Australian Capital Territory
Legal Aid (Commissioner – Law Society Nominee) Appointment 2012
Disallowable instrument DI2012– 194
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.

Section 16(1)(c) (iii) 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 Law Society.

This instrument appoints Walter Hawkins, a nominee of the ACT Law Society, as part-time member of the Board of the Legal Aid Commission for a period of three years commencing on 10 August 2012.

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 notes the appointment and has no further recommendation to make.