDutyServices 7,168 5,196 -27.5% 3,418 -34.2%AssignedDutyServices 12,777 13,788 7.9% 8,881 -35.6%
Total Duty Services 19,945 18,984 -4.8% 12,299 -35.2%
Other ServicesAdvice 22,971 21,931 -4.5% 24,541 11.9%Minorassistance 3,881 4,119 6.1% 5,666 37.6%
Information 167,798 164,121 -2.2% 167,787 2.2%
Total Other Services 194,650 190,171 -2.3% 197,994 4.1%
Total Client Services 216,571 210,882 -2.6% 211,978 0.5%
1. Because of a significant change to the counting of case grants which took effect from 1 July 2009, case figures for 2009-10 should not be compared directly with those for earlier years.
Appendix 7
141Annual Report 2010–2011
Legal practice operational statistics Appendix 7
Family dispute resolution family law 2008-09 2009-10 % change from
previous year2010-11
% change from previous
year
Numberofconferences 2,294 2,574 12.2% 2,486 -3.4%Agreementsreached 1,942 2,079 7.1% 2,000 -3.8%Agreementrate 84.7% 80.8% -4.6% 80.5% -0.4%
Community legal education2
CriminalLaw 297 242 -18.5% 424 75.2%
FamilyLaw 443 759 71.3% 933 22.9%
CivilLaw 328 424 29.3% 791 86.6%
Total 1,068 1,425 33.4% 2,148 50.7%
In-House lawyer
In-House lawyer%
Private lawyer
Private lawyer% Total
Family lawDutyServices 3,693 68.4% 1,705 31.6% 5,398
GrantsofLegalAid 2,489 18.8% 10,752 81.2% 13,241
Total 6,182 33.2% 12,457 66.8% 18,639
Criminal lawDutyServices 96,519 64.2% 53,791 35.8% 150,310
GrantsofLegalAid 9,313 38.9% 14,629 61.1% 23,942
Total 105,832 60.7% 68,420 39.3% 174,252
Civil lawDutyServices 3,418 27.8% 8,881 72.2% 12,299
GrantsofLegalAid 993 58.9% 692 41.1% 1,685
Total 4,411 31.5% 9,573 68.5% 13,984
Legal Aid NSW totalDutyServices 103,630 61.7% 64,377 38.3% 168,007
GrantsofLegalAid 12,795 32.9% 26,073 67.1% 38,868
Total 116,425 56.3% 90,450 43.7% 206,875
In-house and private lawyers allocation of legal work
2 Note: the tables at pages 141 and 142 do not include these services.
142 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
State matter
State matter %
Commonwealth matter
Commonwealth matter % Total
Family lawGrants 4,450 33.6% 8,791 66.4% 13,241 Duty Services 2,818 52.2% 2,580 47.8% 5,398 Advice 2,886 10.0% 26,101 90.0% 28,987 Minor assistance 462 7.5% 5,699 92.5% 6,161 Information Services 16,629 13.1% 110,412 86.9% 127,041 Total 27,245 15.1% 153,583 84.9% 180,828
Criminal lawGrants 23,207 96.9% 735 3.1% 23,942DutyServices 146,219 97.3% 4,091 2.7% 150,310Advice 31,010 97.8% 701 2.2% 31,711Minorassistance 249 100.0% - 0.0% 249InformationServices 208,279 95.0% 10,953 5.0% 219,232Total 408,964 96.1% 16,480 3.9% 425,444
Civil lawGrants 1,189 70.6% 496 29.4% 1,685 Duty Services 12,293 100.0% 6 0.0% 12,299 Advice 17,375 70.8% 7,166 29.2% 24,541 Minor assistance 3,999 70.6% 1,667 29.4% 5,666 Information Services 123,608 73.7% 44,179 26.3% 167,787 Total 158,464 74.8% 53,514 25.2% 211,978
Legal Aid NSW totalGrants 28,846 74.2% 10,022 25.8% 38,868Duty Services 161,330 96.0% 6,677 4.0% 168,007 Advice 51,271 60.1% 33,968 39.9% 85,239 Minor assistance 4,710 39.0% 7,366 61.0% 12,076 Information Services 348,516 67.8% 165,544 32.2% 514,060 Total 594,673 72.7% 223,577 27.3% 818,250
Commonwealth and State allocation of Legal Aid NSW services
Appendix 7
143Annual Report 2010–2011
Law reform submissions Appendix 8
Submissions to the Attorney General of New South Wales• Responsetoplannedchangesto
theforumsentencingprogram(September2010)
• Responsetoproposaltolegislatefortheuseoffamilyvictimimpactstatementsinhomicidecases(June2011)
y SubmissiononproposedamendmentstoChildren and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998andtheChildren and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Regulation 2000 inrelationtotheconfidentialityofcourtorderedADR(April2011)
Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission• SubmissiononFamilyViolence:
ImprovingLegalFrameworks(July2010)
Submission to the Better Regulation Office and Department of Attorney General and Justice• SubmissiononReviewoftheDebt
RecoveryProcess(December2010)Submission to the Chief Magistrate of the Local Court of NSW• SubmissiononPracticeNote2
of2011DomesticandPersonalViolenceproceedings(May2011)
Submissions to the Children’s Court of NSW• Submissiononcontactguidelines
forMagistrates(August2010)• Submissiononproposed
amendmenttosection90ofChildren and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (February2011)
• Submissionondraftassessmentorderapplication(May2011)
• SubmissiononstatutelawrevisionamendmentstotheChildren and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998(May2011)
Submissions to the Department of Attorney General and Justice• SubmissionontheForeign Evidence
Amendment Act 2010(Cth)ApplicationtoproceedingsunderNewSouthWaleslaw(September2010)
• SubmissiononBailBill2010(October2010)
• SubmissiononCriminalProcedureAmendment (SexualAssaultCommunicationsPrivilege) Bill2010(November2010)
• SubmissiononCrimes (Sentencing Procedure) Amendment Bill2010(November2010)
• Submissiononpre-trialdiversionofoffendersprogram(CedarCottage)(January2011)
• Submissiononmonitoringdetainee-lawyercommunicationsundertheTerrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002 (February2011)
• Submissionontheproposalfornewoffencesofdeathorgreviousbodilyharmbynegligentactoromission(March2011)
• SubmissiononthereformofjudicialreviewinNSW(April2011)
Submission to the Family Court of Australia• SubmissiononFamilyViolence:
Bestpracticeprinciples(May2011)
Submission to the NSW Department of Human Services• Submissiononthereviewof
impairmenttablesforDisabilitySupportPension(October2010)
Submission to NSW Fair Trading• Submissionontheconsultation
draftoftheResidentialTenanciesRegulation2010 (October2010)
Submissions to the NSW Law Reform Commission• Submissiononpeoplewith
cognitiveandmentalhealthimpairmentsinthecriminaljusticesystem(July2010)
• Submissiononpenaltynotices(November2010)
• Submissiononyoungpeoplewithcognitiveandmentalhealthimpairmentsinthecriminaljusticesystem(March2011)
Submissions to the NSW Sentencing Council• Submissiononproposalto
introducestandardnon-paroleperiodsfordangerousdrivingoffences(September2010
• Submissiononsentencingseriousviolentoffenders(June2011)
Submission to the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General• Submissiononharmonisation
ofcriminalappealslegislation(November2010)
Contributions to submissions by National Legal Aid• SubmissionstoAttorney-General’s
Department- ForcedandServileMarriage–
DiscussionPaper(February2011)- Children’sContactServices–
ConsultationPaper(May2011)• SubmissionstotheAustralianLaw
ReformCommission- FamilyViolenceand
CommonwealthLaws:ImmigrationLaw(ALRCIssuesPaperNo.37)(May2011)
• SubmissionstoCommonwealthTreasury- GreenPaperonNationalCredit
Reform(August2010)- ReformingFloodInsurance:
ClearingtheWatersdiscussionpaper(May2011)
• SubmissiontotheSenateStandingCommitteeonLegalandConstitutionalAffairs- InquiryintotheCivilDispute
ResolutionBill(October2010)- SenateInquiryintotheFamily
LawLegislationAmendment (FamilyViolenceandOtherMeasures)Bill2011(January2011)
- FamilyViolenceandCommonwealthLaws:SocialSecurityLaw(ALRC Issues PaperNo.39)(May2011)
- FamilyViolenceandCommonwealthLaws:ChildSupportandFamilyAssistance(ALRC IssuesPaperNo.38)(June2011)
In 2010-2011, Legal Aid NSW made 36 submissions to a variety of law reform bodies on a wide range of issues affecting our clients and the functions of Legal Aid NSW.
144 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
Publications and resources Appendix 9
Key for 2010-2011+ Newpublications* Newlanguages^ Updatedtocomplywithnew
laws,andpart
About Legal Aid NSWClientservicecharterDoyouhavealegalproblem?(alsoinArabic,*Bengali,*Burmese,TraditionalChinese,SimplifiedChinese,Croatian,*Farsi,Greek,Hindi,*Indonesian,Italian,Khmer,Korean,Laotian,Macedonian,Serbian,Spanish,Tamil,Turkish,Vietnamese;largeprintversion)Questionstoaskyourlawyer(alsoin*Arabic,*SimplifiedChinese,*Greek,*Italian,*Vietnamese)HowtomakeacomplaintChildren’sLegalService^MentalHealthAdvocacyService(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Farsi,Korean,Spanish,Turkish,Vietnamese)ChildSupportService(alsoinArabic,SimplifiedChinese,TraditionalChinese,Farsi,Korean,Spanish,Turkish,Vietnamese)Legalhelpforveteransanddependants^WelcometoLegalAidaudioCDand^translatedfactsheets(^Amharic,^Arabic,^Dari/Farsi,^Dinka,^Pushto,^Somali,^Swahili,^Tigrinya)PrisonersLegalService
Money, Debt and Fines^Areyoubeingsqueezedfordebt?TurningtheTide:storms,floods,insuranceandyou(bookletandfactsheet)^Areyouhavingproblemswithyourhomemortgage?(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Farsi,Korean,Spanish,Turkish,Vietnamese)^Mortgagestresshandbook(2nded)^Areyouhavingproblemswithfines?(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Farsi,Korean,Spanish,Turkish,Vietnamese)^Finedoutbooklet(3rded)+NationalBulkDebtProject
Young people^Getstreetsmart(legalrightsinpublicspaces)^YouthDrugandAlcoholCourtProgramSuperCuzCD(aKoorisuperherofightsforjustice)
Domestic violenceAreyouexperiencingdomesticviolence?(alsoinArabic,SimplifiedChinese,Vietnamese)^ApprehendedViolenceOrders:forapplicants(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Vietnamese)IssomeonemakinganAVOagainstyou?(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Vietnamese)Domesticviolenceoffences:fordefendants(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Vietnamese)^Adviceaboutdomesticviolenceandhelpatcourt(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,SimplifiedChinese,Farsi,Indonesian,Korean,Spanish,Tagalog,Thai,Turkish,Vietnamese);^AboriginalversionSoyouwanttheviolencetostop–walletcard;genericandAboriginalversions
Government and RightsDiscriminationtoolkit+Haveyoubeeninvoluntarilyadmittedtoahospital?^Connectinghumanrightstoeverydaypeople+AppealingtotheSocialSecurityAppealsTribunal+DisabilitySupportPension(alsoin,Arabic,SimplifiedChinese,Farsi,Turkish,Vietnamese)
Families, Relationships and ChildrenWhathappenswhenyourrelationshipends?(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Farsi,Korean,Spanish,Turkish,Vietnamese)DefactorelationshipsandfamilylawWorkingoutwhat’sbestformychildren-(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Farsi,Korean,Spanish,Turkish,Vietnamese)Myex-partnerhastakenourchildrenwithoutmypermission…whatcanIdo?(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Vietnamese)Myex-partnerisn’tfollowingthecourtordersaboutourchildren.WhatcanIdo?
