Australian Capital Territory
Legal Aid (Commissioner – Bar Association Nominee) Appointment 2011
Disallowable instrument DI2011– 208
made under the  
Legal Aid Act 1977, s16 (2) (Constitution of Board)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Legal Aid Act 1977 (the Act), at section 14, provides for the establishment of the board of the Legal Aid Commission.  The functions of the Board are to determine the broad policies, priorities and strategies of the Commission for the provision of legal assistance, and to ensure that the commission’s affairs are managed in accordance with the Act.

Paragraph 16(1)(c0(ii) of the Act provides that the Board must be constituted by a commissioner chosen from a panel of not less than three people nominated by the council of the bar association.

This instrument appoints James Ferguson Thomson, a nominee of the ACT Bar Association, as part-time member of the Board of the Legal Aid Commission for a period of three years commencing on 18 July 2011.

Pursuant to section 228 of the Legislation Act 2001, this appointment required consultation with the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety.  The Committee has advised that it has no recommendations to make.