XN000022-1989-06-16 — Page 11

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FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989

BILL AIMS AT MORE EFFECTIVE WORKING OF LEGAL AID SCHEME

THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) PROPOSES A NUMBER OF TIDYING-UP PROVISIONS IN ORDER ACHIEVE A MORE EFFECTIVE WORKING OF THE LEGAL AID SCHEME.

ΤΟ

"HOWEVER, THE BILL PROPOSES то INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE FOR A SPOUSE WHICH IS EXEMPT FROM THE FIRST CHARGE OF THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID FROM $1,500 ΤΟ $2,500, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT SAID.

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"AND THE AMOUNT WHICH MAY BE WAIVED AGAINST THE FIRST CHARGE IN OF EXTREME FINANCIAL HARDSHIP IS PROPOSED ΤΟ INCREASE ΤΟ $30,000, HE ADDED.

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"THESE PROVISIONS WILL ENABLE THOSE IN GREATEST NEED TO RECOVER A SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER PROPORTION OF THE AMOUNTS AWARDED TO THEM IN COURT PROCEEDINGS WITHOUT SUFFERING A REDUCTION IN RESPECT OF THEIR OWN LEGAL COSTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE

ON JUNE 28.

LEGAL AID ALLOWANCES REVISED

COUNCIL

THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES SET AGAINST CAPITAL AND INCOME IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID HAS BEEN INCREASED FOLLOWING REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME BASIC RATES.

THE LEGAL AID (ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS) REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN REVISED AND TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

THE INCREASES (WHICH APPLY TO ANY PERSON WHO APPLIES FOR LEGAL AID AND ANY PERSON WHO IS DEPENDANT ON HIM) ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

/AMOUNTS NOT