Courts, Police and CrimeGoingtocourtfordefendants(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Vietnamese)ApplyingforSupremeCourtbail(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Vietnamese)^Policepowers,yourrightsandresponsibilities–(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Vietnamese)Characterreferences(alsoin*Arabic,*TraditionalChinese,*Vietnamese)ReviewingLocalCourtdecisions^AppealingLocalCourtdecisions^Understandingbail(alsoinArabic,
TraditionalChinese,Vietnamese)Facingacommittal^Breachingparole
Traffic and drivingPleadingguiltytoadrinkdrivingcharge(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Vietnamese)+Drugs,drivingandyou(alsoinArabic,SimplifiedChinese,Vietnamese)^Haveyoucrashedyourcar?(propertydamage)
Aboriginal+Needanylegalhelp?+Legalhelpwithmentalhealthmatters+Whathappenswhenyourrelationshipends?CaringforkidsinAboriginalfamilies+Areyouhavingproblemswithfines?+Gotaproblemwithchildsupport?Soyouwanttheviolencetostop.GettinganApprehendedViolenceOrderSuperCuzCD(aKoorisuperherofightsforjustice)
Older people^Areyouexperiencingviolenceorabuse?(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Greek,Italian,Vietnamese)^Helpingyourfamilyfinancially?(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Greek,Italian,Vietnamese)Changingyouraccommodationarrangements?^Movinginwiththefamily?(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Greek,Italian,Vietnamese)^Whowilldecideforyouifyoucan’tdecideforyourself?(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Greek,Italian,Vietnamese)Areyouagrandparent?AudioCDpackage–fiveCDsonlegalissuesforolderpeople+Whymakeawill?(alsoinArabic,TraditionalChinese,Greek,Italian,Vietnamese)+Speakingformyself+Theywantmetoleave
Posters and cardsSoyouwanttheviolencetostop;(alsoinAboriginalversion)LegalAidNSWposterWho’swhointheLocalCourtYouthhotlineLegalisuesforolderpeopleYouthhotlinewalletcard
OtherBookmarks–onlinepublicationsorders;+Aboriginalresources,meanstestcalculator
We produce over 60 publications in 30 languages. Some of these are available in almost 30 other languages. In 2010-2011, we distributed 647,800 free publications to members of the community and other agencies.
HoW to orDer Useouronlineorderingsystem:
www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/pubsonlineEmail:publications@legalaid.nsw.gov.auorphoneourPublicationsUniton92195028.
145Annual Report 2010–2011
Table A: Number of applications by type of applicant and outcome*
Access granted in
full
Access granted in
part
Access refused in
full
Information not held
Information already
available
Refuse to deal with
application
Refuse to confirm/
deny whether information is
held
Application withdrawn
Media 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Members of Parliament
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private sector business
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Not for profit organisations or community groups
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Members of the public (application by legal representative)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Members of the public (other)
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
*More than one decision can be made in respect of a particular access application. If so, a recording must be made in relation to each such decision. This also applies to Table B.
Table B: Number of applications by type of application and outcome Access
granted in full
Access granted in
part
Access refused
in full
Information not held
Information already
available
Refuse to deal with
application
Refuse to confirm/deny whether
information is held
Application withdrawn
Personal information applications*
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Access applications (other than personal information applications)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Access applications that are partly personal information applications and partly other
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*A personal information application is an access application for personal information (as defined in clause 4 of Schedule 4 to the Act) about the applicant (the applicant being an individual).
Table C: Invalid applications No of applications
Reason for invalidity
Application does not comply with formal requirements (section 41 of the Act)
Application is for excluded information of the agency (section 43 of the Act)
Application contravenes restraint order (section 110 of the Act)
Total number of invalid applications received 0Invalid applications that subsequently became valid applications 0
Right to information Appendix 10Statistical information about formal access applications under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009
146 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
Table D: Conclusive presumption of overriding public interest against disclosure: matters listed in Schedule 1 to the GIPA Act Numberoftimesconsiderationused*
Overriding secrecy laws 0Cabinet information 0Executive Council information 0Contempt 0Legal professional privilege 0Excluded information 0Documents affecting law enforcement and public safety 1Transport safety 0
Adoption 0Care and protection of children 0Ministerial code of conduct 0Aboriginal and environmental heritage 0
* More than one public interest consideration may apply in relation to a particular access application and, if so, each such consideration is to be recorded (but only once per application). This also applies in relation to Table E.
Table E: Other public interest considerations against disclosure: matters listed in table to section 14 of the GIPA Act
Number of occasions when application not successful
Responsible and effective government 0Law enforcement and security 0Individual rights, judicial processes and natural justice 1Business interests of agencies and other persons 1Environment, culture, economy and general matters 0Secrecy provisions 0Exempt documents under interstate Freedom of Information legislation 0
Table F: Timeliness Number of applications
Decided within the statutory timeframe (20 days plus any extensions) 3Decided after 35 days (by agreement with applicant) 0Not decided within time (deemed refusal) 0Total 3
Table G: Number of applications reviewed under Part 5 of the GIPA Act (by type of review and outcome)
Decision varied Decision upheld Total
Internal review n/a n/a 0Review by Information Commissioner* Not known
pending review Not known
pending review 1
Internal review following recommendation under section 93 of the GIPA Act
n/a
n/a
0
Review by the Administrative Decisions Tribunal n/a n/a 0Total Not known
pending review Not known
pending review 1
*The Information Commissioner does not have the authority to vary decisions, but can make recommendations to the original decision-maker.
Table H: Applications for review under Part 5 of the GIPA Act (by type of applicant) Number of applications for review
Applications by access applicants 1Applications by persons to whom information the subject of access application relates (see section 54 of the Act)
0
147Annual Report 2010–2011
Outcomes What we achieved
Disability Action Plan 2010-2011
Disability Action Plan Appendix 11
ThisisthefinalyearofthecurrentDisabilityActionPlan.Anewplanwillbedevelopedfor2011-2013.LegalAidNSWisaUniversalService,definedundertheGuidelinesfordisabilityactionplanningbyNSWGovernmentagencies.Auniversalserviceisamainstreamserviceaccessedbylargenumbersofpeoplewithadisability.Wearerequiredtoachievefivemainoutcomes,specifiedbyAgeing,DisabilityandHomeCare.AsummaryofkeyperformancehighlightsfromtheDisabilityActionPlanagainsttheseoutcomesare:
5. Increase employment participation and retention of people with a disability in the NSW public sector
4. Assist people with a disability to take part in public consultations and to apply for and participate in government advisory boards and committees
3. Make buildings and facilities physically accessible to people with disabilities
2. Provide information and services in a range of accessible formats
• Deliveredmoretrainingtoimprovedisabilityconfidenceinclientsupportstaff,tosupportclientswithadisability.
• Undertookover400clientsurveystoobtaininformationthatwillassistinthedevelopmentofsocialexclusionindicators.
• ImprovedservicestoclientswithintellectualdisabilityandmentalhealthproblemsbydevelopingapilotintheShoalhavenareatomaketheservicesoftheClientAssessment&ReferralsServiceavailabletoprivatelawyersactingforlegallyaidedclients.
• UpdatedtheLegalAidadviceformtoincludeinformationondisability.• Continuedtopromotesuccessfulclientoutcomesforpeoplewithadisabilityin
theLegalAidNSWnewsletter.• ProvidedallmanagerswithA Manager’s Guide: Disability in the Workplace.• Providedawiderangeoftrainingandcommunitylegaleducationto65staff.
1. Identify and remove barriers to services or people with a disability
• ProvidedinformationinarangeofaccessibleformatsincludinglargeprintandCDs.
• UpdatedtheLegalAidapplicationforminconsultationwithVisionAustralia.Ane-textversionisontheinternetandpeopleusingassistivetechnologysuchasscreenreaderscannowcompletetheformonline.
• ProducedanewDisabilitySupportPensionBrochuretohelppeopleunderstandthequalifyingcriteriaforDSP.
• IncorporatedaccessibilityinformationintothenewwebsiteandinplainEnglish.Introductoryinformationaboutlegalaidwillbeavailableinaudiofilesinseverallanguages.
• UndertookmodificationsattheCentralSydneyofficetoinstallaccessibletoiletsonfourfloors.
• Developedspecificationsforfitoutofthenewtrainingcentreincludingseveralenhancedfacilitiesforpeoplewithadisability.
• Deliveredcommunitylegaleducationtocommunityworkersworkingwithpeoplewhohavementalhealthissues.
• Delivered25communitylegaleducationeventsforpeoplewithadisabilityandthosewithmentalhealthissues.
• Providedamentoringandjobplacementopportunitiesfortwopeoplewithadisabilityreferredbyexternalorganisations.
• MentalHealthandWellbeingGroupdevelopednewinitiativesaimedatimprovingpsychologicalinjurymanagement.Itiscurrentlypreparingrecommendationstointroduceprogramsandactivitiesaimedatachievingthatresult.
148 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
Multicultural Action Plan 2010-2011
1. Responsiveness
2. Effective community engagement
Multicultural Action Plan Appendix 12
3. Leadership
4. Cultural competence
A summary of key performance highlights from the Multicultural Action Plan.
• EstablishedapilotthatexaminedinterpreterusageandcostsinCommunityLegalCentresandprovidedfundingforinterpretercosts.
• Delivered41communitylegaleducationsessionstonewlyarrivedmigrants.• Developedlegaltheatrescriptstoassistindeliveringcommunitylegaleducationto
targeted,emergingcommunities.• Developednewstandardequityquestionsforinclusioninapplicationsfromprivate
solicitorswishingtoundertakelegalaidwork.• Developedaculturallyappropriatemodelforfamilydisputeresolutionthroughthe
establishmentofcadetshipsfor10lawyersfrommulticulturalbackgrounds.
• Publishedkeybrochuresinarangeoflanguagesforemergingcommunities.• ParticipatedinseveralcommunityeventsacrossNSW,providinglegalinformation
andeducationtoimproveaccesstojustice.• UndertookareviewofsystemsforreportingusageoftheCommunityLanguages
AllowanceScheme.
• MonitoredtheimplementationoftheMulticulturalActionPlanthroughtheAccessandEquityCommittee.
• Promotedandraisedawarenessofaccessandequityissuesforstaff,clientsandstakeholdersthroughtheworkoftheAccessandEquityCommittee,intranet,CEO’smessagesandquarterlynewsletter.
• ProvidedasubmissiononFamily Violence: Improving legal frameworks to the Australian Law Reform Commission
• DeliveredseveraltrainingsessionsonCross Cultural Communication and Using Interpreters.
