Independent reviewers can reconsider or review a decision made by one of our officers or another independent reviewer, where it relates to a grant of legal assistance.

They can also hear and determine matters relating to the removal or exclusion of a lawyer from one of our practitioner panels.

When reviewing a matter, the independent reviewer must have regard to the Legal Aid Act 1978 (Vic) and any guidelines provided by the Board. They can confirm or change our decision.

Independent review of decisions

Review of decisions relating to a grant of legal assistance

Result of review 2014–15 2013–14
Independent reviewer agreed with our decision 154 161
Independent reviewer changed our decision 27 38
Total 181 199

Review relating to proposed removal or exclusion of a lawyer from one of our practitioner panels

Result of review 2014–15 2013–14
Independent reviewer agreed with our decision 0 0
Independent reviewer changed our decision 0 0
Total 0 0

Independent reviewers

We acknowledge the valuable contribution of the independent reviewers appointed under the Act:

  • John Nixon (Chairperson)
  • Brook Hely
  • Carmel Morfuni.

In this section ...

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