Applications sought from lawyers for legal aid provider selection committees

The New Zealand Law Society is seeking applications from lawyers to sit on legal aid provider committees.

The new Legal Services Act 2011 allows the Secretary for Justice to establish one or more selection committees to assess applications for approvals and to make recommendations on the suitability of applicants.

The Secretary is required to appoint to the selection committee one or more lawyers from a group of lawyers nominated by the Law Society, and who the Secretary is satisfied are suitable for appointment.

The Secretary is also required to appoint a Ministry of Justice representative as committee chairperson, and may also appoint “any other suitably qualified person”.

Selection committee members will be appointed for 3 years and may be reappointed. Lawyer members are entitled to claim $325 per day (or $162.50 per half day). The Legal Services Agency says its initial assessment is that a total of 51 lawyer members will be required.

The Legal Services Agency has provided a person specification for each role and an estimated spread of meetings over 18 months – Quality Framework Selection Committees.

Lawyers who want to apply should complete and submit an online form by Tuesday, 31 May 2011.

© New Zealand Law Society 2008