• Reviewedtheeffectivenessofstaffinductiontrainingondiversityandinclusivepractices.
• InvestigatedscholarshipprogramsforpeoplefromemergingorestablishedcommunitiestoundertakejusticerelatedstudiesandidentifiedasuitableprogramforemergingcommunitiesinNewSouthWales.
Outcomes What we achieved
149Annual Report 2010–2011
A summary of key performance highlights from the Multicultural Action Plan.
LEGAL AID REVIEW COMMITTEESLegal Aid review Committees are independent committees established under the Legal Aid Commission Act 1979 (NSW) to ensure our clients have fair and equitable access to legal aid services. Six committees determine appeals relating to determinations of legal aid applications.
Committeemembershipasat30June2011Legal Aid Review Committee No. 1MrBRow-Chairperson,Minister’sNominee(alternatesMsRGrahamandMrPAnet)MsPWright,BarAssociation/LawSocietyNominee(alternatesMsREverettandMrPBlacketSC)DrTBoyd-Caine,CommunityMember(alternateMrJTerry)Meetings held: 15 and 1 teleconference
Legal Aid Review Committee No. 2MrPRobinson-Chairperson,Minister’sNominee(alternatesMrDNorrisandMsBBaker)MrWTerraciniSC,BarAssociation/LawSocietyNominee(alternatesMrPMenziesandMagistrateBuscombe)MrDKelly,CommunityMember(alternateDrWPorges)
Meetings held: 15 and 2 teleconferences
Legal Aid Review Committee No. 3MrKGarling-Chairperson,Minister’sNominee(alternatesMsSGordonandMsEmmaBayley)MrJMcCarthyQC,BarAssociation/LawSocietyNominee
(alternatesMsGDaleyandMsAHealey)MsTHeness-CommunityMember(alternateMrDKelly)Meetings held: 12
Family Law Legal Aid Review Committee No. 1MsJTownsend-Chairperson,Minister’sNominee(alternatesMsATomlinandMsJStevens)MrJBerry-BarAssociation/LawSocietyNominee(alternatesMrRSchonellandMrCDunn)MrDSword-CommunityMember(alternateMsMTunica)
Meetings held: 8 and 1 teleconference
Family Law Legal Aid Review Committee No. 2MsAWalsh–Chairperson,Minister’sNominee(alternatesMrJMcDonnellandMsCMiller)MrJDowd-BarAssociation/LawSocietyNominee(alternatesMrJLevyandMsMNagle)MsMFaithfull,CommunityMember(alternateMsMGood)
Meetings held: 8 and 1 teleconference
Family Law Legal Aid Review Committee No. 3MsCDrummy–Chairperson,Minister’sNominee(alternatesMsCSamuelsandMrPGuterres)MrMWhelan-BarAssociation/LawSocietyNominee(alternatesMrPLewisandMsKRafton)DrSvanderMye,CommunityMember(alternateMsKGauthier)
Meetings held: 6 and 2 teleconferences
BOARD COMMITTEESSection 68 of the Legal Aid Commission Act 1979 enables Legal Aid NSW to establish special consultative committees in order to advise the Board in the exercise of its functions under the Act.In2009-2010,arangeofcommitteesmaderecommendationstotheBoardinmattersrelatingtoouroperations.
Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)Advised the Board about financial reporting practices, business ethics, policies and practices, accounting policies, and management and internal controls.ItisresponsibleforoverseeingthefinancialperformanceofLegalAidNSWandtheinternalauditfunction.AreportoftheARCisprovidedonpage62.
the members were: Meetings attendedPhillipBickerstaff Chair&Boardmember 11JohnBordon,Boardmember 8KylieBeckhouse NonIndependent,ExecutiveDirectorFamilyLaw 11In attendance:AlanKirkland,CEO&Boardmember 11ClareHamilton,ExecutiveDirectorCorporateFinance 11RussellCox,DeputyCEO,Business&ClientServices(untilDec2010) 6PatriciaO’Farrell,DeputyCEO,Operations&ChiefAuditExecutive(fromMarch2011) 4DavidLunn,ManagementAccountant,LegalAidNSW 2PeterCoulogeorgiou,AuditOffice 2SteveBlack,AuditOffice 1
Meetings held: 11
Committees played an important role in helping us achieve our goals and deliver excellent outcomes to clients.
Significant committees Appendix 13
150 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
Civil Law Sub-CommitteeProvidedadvicetotheCivillawDivisionandtotheBoardaboutcivillawmatters.Thememberswere:AndreaDurbach,Boardmember(Chair)MariaGirdler,BoardmemberAmandaTibbey,NSWBarAssociationMarkHodges,LawSocietyofNSWMoniqueHitter,LegalAidNSWAnnmarieLumsden,LegalAidNSWTimSmith,LegalAidNSWAideenMcGarrigle,LegalAidNSW
Meetings held: 3
Community Legal Centres (CLCs) Sub-CommitteeAdvised the Board on funding for CLCs.the members were:RevHarryHerbert,Boardmember(Chair)MariaGirdler,BoardmemberBarbaraRamjan,BoardmemberHelenCampbell,ChairpersonofCLCNSW(2010)AnnaCody,ChairpersonofCLCNSW(2011)AlastairMcEwin,DirectorofCLCNSWPatrickO’Callaghan,AlternateBoardmemberLegalAidNSWstaffmembersassistingthesub-committeeinclude:RichardFunston,ExecutiveDirectorLegalServices,GrantsandCommunityPartnershipsBronwynMcCutcheon,ManagerCLCProgramJaneCipants,ProjectandPolicyOfficer,CLCProgramTimikaWilliams,CLCProjectOfficer
Meetings held: 4
Grants Sub-Committee Made recommendations to the Board in relation to work of the Grants Division.the members were: MaryMacken,LawSocietyofNSW(Chair)IanMcClintockSC,NSWBarAssociationRichardFunston,ExecutiveDirectorGrants&CommunityPartnerships
AnnmarieLumsden,Director,GrantsMeetings held: 2
ADVISORY COMMITTEESAboriginal Justice CommitteeAdvised the Ceo on Aboriginal justice initiatives, service delivery, employment strategies, and building partnerships with external agencies.the members were:Legal Aid NSW ScottHawkins,Director,AboriginalServices,(Chair)AlanKirkland,CEO,LegalAidNSWPatriciaO’Farrell,DeputyCEO,LegalAidNSWRichardFunston,ExecutiveDirectorGrants&CommunityPartnershipsKylieBeckhouse,ExecutiveDirector,FamilyLawBrianSandland,ExecutiveDirector,CriminalLawAnnmarieLumsden,ExecutiveDirectorGrants,StrategicPolicy,Planning&ManagementMoniqueHitter,Director,CivilLawDivision,LegalAidNSWJennyLovric,CLSDProgramManagerJanelleClarke,AboriginalServicesUnit,LegalAidNSWLottieCeissman,AboriginalServicesUnit,LegalAidNSWexternal partners GerryMoore,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,AboriginalLegalServiceNSW/ACTJohnMcKenzie,PrincipalSolicitor,AboriginalLegalServiceNSW/ACTMelissaShorter,AboriginalStaffNetworkRepresentative,LegalAidNSWRachaelMartin,PrincipalLegalOfficer,WirringaBaiyaZacharyArmytage,AboriginalLegalAccessProgramCoordinator,CommunityLegalCentresNSW
Meetings held: 4
Children’s Court Assistance Scheme (CCAS) Advisory Group Advised Legal Aid NSW on the operation of the Children’s Court Assistance Schemes and policy/guidelines issues.
the members were:LeahCruickshank,CoordinatorofParramattaandBiduraCCASsandAboriginalCoordinatorfortheProgramStanSmall,CCASworkeratParramattaandBiduraCCASsSharonCallaghan,CoordinatorofPortKemblaCCASTraceyYoung,CoordinatorofWyongandWoyWoyCCASsBarbaraSimpson,CoordinatorofCampbelltownCCASLisetteDaniels,CoordinatorofBroadmeadowandMaitlandCCASs(toApril2011)JasonHolland,CoordinatorofBroadmeadowandMaitlandCCASs(fromMay2011)TimikaWilliams,CLCProjectOfficer,LegalAidNSWBronwynMcCutcheon,Manager,CommunityLegalCentresProgramMeetings held: 4
Cooperative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) Program Steering CommitteeProvided guidance to the CLSD Program Unit.the members were:JennyLovric(Chair),CLSDProgramUnit,LegalAidNSWLouiseBlazejowska,ManagerLegalServicesDevelopment,LegalAidNSWKimGabler,CLSDProgramCoordinator,LegalAidNSW(toAugust2010)KirstenCameron,A/GCLSDProgramCoordinator,LegalAidNSW(August2010–December2011)GlennSofinowski,A/GCLSDProgramCoordinator,LegalAidNSW(fromFebruary2011)ChristineJohnson,LegalAidNSWGrantArbuthnot,Tenant’sUnionNSWKenBeilby,Tenant’sUnionNSWRaymondBrazil,AboriginalLegalService(NSW/ACT)LimitedJohnMcKenzie,AboriginalLegalService(NSW/ACT)LimitedJudithLevitan,NSWLegalAssistanceForumJaneKenny,Law&JusticeFoundationofNSW(fromJune2010)AnneCregan,BlakeDawson
Appendix 13
151Annual Report 2010–2011
Significant committees Appendix 13
AmeliaDavis,BlakeDawson(toDecember2010)HeidiFairhall,BlakeDawson(fromJanuary2011)MiaZahra,LawAccessNSWJohnPinnock,PublicInterestLawClearingHouseKylieNicholls,CourtServices,DepartmentofAttorneyGeneralandJusticeAngelaPollard,NorthernRiversCommunityLegalCentreAlastairMcEwin,CommunityLegalCentresNSWVickiGeraghty,FinancialCounsellorsAssociationofNSW(toApril2011)JimConnolly,FinancialCounsellorsAssociationofNSW(fromApril2011)NeridaHarvey,LawSocietyofNSWSueWalden,LegalInformationAccessCentre,StateLibraryofNSWCatherineBryant,LegalInformationAccessCentre,StateLibraryofNSW
Meetings held: 4
Environmental Consultative CommitteeAdvised Legal Aid NSW on public interest environmental law matters and made recommendations on whether grants of aid should be made.
the members were:ProfessorDavidFarrier,UniversityofWollongong(Chair)DrAlanJones,AustralianMuseumNicolaFranklin,UniversityofSydneyDrAndrewKelly,UniversityofWollongong(alternatemember)AssociateProfessorPaulAdam,UniversityofNSW(alternatemember)ProfessorBenBoer,UniversityofSydney(alternatemember)Thu-HaNguyen,LegalAidNSWJoshuaKulawiec,LegalAidNSW
Meetings held: 4
Human Rights Committee Advised Legal Aid NSW on public interest human rights matters and made recommendations on whether grants of legal aid should be made. the committee considered 43 matters in 2010-2011 and funded 31.
