Changes to potentially expensive matter allocations

LAQ has updated its approach to allocating complex criminal matters and expensive casework, giving partner firms greater opportunity to retain these matters where they lodge an application for legal aid for an existing client.

We have listened to feedback from partner firms that they would like to keep more of the complex matters they e-lodge for existing clients, rather than having them referred to LAQ’s in-house team.

In response, we have revised the criteria used to identify matters that may be considered potentially expensive and therefore usually referred in-house.

Potentially expensive cases are generally identified through matter type and/or characteristics.

Matter types that have been removed from the potentially expensive case criteria include attempted murder, manslaughter, dangerous driving causing death, and some murder and drug trafficking matters.

Matters that may still be assessed as potentially expensive include those involving large-scale interagency cooperation, an alleged serious organised crime element, three or more co-accused, or a retrial under double jeopardy laws.

Please refer to the Grants Handbook for details of allocation of expensive case matters.

These changes will allow partner firms to retain a broader range of complex criminal matters, while also allowing clients to have a consistent practitioner throughout their matter.

We ask partner firms to apply for an expensive case grant as soon as possible to assist with timely processing.