Financial Legal Assistance Schemes

Financial Legal Assistance Schemes in Australia, administered by the Attorney-General's Department, provide statutory and non-statutory legal financial support aimed at facilitating access to justice in specific legal matters.

Objectives:

• To fund legal representation and related costs in public interest and test cases.
• To support legal costs in overseas child abduction and serious overseas criminal matters.
• To assist in special circumstances requiring legal financial aid.
• To provide disbursement support for legal costs.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Individuals or entities involved in Commonwealth public interest and test cases.
• Applicants facing overseas child abduction or serious overseas criminal matters.
• Those qualifying under special circumstances schemes.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples under specific heritage and land rights acts.
• Legal matters under various Commonwealth Acts as specified.

Key Features:

• Multiple schemes including Commonwealth Public Interest and Test Cases, Disbursement Support, Overseas Child Abduction, Serious Overseas Criminal Matters, and Special Circumstances.
• Excludes assistance for criminal charges within Australia or state/territory law matters (directed to local legal aid).
• Funding generally not granted to those who can afford legal costs without serious financial difficulty.
• No funding for costs incurred before application unless specified.
• Confidential application process with privacy protections.
• Total funding pool approximately AUD 3,006,000.
• Invoices for legal representation paid directly to the department, with a 28-day payment timeframe.

Application Process:

• Applications can be submitted online or via email with required documentation.
• Complete applications assessed within 28 days; incomplete applications are not assessed.
• Applicants may request a review of decisions within 28 days if dissatisfied.
• Detailed guidelines and application forms are available on the official website.
• Contact and support available via phone and email for application assistance.

This scheme ensures targeted legal financial assistance to support access to justice in complex and significant legal matters, particularly those involving Commonwealth interests and overseas legal issues.