the members were:VednaJivan,UniversityofTechnologySydney(Chair)NicoleWatson,UniversityofTechnologySydneyJustineNolan,UniversityofNSWNicholasPoynder,Barrister(alternatemember)PaulineWright,SolicitorDeborahWilcox,Solicitor(alternatemember)PaulBatley,BarristerAlexGrosart,LegalAidNSW(ExecutiveOfficertoOctober2010)LynPayne(ExecutiveOfficerOctober2010toJuly2011)
Meetings held: 11
Older Persons Legal and Education Program (OPLEP) Steering Committee Advised the Program on strategic direction, new services, initiatives and research.the members were:RichardFunston,LegalAidNSW(Chair)RussellWestacott,CEO,TheAged-careRightsService(TARS)TomCowen,PrincipalSolicitor,OlderPersonsLegalService,TARSAlastairMcEwin,Director,CommunityLegalCentresNSWSueField,NSWTrusteeandGuardianFellowinElderLaw,SchoolofLaw,UniversityofWesternSydneySueWalden,LegalInformationAccessCentre,StateLibraryofNSWJanePritchard,Director,LawAccessNSWJulianneEvans,A/Director,LawAccessNSWMoniqueHitter,ExecutiveDirector,CivilLaw,LegalAidNSWLaurenFinestone,Solicitor,OlderPersonsLegalandEducationUnit,LegalAidNSWBronwynMcCutcheon,Manager,CommunityLegalCentresProgram,LegalAidNSWIanDay,CEO,CouncilontheAgeingNSWMillieIngram,WyangaAboriginalCommunityAgedCareProgramAnnmarieElias,SeniorPolicyAdviser,OfficeoftheHonAndrewConstance
MP,MinisterforAgeingKateFinlayson,MediaandCommunityInformationOfficer,AboriginalLegalService(NSW/ACT)ZacharyArmytage,ALAPCommunityDevelopmentWorker,CommunityLegalCentresNSWScottHawkins,Director,AboriginalServices,LegalAidNSW
Meetings held: 3
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program (WDVCAP) Advisory CommitteeAdvised the Ceo on the implementation, administration and guidelines of the WDVCAP including funding priorities.the members were:MichelleJones,ManagerWDVCAP,LegalAidNSWBevLazarou,ProjectOfficer,WDVCAP,LegalAidNSWRachelleJohnston,ProjectOfficer,WDVCAP,LegalAidNSWEllyRaffo,WDVCASNetworkIncRepresentativeDanielleNeves,WDVCASNetworkIncRepresentative(Rural)KaleeshaMorris,WDVCASNetworkIncRepresentative(AboriginalSpecialistWorker)TatyaHastie,WDVCASNetworkIncRepresentative(CALDSpecialistWorker)MariaGirdler,LegalAidNSWBoardRepresentativeRobynAuld,SeniorProgramsOfficer,PolicyandPrograms,NSWPoliceForceChristineRobinson,Coordinator,WirringaBaiyaAboriginalWomen’sCentreSamanthaChung,PolicyOfficer,MulticulturalDisabilityAdvocacyAssociation(fromMarch2010)AlexFaraguna,IntellectualDisabilityRightsServiceIncJanetLoughmanPrincipalSolicitor,Women’sLegalServicesNSW(toNovember2011)HelenCampbell,ExecutiveOfficer,Women’sLegalServicesNSW(fromNovember2010)KylieNicholls,A/AssistantDirector,
152 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
CourtServices,NSWAttorneyGeneral’sDepartment
Meetings held: 4
INTERNAL COMMITTEESAccess and Equity CommitteeMonitored the implementation of the Disability Action Plan and Multicultural Action Plan as well as identified matters for specific attention.
the members were:AlanKirkland,CEO(Chair)RichardFunston,ExecutiveDirector,Grants&CommunityPartnershipsDoraDimos,Manager,ProfessionalPracticesPamKing,Manager,Planning&BusinessReportingJanPittard,SeniorLearning&DevelopmentConsultantChristineJohnson,RegionalAdministrativeCoordinator,LegalServicesRaniaSaab,Lawyer,FamilyLawBankstownVaughanRoles,CriminalLawLegalEducationSolicitor,GrantsRouadaEl-Ayoubi,Lawyer,FamilyLitigationMatthewGreenaway,RegionalProgramCoordinator,CriminalLawDavidNorman,Lawyer,MentalHealthAdvocacyService,LegalAidNSWJuneWoolcott,DirectorOperationalSupport
Meetings held: 2
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) CommitteeIn accordance with s18 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, the committee’s role is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of people in the workplace. the oH&S Committee ensured representation and active review of oH&S issues. LegalAidNSWhasmetthetargetsrequiredundertheWorkingTogetherStrategyensuringcontinuousimprovementtoourOH&Sandinjurymanagementprocesses.
the members were:employer representativesRussellCox,Executive(until31December2010)AnnmarieLumsden(from1February2011)JenniferBulkeley,HumanResources(until30June2011)NohadGhibely,ExecutiveOfficerJuneWoolcott,Business&ClientServicesChristineJohnson,ExecutiveRobertWheeler,CivilLawDivisionemployee representativesShirlAcland,MetropolitanRegion(Chair)SevdaCranston,MetropolitanRegion(until20November2010)AmandaZerbst,MetropolitanRegionDigantaKumar,MetropolitanRegionFionaPace,NorthernRegionWendyKilroy,NorthernRegionMichaelBrian,NorthernRegionLauraCamac,NorthernRegionAllysonWatson,SouthernRegionMeetings held: 5
Peak Consultative CommitteeMeets bi-monthly to discuss issues affecting Legal Aid NSW in accordance with the Premier’s Consultative Arrangements.the members were:Legal Aid NSW AlanKirkland,CEORussellCox,DeputyCEO,BusinessandClientServices(until31December2010)JenniferBulkeley,DirectorHumanResourcesNohadGhibely,SeniorHRMConsultant
Public Service AssociationRaeCameron(from1October2010)SueEmery(until30August2010)JohnMoratelliStephenSpencer(until30October2010)ThanePearce(from1February2011)
Meetings held: 5
OTHER INTERNAL COMMITTEESATLASConsultativeCommitteeCivilLawAdvice(CentralSydney)ReviewCommitteeCivilLawFeesReferenceGroupCommunityLegalEducationSteeringCommitteeDomesticandFamilyViolenceCommitteeExecutiveMeetingGroupE-RecruitmentWorkingPartyExpensiveCriminalCasesCommitteeFamilyDisputeResolutionReferenceGroupFamilyViolenceSpecialistNetworkFamilyViolenceConsultativeCommitteeGrantsCivilLawLiaisonCommitteeGrantsDivisionATLASWorkingGroupGrantsFamilyLawMeetingGrantsIssuesRegisterCommitteeGrantsOHSSub-CommitteeGrantsProfessionalPracticesBranchMeetingGrantsSeniorManagersMeetingGrantsTeamLeadersMeetingHumanRightsSub-CommitteeICTSteeringCommitteeIT/StrategicPlanningandPolicy/GrantsMeetingLearningManagementSystemContributorsGroupLearningandDevelopmentExecutiveCommitteeLegalInformationandReferralProjectReferenceGroupLibraryConsultationCommitteeLegalManagementGroupMeetingMeansTestandContributionPolicyReview–ProjectReferenceGroupMentalHealthandWellbeingGroupRegionalRuralandRemoteWorkingGroupSavingsImplementationPlanCommitteeServiceDeskImplementationCommitteeSocialInclusionConsultationCommitteeStart-UpGrantsCommitteeSystemsMeetingWorkingGroupTelephoneWorkingGroupTrialEfficiencyWorkingGroup
Appendix 13
153Annual Report 2010–2011
Working with other organisations Appendix 14
Legal Aid NSW staff were members of over 130 inter-agency committees that contributed to improving access to justice for disadvantaged communities.
NATIONAL LEGAL AID COMMITTEESChildSupportNetworkCriminalLawWorkingGroupConsumerLawWorkingGroupDisputeResolutionWorkingGroupFamilyLawWorkingGroupGrantsandNationalStatisticsWorkingGroupHumanResourcesWorkingGroupNationalLegalAidDirectors
NSW LEGAL ASSISTANCE FORUM (NLAF)AvailabilityofLawyersforDisadvantagedPeopleinRegional,RuralandRemoteNSWDomesticViolenceWorkingPartyEmploymentLawServicesWorkingGroupPrisonersWorkingGroupTrainingReferenceGroup
LAW SOCIETY OF NSW COMMITTEESCriminalLawCommitteeElderLawandSuccessionCommitteeFamilyLawIssuesJuvenileJusticeCommitteeLawWeekBoardLawWeekPlanningCommitteeYoungLawyersFamilyLaw
ABORIGINAL FORUMSAboriginalCommunityJusticeGroups,(CampbelltownandMtDruittandregionalforums)AboriginalFamilyPlanningCircleGoodServiceForum(multi-NSWGovernmentagency)Tharawal(Campbelltown)LocalAboriginalLandCouncilandMedicalService
CIVIL LAW COMMITTEESAdministrativeAppealsTribunalMigrationUserGroupAdministrativeAppealsTribunalusersmeetingsforsocialsecurityandveteransaffairsAsylumSeekerInteragencymeetingsAustralianSecuritiesandInvestmentsCommissionInsuranceAdvisoryPanelCentrelinkHomelessnessInteragencyClientReferenceGroupforNSW,DepartmentofImmigration&CitizenshipConsumer,Trader&TenancyTribunal’sTenancyDivisionConsultativeForumsFinancialOmbudsmanServiceBoardFinancialOmbudsmanService’sGeneralInsuranceandInsuranceBrokingAdvisoryCommitteeHousingInteragencies(ClarenceValley,CoffsHarbour,Kempsey)InsuranceCouncilofAustraliaConsumerReferenceGroupMentalHealthInquiriesMonitoringGroupNationalOlderPersonsLegalServicesNetwork
NSWAsylumSeekerandRefugeeForum,DepartmentofImmigration&CitizenshipOlderPersonsLegalEducationProgramSteeringCommitteeParksLegalWorkingGroupPlanningforLaterLifeInteragencyForumPossessionListUsersGroup,SupremeCourtPublicInterestLawClearingHouseBoardRefugeeAdvice&CaseworkService’sManagementCommitteeRefugeeReviewTribunalcommunityconsultationsRegionalHomelessnessActionPlanCommittees(SouthEast,WesternSydney,RiverinaMurray,WesternRiverina,NorthCoast,Illawarra)ResidentialParksForumRetirementVillagesAdvisoryCouncilRiverinaMurrayHomelessOperationGroupRiverinaYouthInteragencyShoalhavenHomelessnessInteragencyCommitteeTenancyLegalWorkingPartyTreasuryEquityReleaseWorkingGroupUniversityofNSWLawSchool(curriculumdevelopment)WelfareRightsCentreBoardWomen’sAdvisoryCouncil,CorrectiveServicesNSWWorkandDevelopmentOrderMonitoringCommittee
Legal Aid NSW staff were members of over 130 inter-agency committees that contributed to improving access to justice for disadvantaged communities.
