Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) may make a grant of legal assistance to a person applying in the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal to be represented by an in-house practitioner where the case meets the State reasonableness test.
Where assistance is granted pursuant to this guideline, contributions assessed under the means test and equitable charges required under the Debt policy will be waived.
Documentary requirements
Applications under this guideline are normally only within the simplified grants assessment process.
Lawyers seeking a grant of legal assistance via the simplified grants assessment process should submit an application via ATLAS, only after ensuring that the following documents are retained on file (unless they are requested by VLA for assessment):
- a reference to guideline 7
- the lawyer’s assessment of how the matter meets the State reasonableness test
- documentary proof of any State special circumstances.
Community legal centres
A community legal centre may submit an application under this guideline. Lawyers should submit an application via ATLAS for assessment. The following documents should also be submitted:
- a reference to guideline 7
- the lawyer’s assessment of how the matter meets the State reasonableness test
- documentary proof of any State special circumstances
Updated