In this section
Clause type: Refusal
Legal Aid may be granted in committal proceedings for charges where the maximum penalty is 14 years or less if it is likely that: - The defendant will be discharged, or - Additional disclosure may result in the charge which the defendant faces not proceeding by way of committal and being dealt with summarily, or - The committal will identify an early plea for a matter which must be determined in the District Court, or - The committal will significantly reduce the length of a subsequent District Court trial, or - The defendant has a disability or disadvantage which would prevent self-representation at committal proceedings. Based on the information you have provided, we do not consider that your client's matter meets our committal guidelines as it appears unlikely that: - it will be finalised in the Magistrates Court, and/or - the committal process will result in a significant reduction in the time required to deal with the matter in the District Court. Your client should re-apply for aid when their matter is committed to the District Court.
Legal Aid may be granted in committal proceedings for charges where the maximum penalty is 14 years or less if we consider there is a benefit to be gained through representation. Based on the information you have provided about your case, we do not consider that your matter meets our committal guidelines as you do not have a disability or disadvantage that would prevent self-representation at committal and it appears unlikely that: • your matter will be finalised in the Magistrates Court, and/or • the committal process will result in a significant reduction in the time required to deal with your matter in the District Court. You should re-apply for aid when your matter is committed to the District Court.