154 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
CRIMINAL LAW COMMITTEESBailRoundtableChildren’sCourtAssistanceSchemeAdvisoryCommitteeCommonwealthDirectorofPublicProsecutions/LegalAidNSWLiaisonMeetingCourtReferralofEligibleDefendantsintoTreatment(CREDIT),DepartmentofAttorneyGeneral&JusticeIntellectualDisabilityRightsService/LegalAidSteeringCommitteeLocalCourtsUsersForumsatvariouslocationsMagistratesEarlyReferralintoTreatmentSteeringCommittee(DowningCentre&Waverley)PacificIslanderCommunityOutreachProject(Campbelltown),DepartmentofJusticeandAttorneyGeneralSexualOffencesWorkingPartyTrialEfficienciesWorkingGroup
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMITTEESApprehendedViolenceOrdersLegalIssuesCoordinatingCommittee(AVLICC),DepartmentofAttorneyGeneral&JusticeBetterCourtSupport,DepartmentofAttorneyGeneral&JusticeCrossAgencyRiskAssessment(CARAM),NSWHealthDomesticViolenceLiaisonCommittee(Bankstown,Lismore,Tamworth)DomesticViolenceCourtInterventionModelProgramManagementGroup,DepartmentofAttorneyGeneral&JusticeDomesticViolenceSeniorOfficer’sGroup,DepartmentofPremierandCabinet
FamilyLawDomesticViolenceConsultativeCommitteeFamilyViolenceSpecialistNetworkIntersectoralDomesticandFamilyViolenceWorkforceTraining(IDFVW),NSWHealthMinimumStandardsforMen’sBehaviourGroupProgramsAdvisoryGroupNSWStandardisedDomesticViolencePackage,DepartmentofJusticeandAttorneyGeneralNSWCommunityServices,StayingHome,LeavingViolenceProjectSafeRelationshipsAdvisoryMeeting,InnerCityLegalCentre
FAMILY LAW COMMITTEESAnglicareShoalhavenAustralianDisputeResolutionAssociation(NSW)Ballina/ByronFamilyCentreBankstownCommunityAdvisoryCommitteeBlacktownCommunityInteragencyCatholicCare,WollongongChildSupportStateStakeholderGroupChildSupportLiaisonGroupChildSupportNationalStakeholderEngagementGroupChildren’sCourtAdvisoryCommitteeChildren’sCourtWorkingPartyChildren’sLawNewsEditorialBoardCommonwealthOmbudsmanChildSupportIssuesNetworkCommunityInteragencyNetwork(Blacktown,Wagga)CourtUsersForumsinvariouslocationsExpertAdvisoryCommitteeonADR,DepartmentofJustice&AttorneyGeneralFamilyContactCentreSteering
Committee(Newcastle)FamilyRelationshipCentresLegalServicesSteeringCommitteeFamilyRelationshipCentresCommunityReferenceGroups(Dubbo,Newcastle,NorthernRivers,SydneySouth,WaggaWagga,Wollongong)FamilyPathwaysGroups(CoffsHarbour,Hunter,Illawarra,Lismore,NorthernRivers,Riverina,Ryde,AlburyWodonga)FamilyContactCentreSteeringCommittee(Newcastle)GreaterSydneyFamiliesinTransitionNetworkGroupGriffithNeighbourhoodGroupJean’sPlaceRefuge(managementcommittee)MagellanProgram,FamilyCourtSteeringCommitteeNationalMediationAccreditationCommitteeNewcastleInterrelateShoalcoastLegalCentreManagementCommitteeSouthCoastConsultativeCommitteeTweedShireIntegratedResponsetoDomesticandFamilyViolenceCommitteeWomenintheLocalMacarthurArea(women’shealthservice)YouthConnections,HousingNSW
Appendix 14
155Annual Report 2010–2011
GENERAL COMMITTEESHumanResourceandTrainingWorkingGroup,DepartmentofAttorneyGeneralandJusticeHumanResourcePolicySub-Committee,DepartmentofAttorneyGeneralandJusticeJoinedUpJusticeGovernanceCommitteeJoinedUpJusticeProjectTeam(PublicProsecutionsandLegalAidNSW)JointOutreachInitiativeNetwork(JOIN),NSW&CommonwealthOmbudsmanJusticeExecutive,DepartmentofAttorneyGeneralandJusticeJustice(Libraries)ConsortiumJusticeSectorInformationExchangeCommunicationCommittee,DepartmentofAttorneyGeneralandJusticeLawAccess(Boardmembership)LearningandDevelopmentManagersForum(acrossPublicSector)
LegalInformationAccessCentreAdvisoryBoardLegalInformationandReferralForum,Law&JusticeFoundationofNSWMidSizeAgenciesOH&SandInjuryManagementForum(MIDAS)NationalJusticeCEOsGrouponMentalIllnessandCognitiveDisabilityPrimeMinister’sCouncilonHomelessnessPublicInterestAdvocacyCentre(Boardmembership)PublicSectorCHRISUserGroupStateProgramManagers/CommonwealthAttorneyGeneral’sDepartmentCommunityLegalServicesProgramMeetingsGroupTrainingWorkingGroup,DepartmentofAttorneyGeneralandJustice
156 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
Policies in brief Appendix 15
Legal Aid NSW has eligibility policies to ensure our services are fair and consistent and that we achieve our aim of targeting our services to the socially and economically disadvantaged. In deciding whether an applicant is eligible for legal aid, Legal Aid NSW may apply the following four tests which are summarised below.
1. Jurisdiction testThejurisdictiontestlooksatwhetherlegalaidisavailableinthatjurisdictionandareaoflaw.Legalaidisavailableforthefollowingtypesofmatters:
Family law: State• Propertysettlementmatters• Adoptionproceedingsin
exceptionalcircumstances• CareandProtectionmatters• Compulsoryschoolingorder
proceedingsintheChildren’sCourt
Family law: Commonwealth• Parentingmatters(separate
representationforchildrenalsoavailable)
• Mattersrelatingtothelocationand/orrecoveryofachild
• Propertysettlementmatters• Spousalanddefacto
maintenancematters• Childsupportandchild
maintenancematters• Dissolutionandnullityof
marriagemattersinlimitedcircumstances
• Internationalchildabductionmattersinlimitedcircumstances
• Contemptofcourtandbreachofcourtordersproceedingswheretheapplicantforlegalaidistherespondentinlimitedcircumstances
• ProceedingsintheFamilyCourtconcerningaspecial
medicalprocedureforachild
Civil law: State• Matterswhereitislikelythe
applicantwilllosehisorherhome
• Consumerprotectionmatters• Tenancymatters• Mattersinvolvinglossof
civilliberties,e.g.falseimprisonment,maliciousprosecution
• Preventativedetentionmatters• Discriminationmatters
beforetheEqualOpportunityDivisionoftheAdministrativeDecisionsTribunal
• Mattersunderprohibitedemploymentlegislation(workingwithchildren)
• Trusteeandguardianshipmatters
• MattersrelatingtothemakingorreviewofaPublicHealthorder
• CoronialInquestmattersinlimitedcircumstances
• Publicinterestenvironmentmatters
• Publicinteresthumanrightsmatters
• ProceedingsconcerningaspecialmedicalprocedureintheGuardianshipTribunal
Civil law: State: Mental health• ProceedingsbeforetheMental
HealthReviewTribunalincludingMagistrate’sinquiries
• CommunityTreatmentOrdermatters
• Trusteeandguardianshipmatters
• AppealstotheMentalHealthReviewTribunalandSupremeCourt
• Matterswheretheapplicantisaforensicpatient
• MattersundertheMental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990
• Protectedestateordermatters,includingproceedingsintheAdministrativeDecisionsTribunal
• MattersrelatingtodependencycertificatesandappealsundertheDrug and Alcohol Treatment Act 2007 pilotprogram
Civil law: State: Applicants at special disadvantageLegalaidisalsoavailableforawiderrangeofstatecivillawmatterswheretheapplicantisat‘specialdisadvantage’.Apersonatspecialdisadvantageis:achildoranapplicantactingonbehalfofachild;orapersonwhohassubstantialdifficultyindealingwiththelegalsystembyreasonofasubstantialpsychiatriccondition,developmentaldisability,intellectualimpairmentoraphysicaldisability.
Civil law: Commonwealth Matters arising under a Commonwealth Act, limited to:• Adecisionaffectingthereceipt
oramountofaCommonwealthemployee’scompensationoraCommonwealthpension,benefitorallowance
• AdecisionoractionbytheCommonwealthinrelationtoapersonthathasarealprospectofaffectingtheperson’scapacitytocontinueintheirusualoccupation
• Discriminationmatters• Migrationmatters• Consumerprotectionmatters• Proceedsofcrimematters• Extraditionproceedings• PublicInterestHumanRights
matters• Certainappealsfromdecisions
oftheVeterans’ReviewBoard;forexample,thoseinrelationtowar-causeddisabilitypensionentitlementorassessmentclaims,andclaimsthatrelatetowarlikeornon-warlikeservice
157Annual Report 2010–2011
Appendix 15
Criminal law: Local Court matters• Mostmatterscommenced
byapolicecourtattendancenotice,exceptfordrinkdrivingandrelatedoffencesunlessthereisarealpossibilityofgaolorexceptionalcircumstancesexist
• Mostmatterscommencedotherthanbyapolicechargeifthereisarealpossibilityofgaolorexceptionalcircumstancesexist
• Bailapplications• Applicationsforanannulment
ofconvictionorsentence• Matterswheretheapplicant
iscontestingaforensicprocedureapplication
• Somematterswheretheapplicantisparticipatinginarestorativejusticeprogram
• Committalproceedings• Domesticviolence
proceedings• Drugcourtmatters
Criminal law: District, Supreme, Court of Criminal Appeal and High Court matters• Indictablematters• Appeals• Bailapplications• MatterswheretheDPPhas
appliedforanacquittedpersontoberetried
• Petitionsforreviewofaconvictionorsentence,inquiriesintoaconvictionorsentence,andapplicationstoareviewpaneltoreviewaconvictionorsentence
• Matterswhereaconvictionistobequashedfollowingafreepardonorinquiry
• MatterswheretheapplicantisthedefendantinaprosecutionintheLandandEnvironmentCourtunderenvironmentalprotectionlegislation,inlimitedcircumstances
• Preventativedetentionordermatters
• Extendedsupervisionorder,continuingdetentionorderandcontrolordermatters,includingmattersundertheCrimes (Serious Sex Offenders) Act 2006
Criminal Law: Children’s criminal matters• ProceedingsintheChildren’s
Courtincludingcommittals• Trialsandsentencematters
intheDistrictandSupremeCourts
• Appeals• Matterswherethechildis
participatinginarestorativejusticeprogram
• Matterswherethechildisactingasaninformant,inlimitedcircumstances
Criminal Law: Prisoners matters• Visitingjusticeproceedings• Lifere-sentencingapplications• ParoleBoardReviewhearings• Reviewsofsegregation
directions
2. Means testLegalAidNSWappliesameanstestwhichlooksatanapplicant’sincomeandassetsto:(a)assesswhetherthatpersonis
eligibletoreceivelegalaid;and(b)determinehowmuch
contributionanapplicantwillpaytowardsthecostofprovidingtheservice.
