XN000022-1995-02-10 — Page 3

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Legal Aid Services Council Bill gazetted

A bill that seeks to provide for a legislative framework for the establishment of an independent Legal Aid Services Council (LASC) was published in the Gazette today (Friday).

Under the Legal Aid Services Council Bill, the proposed council will oversee the Legal Aid Department (LAD) and the Duty Lawyer Service (DLS) and will advise the Government on legal aid policy and funding requirements.

It will be made a corporate body and operate independently from the Government.

"The council will be chaired by a non- official who is independent of both the Government and the legal profession," a Government spokesman said.

"Its members will include lawyers and lay members, in addition to the Director of Legal Aid and the Administrator of the DLS who are directly responsible for the provision of legal aid services," he said.

At present, the Administration does not interfere with decisions made by the LAD or the DLS on the granting of legal aid. The Director of Legal Aid is required under the Legal Aid Ordinance to consider applications before her independently while the DLS is administered jointly by the Bar Association and the Law Society.

The spokesman noted that the establishment of the LASC was a significant policy change that would provide a greater opportunity for public participation in legal aid administration and policy formulation, and hence would enhance the independence of legal aid administration.

"We are aware of the views expressed by the legal profession and other concerned groups that legal aid services should be made even more independent by separating the LAD from the Government," he said.