Preferred supplier update — March 2023
This month:
Updated limited financial verification for low risk matters
As part of LAQ’s current program of review for grants processes, the Grants Handbook section about limited financial verification requirements has been updated to clarify reduced financial verification requirements for in-custody applicants in low risk matters. Low risk matters include:
- Summary criminal law grants
- Initial family law applications for dispute resolution conferences
- Initial child protection applications (up to contested hearing)
- Initial domestic violence applications
- Standard initial committal grants (excluding fraud/money laundering matters or illicit drug offences such as trafficking).
The change removes the requirement for in-custody applicants to provide details of their previous employment or Centrelink status.
As a result, in-custody applicants for low risk matters will be deemed to meet the income test and no further financial material will be required unless the application identifies significant assets outside the standard assets test.
Please note that this only applies where the following relevant criteria are met:
- the request for aid meets the applicable guidelines and merits tests
- all components of the financial eligibility section in the LAQ application form (including assets) are completed.
If you have any queries regarding this amendment, please contact your Grants team.
Queensland Corrective Services update
Queensland Corrective Services has updated their procedure regarding the management of a prisoner’s legal property.
The update states that where a legal practitioner is required to provide legal material in a non-hardcopy format, the material is to be provided on a portable/external hard drive (preferred) or a compact disk (CD).
The hard drive or CD should be clearly marked with the following information:
- name of the prisoner
- outline of information contained on the hard drive or CD
- date of issue of the hard drive or CD to the prisoner.
All CDs should be enclosed in a protective CD case.
The minimum specifications of any portable/external hard drive provided to a prisoner is as follows:
- 55mm wide, 85mm long and 8mm in depth
- portable/external SSD hard drive
- have a USB C connection.
The portable/external hard drive or CD must include a connection cord (as short as possible, adaptor to suit all USB connection types, have relevant materials uploaded and be posted into the centre along with a signed letter on company letterhead stating only legal material relevant to the case has been saved to the portable/external hard drive or CD.
Further information regarding the update can be found here.
Grants e-learning module
Have you viewed our online training package developed for our preferred suppliers and their support staff which provides an overview on applying for grants of aid and supports compliance with requirements around applying for and managing grants of legal aid? This resource is available in Grants Online – Policies and Standards – Grants E-Learning Module.
Other resources available in Grants Online – Policies and Standards include:
- Elodgement User Manual
- instructional video - how to submit an application
- instructional video - how to submit an invoice.
Publications and resources
LAQ produces more than 100 publications and resources from factsheets to posters, brochures, wallet cards and comprehensive legal information guides on a range of topics. You can check out the publications on the LAQ website and they can be ordered online at no cost.
For more information about our publications or to order copies of the duty lawyer session report form, email publications@legalaid.qld.gov.au.
Continuing professional development
Looking for professional development opportunities to boost your CPD points? Our CPD seminars are recorded and available on Grants Online under the Information Resources tab.
Feedback
We welcome feedback and comments from clients, the community and our suppliers. As preferred suppliers you play an important role in helping us to provide quality legal services to disadvantaged Queenslanders. If you would like to provide comments or suggestions about our services, policies, processes or staff members, you can complete a contact form or email us at complaints@legalaid.qld.gov.au at any time. We ensure a senior staff member investigates all issues thoroughly and we also analyse all feedback regularly to improve our policies, processes and services.
View our Feedback and Complaints Policy.