The means test consists of three sub-tests:1. Income testTheincometestisappliedtotheapplicant’snetassessableincome,whichistheapplicant’sgrossassessableincomelessallowabledeductions.Allowabledeductionsincludeincometaxpaid,housingcosts,anallowancefordependants,childsupportandchildcarecosts.ApplicantsforlegalaidreceivingoneoftheeligibleCentrelinkincomesupportpaymentsatthemaximumratewillsatisfytheincomepartofthemeanstest.
2. Assets testTheassetstestisappliedtotheapplicant’snetassessableassets,whicharetheapplicant’sgrossassessableassetslessexcludedassets.Examplesofexcludedassetsarehouseholdfurniture,clothing,worktools,lumpsumpayments,andhome,motorvehicleandfarm/businessequityuptoacertainvalue.
3. Ability to pay legal costs testLegalAidNSWalsoconsiderstheapplicant’sabilitytopaylegalcosts,havingregardtohisorhergeneralassetsandabilitytorealiseorsecurealoan.Theapplicationwillberefusedwheretheapplicant’slifestyle,activitiesand/orinterestssuggestthats/hehasaccesstosufficientmeanstobeabletopayforlegalcosts.
158 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
ContributionsIfyouaregrantedlegalaid,youmayberequiredtomakeaninitialcontributionbasedonincomeandassets.Certaincasesareexempt.Attheconclusionofthecaseorthelegalaidgrant,LegalAidNSWmayrecoverthetotalcostsofamatterwheretheapplicanthasrecoveredasumofmoneyorotherassetorthereisasubstantialimprovementinfinancialcircumstances.Themeanstestisappliedtoallmatters,except:• Legaladviceandminor
assistanceservices• Family,careandprotection
andcivillawdutymatters• ChildreninChildren’sCourt
matters• Childrenincarematters• Childrenparticipatingin
restorativejusticeprograms• Childrenrepresentedbyan
independentchildren’slawyerafteranorderoftheFamilyCourt
• ChildreninFamilyCourtproceedingsconcerningaspecialmedicalprocedure
• FirstappearancebailapplicationsintheLocalCourt
• SomeMentalHealthAdvocacyServicematters
• Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 mattersforex-servicepersonnelandtheirdependants(exceptforwarservicepensionclaimsandappealsfromtheAAT)
• DisabledpersonsinmattersbeforetheGuardianshipTribunal
• DrugCourtmatters• Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Act 2007matters(exceptforappeals)
3. Merit testTherearetwomerittests:MeritTestA,usedforallcriminalandcivillawmattersandStatefamilylawmatters,andMeritTestB,usedforCommonwealthfamilylawmatters.InStatelawmatters,LegalAidNSWconsiderswhetheritisreasonableinallthecircumstancestograntlegalaidtakingintoaccount,amongothercriteria,whethertheapplicanthasreasonableprospectsofsuccessandwhetherprovidinglegalassistancewillbenefittheapplicant.InCommonwealthfamilylawmatters,theapplicantmustsatisfythefollowingthreecriteria:• reasonableprospectsof
successtest;• prudentself-fundinglitigant
test;and• appropriatenessofspending
limitedpubliclegalaidfundstest.
Amerittestisappliedto:• Mostnon-criminalmatters
(civil,family,careandprotection,administrativelawandveterans’matters)
• Appealsincriminalmatters• SupremeCourtbailmatters• Somemattersassociatedwith
Children’sCourtproceedings(e.g.appealsfromtheChildren’sCourttotheDistrictCourt).
Amerittestisnotappliedto:• Criminallawmatters(except
appealsandSupremeCourtbailapplications)
• ChildrenintheChildren’sCourt
• DisabledpersonsinmattersbeforetheGuardianshipTribunal
• Childrenrepresentedbyanindependentchildren’slawyerafteranorderoftheFamilyCourt
• MostMental Health Act 2007matters.
4. Availability of funds testLegalaidwillonlybegrantedifLegalAidNSWdeterminesthatsufficientfundsareavailable.Contact:ForfurtherdetailsaboutLegalAidNSWpolicies,gotoPolicyOnlineatwww.legalaid.nsw.gov.auorcontacttheLegalPolicyBranchon92195034.
June2011
Policies in brief Appendix 15
159Annual Report 2010–2011
AdviceLegaladviceprovidedtoaclientbyLegalAidNSWlawyersandLawAccessNSW.Includesadvicegivenoverthetelephone.
Applications approved/grantedApplicationsforlegalaidthathavebeenapprovedwithinthisreportingperiod.Includesauthorisationsunders33oftheLegal Aid Commission Act 1979.
Barrister panel ASpecialistBarristerPanelwasdevelopedtoprovideadvicestoLegalAidNSWonthemeritofcriminalappealstotheCourtofCriminalAppeal(CCA)andtheHighCourt;andprepareandconductappealsbeforetheSupremeCourt,theCCAandtheHighCourt.
Applications determinedApplicationsthathavebeenapprovedorrefusedwithinthereportingperiod.
Applications receivedApplicationsforlegalaidreceivedwithinthisreportingperiod.
Applications refusedApplicationsforlegalaidthathavebeenrefusedwithinthisreportingperiod.Applications undeterminedApplicationsforlegalaidwherenodeterminationhasyetbeenmade,includingapplicationswhicharepending(e.g.whiletheclientisaskedtoprovidefurthermaterialinordertodeterminetheapplication).
AssignedReferstolegalservicesperformedbyprivatelawyers.
ATLASTheLegalAidNSWgrantsmanagementsystem.
CASESTheLegalAidNSWcasemanagementsystem.
CaseworkCivil,family,andcriminalmattersforwhichlegalaidisgranted.Doesnotincludedutyappearances.
Community legal education (CLE)Informationsessionsaboutlegalaidandthelawgiventothepublic,professionalgroups,communityorganisationsandagencies.
Current applications on handApplicationsforlegalaidwhichhavebeengrantedbutnotfinalisedbytheendofthereportingperiod.
DependantApersonwhoisfinanciallydependentonthelegalaidclient,whetherornottheyresidewiththelegalaidclient.
Determination dateIncaseworkmatters,thedatewhenanapplicationisapprovedorrefused.
Disability Action Plan (DAP)AplanofactionbyLegalAidNSWtoprovideinclusiveservicestopeoplewithadisability.
Duty servicesLegaladviceandrepresentationprovidedatacourtortribunalforsomemattersnotrequiringagrantofaid.
EEOEqualEmploymentOpportunity.
Family dispute resolution (FDR)Adisputeresolutionconference(mediation)facilitatedbyaneutralthirdparty,thatresolvesdisputesbyconsensus.
Family law conferenceAmeeting/mediationsessionbetweenthepeopleinvolvedinafamilylawdispute,arrangedbyLegalAidNSW.
FTEFull-timeequivalent.Representsthenumberofstaffpositionsequatingto35hoursperweek.
Grants of aidSeeApplications approved/granted.InformationGeneralinformationservicesaboutthejusticesystemorinformationaboutlegalaidservicesprovidedbyLegalAidNSWstaffandLawAccessNSW.
In-houseReferstoanylegalorotherserviceprovidedbyemployeesofLegalAidNSW.Means testIncomeandassetstestusedtodetermineeligibilityforlegalaid.AppliestobothStateandCommonwealthmatters.
Merit testTestusedtodeterminetheeligibilityforaid.TherearedifferentmerittestsforStateandCommonwealthmatters.
Minor assistanceWorkdoneinadvicesessions(eg.simplecorrespondence,phonecall)butnotwhereaformallegalaidapplicationissubmitted.
Multicultural Action Plan (MAP)AplanshowingtheactionswearetakingtoenhanceandpromotemulticulturalismwithinLegalAidNSW.
Reporting periodFrom1July2010to30June2011.
Social exclusion/inclusion Asituationinwhichsomemembersofsocietydonotfeelpartofsocietybecauseofarangeoffactors,suchaspovertyandlowincome,unemployment,poorskills,isolation,poorhealth,familybreakdown,crime,inadequatehousing.Lackofaccesstoreliablelegalassistancecanbeacontributingfactorincreatingandmaintainingsocialexclusion.
TRIMLegalAidNSWrecordsmanagementsystem.
Glossary
160 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
Financial glossary
Public purpose fundThePublicPurposeFundhasbeenestablishedundertheLegal Profession Act 2004,(theAct).ThefundisadministeredbytheLawSocietyofNSWunderthedirectionofitsfourtrustees,threeofwhomareappointedbytheAttorneyGeneral,andthefourthbeingtheDirectorGeneraloftheAttorneyGeneral’sDepartment.PaymentsfromthisfundmaybemadeinrespectofcostsandexpensesincurredbytheLawSociety,aCouncil(theLawSocietyCouncilortheBarCouncil)andtheLegalServicesCommissionerinconnectionwiththeexerciseoftheirfunctionsundertheAct.PaymentsmayalsobemadefromtheFundforcertainpurposes,includingthesupplementationoftheLegalAidFund,theFidelityFundandtheLawFoundationFund.Paymentsmayalsobemadeforlegaleducationprograms,lawreformandimprovingaccesstolegalinformationforthepeopleofNSW.
Client contributionsInmanycasesLegalAidNSWrequiresaninitialcontributionbasedonincomeandassetsfromapersongrantedlegalaid.Certaincasesareexempt.Attheconclusionofthecaseorthelegalaidgrant,LegalAidNSWmayrecoverthetotalcostsofamatterwheretheapplicanthasrecoveredasumofmoneyorotherassetorthereisasubstantialimprovementintheirfinancialcircumstances.
Community programsLegalAidNSWprovidesfundingfortheCommunityLegalCentresFundingProgramandtheWomen’sDomesticViolenceCourtAdvocacyProgram(pages35–8,137–8).
161Annual Report 2010–2011
Index
A ‘Aboriginalfieldofficers15,44,47AboriginalJusticeCommittee15,44AboriginalLandCouncilhousing18AboriginalLegalAccessprogram35,36AboriginalLegalService(NSW/ACT)4,15,32,39,44AboriginalMedicalServiceofWesternSydney44Aboriginalpeople
asclients6,15,18,24,164asFamilyLawclients22asstaff47,134atriskofdomesticviolence37committees150,153communitypartnerships44culturalawarenesstraining48Koorimen’slegalworkshop27publicationsandresourcesfor144
AboriginalServicesUnit15,44acceptancebythecrownentity88,116AccessandEquityCommittee29,152accesstojusticepriority5,7,8–9,12accrualofestimatedlegalexpenses82accumulatedfunds83acquisitionofassets80–1administeredactivities80AdministrativeAppealsTribunal25AdvocacyUnitreview2,49afterbalancedateevents104,127aged-carerightsservice16alternatedisputeresolutionservices22amortisation85annualreport
awards1format1legislationrequirements128–30production costsbackcover
appealingdecisions65apprehendeddomesticviolenceorders37appropriations88assetrevaluationreserve83assets80–1
acquisitionof80–1contingent99,124current89–90,99,116financial81–2,101intangible81,90–1leased81non-current90
ATLASgrantsmanagementsystem51Attorney-GeneralofNewSouthWales2,56,61,143audio-visuallinks53audit63AuditandRiskCommittee56,62–3,149Auditor-GeneralofNewSouthWales71–2,107–8AustralianAccountingStandards83,113–14AustralianLawReformCommission143AustralianLegalAssistanceForum43AustralianSecuritiesandInvestmentsCommissionInsuranceAdvisoryCommittee42authoritydeposits103availabilityoffundstest158
BBail Act 1978:28basisofpreparation80,113Best for Kids 28Better Partnerships Program41BetterRegulationOffice143Board56–9,70,149–50BrokenHill,newservicesin22budgetreview99BureauofCrimeStatisticsandResearchNSW21,51businesscontinuityplan63business hoursbackcover
Ccapitalcommitments98–9capitalisationthresholds81careerdevelopmentprogram47,50casemanagementsystem51cashandcashequivalents89,102cashflowsstatement76,100,112Celermajer Holdings Pty Ltd v Kopas[2011]63–4CentralSydneyLawAdviceService23–4Centrelinkcases19,25Chair’sreport2changesinequity75,111charitableanddeductiblegiftrecipientinstitution130ChiefExecutiveOfficer3–4,61,132Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987:20children’slegalservices3,19
assistanceschemes35childsupportcases22committees150dutylawyerservices10jurisdictiontest157lawreformsubmissions28policychanges56submissionstoChildren’sCourt143
civillawservices23–5byStateorCommonwealthmatters142clientprofiles23committees150,153fromprivatelawyers141operationalstatistics140
clientassessmentandreferralunit26clientcontributions160clientsatisfaction14clientservices6,10–11,13–30commitmentsforexpenditure98–9,125committees42–4,56,132,149–52CommonwealthAttorney-General’sDepartment35CommonwealthCrimesUnit3,21,156communitylegalcentres32,35–6,138,150communitylegaleducation11,27–8,36,141
numberofsessions164performancemeasures7publicsessions16–17
comparativeinformation113complaintshandling65compliancewithfinancialdirectives79–80,113comprehensiveincomestatement73,99,109CompulsoryDrugTreatmentCorrectionalCentreatParklea42
conferences48consultants129ConsumerCreditLegalCentre41ConsumerTraderandTenancyTribunal18contingentassetsandliabilities99,124contributions86–7CooperativeLegalServicesDeliveryProgram32,38,150–1corporateplan3–5,8–9,61–2CorrectiveServicesNSW27corruptionandfraudpreventionplan63coursesconducted135–6courtfees25,51CourtofCriminalAppeal19–20credit card certification67Credit Law Toolkit 24,41,48creditrisk101,125creditors,paymentto128Crimes (Serious Sex Offenders) Act 2006:2,56criminallawservices4byjurisdiction142
clientprofiles20committees154feescalepackage32highserviceusers14highlights19–23jurisdictiontest157
currentassets89–90,99,116currentliabilities91,116–17custodynotificationservice39
Ddeficit68DepartmentofAttorneyGeneralandJustice143DepartmentofHumanServicesNSW143depreciation81,83,85development,seetrainingDiplomainManagementqualifications48Disability Action Plan 29,47,54,147disasterrecoverysite53,63districtcourttrials,increasinglengthof51DomesticandFamilyViolenceActionPlanNSW35domesticviolence22,25,34,41,144,154Doran,Rebekah13DrivingundertheInfluenceofaDrugcharges19DrugCourts19–20fortheHunter2,3,68Drugs, Driving and You19dutylawyerservices10–11
eearlyinterventionservices3,11,21,41,54,132effectivenesstesting14electronic service delivery11,27,42employeeassistanceprogram36employeebenefits,provisionfor82,84,92,113,115employeerelations,seestaffingenergy management 54,151equalemploymentopportunity47,134equity83e-recruitment49estimatedlegalexpenses82
Note: entries in bold are reported in accordance with the Annual Reports (Departments) Regulation 2010, Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Regulation 2010 and the Commonwealth, State, and territory Disability Agreement.
162 Legal Aid NSW
6 Appendices
ethicalbehaviour62Ethics and Professional Responsibilitiesseminar48executivedirectors58–9executive performance statement132ExecutiveMastersinPublicAdministration48expenses6,66,68,84–5,115
accrualofestimatedlegalexpenses82analysisof51
commitmentsfor98–9,125
F factfile6FamilyCourtofAustralia143familylawservices21–3,see alsochildren’slegalservices
byjurisdiction142clientprofiles21committees154disputeresolution2,11,141domesticviolence22,25,34,41,144,154dutylawyerservices10earlyinterventionservices3,11,21,41,54,132familyrelationshipcentres36fromprivatelawyers141jurisdictiontest156legalaidreviewcommittees149mediators3operationalstatistics139–40publicationsandresources144
FieldOfficerpositions4,15,44,47financecosts85financialassets81–2,101financialglossary160financialinstruments101–4,125–7financialliabilities101financialmanagement5–6FinancialOmbudsmanService42financialperformance4,62,66–8financial statements 69-104,105-27
LegalAidCommission69–104OfficeoftheLegalAidCommission105–27
Fined Out 24fiveyearperformancetrends164forums42–4fraudcontrol63freedomofinformation,seerighttoinformationfrequentusersoflegalaidservices14fulltimeequivalentstaff,seestaffingfundingsources67
Ggaols,adviceclinicsin24genderbalanceinseniorstaff47glossary159goodsandservicestaxaccounting80governance55–66Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009:64,145–6governmentlawsection3,24grantsallocationguidelines34grantsandstatisticsworkinggroup43grantsdivision32,49,50,85–7,150grantsonlinesystem51GreaterWesternSydneyInformationandReferralDays15,44GSTaccounting80guardianshiptribunal17
HHave You Been Involuntarily Admitted to Hospital? 17healthandwelfare46Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002: 64highlights5,19–25Hilzinger case20holisticservices20,26homelesspeople17–18,20,43HumanResourcesBranchrenamed4,46,49humanresourcesinformation,seestaffinghumanrightscommittee151humanrightsgroup42HunterDrugCourt2–3,68
IICTstrategicplan52immigrationcases25impairmentofassets81–2‘incidentonly’reports47income6,66,80independentauditor’sreports71–2,107–8individualplanningsystem49individuallysignificantitems88,115InformationCommissioner64informationservices10infrastructure52insurance80intangibleassets81,90–1integratedservicespriority5,8–9,12IntellectualDisabilityRightsService30,41IntellectualDisabilityServiceImprovementproject26,30intensivecorrectionorders20–1interestraterisk103–4,126–7internalaudits62–3internalcommittees152internaltrainingprograms135–6internetuse36,52,see alsowebsitesinterpretersandtranslators29investmentperformance130investmentrevenue80,86
JJoinedUpJustice52jurisdictiontest156justiceexecutivegroup43Justicelink52
Kkeylegislation6Khoury v Hiar[2006]64KingsfordLegalCentre36,42Kirkland,Alan56,57–8,58
CEO’sreport3–4committees42–4performancestatement132
Koorimen’slegalworkshop27
LLandCouncilStateConferenceNSW44LawandJusticeFoundationofNSWsurvey4,24,32,43Law for Community Workers workshops32,39Law for Non-Lawyers project 39lawreform28,143LawReformCommissionofNSW28,143LawSocietyofNSW153LawAccessNSW26,32,41Learn About the Law 39
learninganddevelopment,seetraininglearningmanagementsystem34,48,53leasedassets81leaseholdimprovements83leaveprovisions82legaladviceservices10Legal Aid Commission Act 1979: 2,6,61LegalAidCommissionRegulation2011:64LegalAidCommissiontrustaccount100LegalAidNSWplan,seecorporateplanlegalaidreviewcommittees65,149LegalAssistanceForumNSW4,32,42,153legaleducationworkinggroup43legalneedssurvey43Legal Pathways Project Pilot 16legalpolicybranch28legalpracticeoperationalstatistics139–42legalrepresentationservices11legalsupportofficers49legaltheatreworkshops39legislation6,24-5,63-4legislativechanges,respondingto24–5legislativecompliance6,63–4letter of submission insidecoverliabilities82–3
contingent99,124current91,116–17financial101
liquidityrisk103,125longserviceleaveprovisions82lossondisposal87
MMagistratesEarlyReferralintoTreatmentprogram20maintenance81management6,45–54marketrisk103–4,126maturityanalysis103,126meanstestandcontributionpolicyreview51meanstesting157–8Mental Health Act 2007:11,16–17mentalhealthandwellbeingworkinggroup46MentalHealthCoordinatingCouncilofNSW41Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990:16,20mentalhealthlegalservices11,16–17,156mentoringprojectofficer41merittest158Migration Act 1958:30MigrationReviewTribunal25minorassistanceservices10,21,24,164mortgagehardshipservice24Mortgage Stress Handbook 24,41motorvehicleclaims130Multicultural Action Plan 29,148
NNationalAustralianLegalAssistanceAdvisoryBoard44NationalBulkDebtproject24NationalChildren’sandYouthLawCentre36NationalDisasterInsurancereview25NationalLegalAid32,52,143,153NationalPartnershipAgreementonLegalAssistanceServices2–3,21,43,56,67
adviceclinicsfundedby15,40NationalPartnershiponHomelessnessinitiative68netcostofservices99netequity67
163Annual Report 2010–2011
NetworkExecutiveOfficerposition38non-currentassets90NorthernRiversAboriginalcommunities44notestothefinancialstatements
LegalAidCommission80–104OfficeoftheLegalAidCommission113–27
NowraLocalCourtPilotproject19,26
ooccupationalhealthandsafety46,152Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000:6officeenhancements54OfficeoftheDirectorofPublicProsecutions52OfficeoftheInformationCommissioner64OfficeoftheLegalAidCommission61officesystems51olderpeople16
asclients18committees151legalandeducationprogram16,51publicationsandresourcesfor144
operatingleasecommitments99organisationalflexibilitypriority5,8–9,12organisational structure 6,60outreachservice,familylaw21overseasvisits129overview2–12
PPalenzuela v Palje [2010]63panels32Parliamentaryannualreporttables134Parliamentaryappropriationsandcontributions80ParramattaFamilyCourt22ParramattaJusticePrecinctinsidecover,11,50partnershipswithotheragencies12,31–44,153–5payables82,91,113,116payment performance 128peakconsultativecommittee152PenaltyNoticeSchemereview28people,seestaffingPeopleandOrganisationalDevelopmentDivision46,49peoplesmugglingcharges3,19,30performancemeasures6,7,132,164,see alsofinancialperformanceperformanceplanningandreviewsystem49personnelservices82,84Planning Ahead Project 16plantandequipment81policiesinbrief156–8policyreviews48–9Premier’sAwardforLeadingChange37,37PrimeMinister’sCouncilonHomelessness43priorityclientgroups15–18prisoners’legalservices19,157Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 64privacyissues64privatelawyers6,32–4,141projectmanagementoffice53protecteddisclosurepolicy64provisions91–2,116–17psychologicalinjurymanagement46–7publicaccountability65Public Finance and Audit Act 1983:6PublicInterestLawClearingHouses42PublicPurposeFund4,35,68,160publications11,19,24,41,144PublicationsOnline52
rreceivables81,89–90,102,113,116reconciliationofcashflows100,124recordsdisposalprogram54recruitment49recurrentappropriations88regionaloutreachclinicprogram3,15,40regionalpartnerships38–40remunerationofBoardmembers56renderingofservices80,115Report into the Civil and Family Law Needs of Aboriginal People15reportingentity80,113representationservicestandards7reserves83Residential Tenancies Act 1987:18resources144restorationcosts81revaluationofplantandequipment81revenue85–6,113,115right to information64,145–6risk management 62–3,130Rosson v Tesoriero [2011]25ruralandregionaloutreachprograms35,40
Ssalariesandwagesprovisions82saleofgoodsandservices85SeniorAdvocates,reviewof2,49SeniorAllocationsAdvocate49SeniorExecutiveServicepositions47,133
performanceagreements61reviewof4,49,61
servicedeliverytargets7servicedesk53servicegroupstatements77–8,88–9ShoalhavenAreapilotscheme19,26socialexclusionindicatorsurvey14,51socialhousingprotection18socialinclusionpriority5,8–9,12socialmediause36socialsecuritycases25socialworkers26SolicitorAdvocates49SouthCoastCorrectionalCentre19Speaking for Myself: Planning for Later Life Decision Making 16SpecialCommissionofInquiryintoChildProtectionServices56specialistaccreditation6specialistbarristerpanel32,132specialistservices11spotcheckaudits33staffing
by category133-5employeerelations49factfile6humanresourcesinformation133–5lengthofservice50movement in wages, salaries and allowances 84,91-2,115-17reviewsof48–9trendsinnumbers47
StandingCommitteeofAttorneys-General143stateassetacquisitionprogram68statementsofcashflows76,100,112statementsofchangesinequity75,111statementsofcompliance80,113
statementsofcomprehensiveincome73,99,109statementsoffinancialposition74,99,110StayHealthyprogram46StolenWagesclaims15StressdownDay46subsidies85summary of operations10-11,139-142summaryofsignificantaccountingpolicies80–3,113–14superannuationprovisions82,92–8,117–24SupremeCourtBails19surplus68SutherlandChildren’sCourt19
ttechnologicalchange52–3temporarystaffdivision49Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002:56They Want Me to Leave: Staying in Your Home When Your Partner Dies 16trafficanddrivingcases144training,see alsocommunitylegaleducation
forstaff17–18,34,48,53,135–6forWDVCASworkers38
transferpayments88,116translators29tripartiteserviceagreements36trustfunds82,100Trustee and Guardian Act 2009:16
Uunclaimedmonies130
Vveterans’advocacyservice16Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986: 16visacancellations36
WWaggaWaggaoffice3waste management 54websites11,27,42What’s the Law? Australian Law for New Arrivals28‘wholeofoffice’planningday52Why Make a Will? 16Wollongongoffice,Centrelinkcases19women,asproportionofstaff134Women’sDomesticViolenceCourtAdvocacyProgram34,37–8
committees151–2funding137partnershipswith32trainingfor136
WorkandDevelopmentOrderRegionalSupportscheme67,68workrelatedincidents47workerscompensation46–7,130workingtogetherstrategy46
YYoung Offenders Act 1997:11,28youngpeople11,14,144youthhotline11
6 Appendices
164 Legal Aid NSW
Five year performance trends
There has been a steady increase in client services
Minor assistance services have continued to grow significantly
Community legal education sessions have increased significantly in five years
The significant increase in community legal education sessions is a combination of better reporting, coordination and more structured and strategic programs (page 27).
Client services include legal advice, minor assistance, legal representation, duty services and information services (pages 10, 13–25). Community legal education sessions are excluded.
TOTAL CLIENT SERVICES BYLAW TYPE 5 YEAR TREND
641,884
777,828801,356 818,250
591,725
0
85,000
170,000
255,000
340,000
425,000
510,000
595,000
680,000
765,000
850,000
10-1109-1008-0907-0806-07
Criminal Family Civil
MINOR ASSISTANCE SERVICES5 YEAR TREND
0
2,600
5,200
7,800
10,400
13,000
10-1109-1008-09 07-0806-07
5,713 6,065
7,810 8,782
12,076
Criminal Family Civil
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
10-1109-1008-0907-0806-07
TOTAL COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION SESSIONS5 YEAR TREND
633783
1,068
1,425
2,148
PrIorItY 2: ACCeSS to JUStICe
We have increased our services to Aboriginal clients
Services to Aboriginal people have increased over five years in all practice areas, with family law now having the largest percentage of Aboriginal clients at 12.7% (pages 15, 22).
PrIorItY 1: SoCIAL INCLUSIoN
0
2
4
6
8
10
10-1109-1008-0907-0806-07
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL CASE AND IN-HOUSE DUTY SERVICES PROVIDED TO ABORIGINAL CLIENTS 5 YEAR TREND
7.5 7.48.1
9.1 9.4
Perc
enta
ges %
Work done in advice sessions, like letter writing and phone calls, helps people who cannot resolve their problem alone (pages 21, 23).
legal aid nSW staff use audio-visual link services to conduct interviews and bail applications (page 53).
A significant increase in AVL use since inception
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
10-1109-1008-0907-0806-07
5,8136,969
9,395
10,40911,006
AVL CONFERENCES HELD5 YEAR TREND
High participation in learning
PRioRity 2: Access to justicePRioRity 2: Access to justice
There has been a substantial increase in lawyers on panels over five years
this substantial increase in the number of private lawyers on panels relates to the increases in panels and panel size (page 33).
0
400
800
1,200
1,600
2,000
2,400
2,800
3,200
3,600
4,000
10-1109-1008-0907-0806-07
LAWYER APPOINTMENTS ON PANELS 5 YEAR TREND
461
1,058
2,380
2,950
3,460
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
10-1109-1008-0907-0806-07
COURSE ATTENDANCES5 YEAR TREND
5,027 4,978
4,734
5,734
4,750
IT Training
External Sessions
Online learning
Internal Seminars & ConferencesInternal Training Sessions
access to the learning Management System for private lawyers and other external partners has seen a 17% increase in course attendances. See page 48.
about usLegal Aid NSW is the largest legal aid agency in Australia. We provide a range of legal services to socially and economically disadvantaged people through our Central Sydney office and 21 regional offices around NSW.We also work in partnership with private lawyers who receive funding from Legal Aid NSW to represent legally aided clients.We are an independent statutory body reporting to the NSW Attorney General, the Hon Greg Smith SC.
0
600
1,200
1,800
2,400
3,000
10-1109-1008-0907-0806-07
TOTAL MEDIATION CONFERENCES IN FAMILY LAW
2,527 2,294 2,574 2,486
2,237
We continue to assist growing numbers of clients to resolve their family law disputes without going to court (page 21).
Conferences have grown by 11.1% over five years.
our VisionTo ensure that people who are economically and socially disadvantaged can understand, protect and enforce their legal rights and interests.
our Mission To deliver a range of innovative, high quality legal services to our clients and the community, to assist them to resolve their legal problems.
integrity: Acting ethically at all timesProfessionalism: Providing high quality servicesefficiency: Using resources responsiblyequity: Ensuring equitable access to services
PRioRity 4: oRGANisAtioNAL FLeXiBiLity
PRioRity 3: iNteGRAteD seRVicesThe Hon Greg Smith SCAttorney General and Minister for JusticeGovernor Macquarie TowerSydney NSW 2000
Dear Attorney
Legal Aid NSW has pleasure in presenting to you the report of its activities for the year ended 30 June 2011. This report is submitted in accordance with section 13 (1) of the Legal Aid Commission Act 1979 and section 10 (1) of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984.
Yours sincerely
Richard Funston Acting Chief Executive Officer October 2011
Cover: Lawyers and administrative staff from the criminal law practice work in a team environment at Parramatta Justice Precinct, representing clients appearing at the Parramatta Children's Court, Local Courts at Parramatta and Ryde, the Parramatta Trial Court Complex, the Parole Authority and the Drug Court. The office at the Parramatta Justice Precinct and the Drug Court team also located at Parramatta is home to over 60 highly committed staff. This includes the specialist services provided by the Children's Legal Service, Prisoners Legal Service and Drug Court team. They also provide community legal education in schools, youth centres and gaols and contribute to law reform initiatives in their areas of expertise.
Annual Report 2010-2011
integrity
professionalism
equity efficiency
our Values
Final Cover Spine 11.indd 2 10/11/11 12:27 PM
Central Sydney323 Castlereagh StSYDNEY NSW 2000Tel: 9219 5000 TTY: 9219 5126
Metropolitan offiCeSBankstownLevel 8, Civic Tower66–72 Rickard RdBANKSTOWN 2200Tel: 9707 4555
BlacktownSuite 36–37, ‘Kildare Court’, Level 2 13–17 Kildare RdBLACKTOWN 2148Tel: 9621 4800
BurwoodLevel 4, 74–76 Burwood RdBURWOOD 2134Tel: 9747 6155
CampbelltownSuite 1, Level 4, 171–179 Queen StCAMPBELLTOWN 2560Tel: 4628 2922
fairfieldSuite 1, Level 2, 25 Smart St FAIRFIELD 2165Tel: 9727 3777
liverpoolLevel 4 Interdell Centre 47 Scott StLIVERPOOL 2170Tel: 9601 1200
ManlyGround Floor 39 East EsplanadeMANLY 2095Tel: 9977 1479
parramattaCivil & family lawLevel 5, 91 Phillip StPARRAMATTA 2150Tel: 9891 1600
Criminal lawParramatta Justice PrecinctLevel 1, 160 Marsden StPARRAMATTA 2150Tel: 8688 3800
penrith95 Henry StPENRITH 2750Tel: 4732 3077
SutherlandGround Floor, 3–5 Stapleton AveSUTHERLAND 2232Tel: 9521 3733
regional offiCeSCoffs Harbour41 Little StCOFFS HARBOUR 2450Tel: 6651 7899
Dubbo64 Talbragar StDUBBO 2830Tel: 6885 4233
gosfordLevel 2, 37 William StGOSFORD 2250Tel: 4324 5611
lismoreSuite 6, Level 4, 29 Molesworth StLISMORE 2480Tel: 6621 2082
newcastleLevel 2, 51–55 Bolton StNEWCASTLE 2300Tel: 4929 5482
nowraSuite 1, Level 2, 55–57 Berry StNOWRA 2541Tel: 4422 4351
orangeSuite 4, 95 Byng StORANGE 2800Tel: 6362 8022
tamworthLevel 1, 424–426 Peel StTAMWORTH 2340Tel: 6766 6322
Wagga WaggaGround Floor, Suite F, Best Place, Morrow StWAGGA WAGGA 2650Tel: 6921 6588
WollongongGround floor 73 Church StWOLLONGONG 2500Tel: 4228 8299
office hours:Central Sydney: 8.30am to 5.30pm All other offices: 9.00am to 5.00pm
People who are hearing or speech impaired can communicate with us by calling the National Relay Service (NRS) on 133 677.
Annual Report 2010–2011
600 copies of this annual report were printed by Image Print Pty Ltd. at an estimated cost of $11.00 per copy. Produced by the Publications Unit of Legal Aid NSW. This report is also available for viewing at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au Unless otherwise stated, all photography/imaging work is by Ernest Fratczak.
legal aid nSW officesCall LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 for help over the phone, or your nearest Legal Aid office to arrange a free advice interview.
www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Annual Report 2010–2011
Final Cover Spine 11.indd 1 10/11/11 12:27 PM