{"id":"nsw:act-2000-097","name":"Law and Justice Foundation Act 2000","slug":"law-and-justice-foundation-act-2000","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"97 of 2000","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":105178,"registerId":"nsw-act-2000-097-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1 Name of Act\n\n1 Name of Act\n\n> This Act is the [Law and Justice Foundation Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2000-097).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 3 Definitions\n\n3 Definitions\n\n> In this Act:\n> \n> Board means the Board of the Foundation.\n> \n> Chairperson means the Chairperson of the Board for the time being holding office under clause 5 of Schedule 1.\n> \n> Director means the Director of the Foundation for the time being holding office under section 10.\n> \n> exercise a function includes perform a duty.\n> \n> former Law Foundation means the Law Foundation of New South Wales constituted under the [Law Foundation Act 1979](/view/html/repealed/current/act-1979-032) immediately before its repeal by this Act.\n> \n> Foundation means the Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales constituted by section 4.\n> \n> function includes a power, authority or duty.\n> \n> Fund means the Law and Justice Foundation Fund established by section 13.\n> \n> member means a member of the Board.\n> \n> Public Purpose Fund means the fund maintained under section 48 of the [Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2014-016).\n> \n> **s 3:** Am 2005 No 98, Sch 3.38 \\[1\\] \\[2\\]; 2015 No 7, Sch 2.26.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Law and Justice Foundation, Board and Director","content":"# Part 2 Law and Justice Foundation, Board and Director\n\nPart 2 Law and Justice Foundation, Board and Director","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Constitution of Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales","content":"#### 4 Constitution of Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales\n\n4 Constitution of Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales\n\n> > (1) There is constituted by this Act a body corporate with the corporate name of the Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales.\n> \n> > (2) The Foundation is a continuation of, and the same legal entity as, the former Law Foundation.\n> \n> > (3) (Repealed)\n> \n> > (4) The Foundation is not and does not represent the Crown.\n> \n> **s 4:** Am 2001 No 34, Sch 4.28 \\[1\\].","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Objects of Foundation","content":"#### 5 Objects of Foundation\n\n5 Objects of Foundation\n\n> > (1) The objects of the Foundation are to contribute to the development of a fair and equitable justice system which addresses the legal needs of the community and to improve access to justice by the community (in particular, by economically and socially disadvantaged people).\n> \n> > (2) Without limiting section 6, in attaining its objects the Foundation may do any one or more of the following:\n> > \n> > > (a) conduct and sponsor research (including inter-disciplinary research) into the law, the justice system, alternative dispute resolution and the legal profession,\n> > \n> > > (b) collect, assess and disseminate information about the justice system,\n> > \n> > > (c) conduct and sponsor projects aimed at facilitating access to justice and access to information about the justice system,\n> > \n> > > (d) promote education about the justice system.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Powers of Foundation","content":"#### 6 Powers of Foundation\n\n6 Powers of Foundation\n\n> The Foundation may:\n> \n> > (a) collaborate with organisations, institutions or companies (such as a joint venture or partnership), whether for a specific project or in continuing co-operation, and\n> \n> > (b) accept gifts, devises and bequests made to the Foundation, whether on trust or otherwise, and act as trustee of money or other property vested in the Foundation upon trust, and\n> \n> > (c) arrange for the printing, publication and distribution of information obtained as a result of the performance of the objects of the Foundation, and\n> \n> > (d) borrow money in such manner and upon such security, if any, as the Board may determine, and\n> \n> > (e) provide funds and make grants for the performance of any of the objects of the Foundation, and\n> \n> > (f) do anything incidental or conducive to the carrying out of any of the objects of the Foundation.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Establishment of Board of Foundation","content":"#### 7 Establishment of Board of Foundation\n\n7 Establishment of Board of Foundation\n\n> > (1) There is to be a Board of the Foundation.\n> \n> > (2) The Board is:\n> > \n> > > (a) to determine policies for the implementation of the objects of the Foundation, and\n> > \n> > > (b) subject to section 11, to conduct and manage the affairs of the Foundation, and\n> > \n> > > (c) to perform any other functions conferred or imposed on it by this or any other Act.\n> \n> > (3) Schedule 1 has effect with respect to the constitution and procedure of the Board.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Committees","content":"#### 8 Committees\n\n8 Committees\n\n> > (1) The Board may establish committees for the purpose of advising it on any activities of the Foundation.\n> \n> > (2) Each committee is to consist of such persons, whether members of the Board or not, as the Board appoints.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Staff of Foundation","content":"#### 9 Staff of Foundation\n\n9 Staff of Foundation\n\n> > (1) The Foundation may employ or engage on contract such staff as may be necessary to enable the Foundation to exercise its functions. The [Government Sector Employment Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2013-040) does not apply to or in respect of any such staff.\n> \n> > (2) The Foundation may, with the approval of the Minister to whom a Public Service agency is responsible, make use of the services of a person employed in that agency on such terms as may be arranged.\n> \n> **s 9:** Am 2015 No 15, Sch 3.38 \\[1\\] \\[2\\].","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Director","content":"#### 10 Director\n\n10 Director\n\n> > (1) The Board is to appoint a person from time to time to be the Director of the Foundation.\n> \n> > (2) Schedule 2 has effect with respect to the Director.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Duties of Director","content":"#### 11 Duties of Director\n\n11 Duties of Director\n\n> > (1) The Director is to conduct and manage the affairs of the Foundation in accordance with any directions of the Board.\n> \n> > (2) Anything done by the Director under this section in the name of the Foundation is taken to have been done by the Foundation.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation by Foundation","content":"#### 12 Delegation by Foundation\n\n12 Delegation by Foundation\n\n> > (1) The Foundation may, by instrument in writing, delegate to a person any of the functions of the Foundation, other than this power of delegation.\n> \n> > (2) The person may sub-delegate the exercise of a delegated function to another person if the first-mentioned person is authorised in writing to delegate the function to that person by the Foundation.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Property of Foundation","content":"# Part 3 Property of Foundation\n\nPart 3 Property of Foundation","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Establishment of Law and Justice Foundation Fund","content":"#### 13 Establishment of Law and Justice Foundation Fund\n\n13 Establishment of Law and Justice Foundation Fund\n\n> > (1) There is established a fund to be called the “Law and Justice Foundation Fund”.\n> \n> > (2) The Fund is the property of the Foundation and is to be maintained by the Foundation.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Composition of Fund","content":"#### 14 Composition of Fund\n\n14 Composition of Fund\n\n> The Fund is to consist of:\n> \n> > (a) all money standing to the credit of, and all investments and other property forming part of, the former Law Foundation, and\n> \n> > (b) all money paid to the Foundation out of the Public Purpose Fund, and\n> \n> > (c) all money borrowed by the Foundation under this Act, and\n> \n> > (d) all investments made under section 16, and\n> \n> > (e) the proceeds of any investments made under section 16, and\n> \n> > (f) any other money or other property received from any source by the Foundation.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Payments out of Fund","content":"#### 15 Payments out of Fund\n\n15 Payments out of Fund\n\n> There may be paid out of the Fund:\n> \n> > (a) all charges, costs and expenses incurred by the Board or the Director in the administration of the Foundation, and\n> \n> > (b) all charges, costs and expenses otherwise incurred in the administration of this Act, and\n> \n> > (c) all charges, costs and expenses incurred in carrying out the objects of the Foundation, and\n> \n> > (d) grants or payments for carrying out the objects of the Foundation.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Investment","content":"#### 16 Investment\n\n16 Investment\n\n> The Foundation may invest money held by it in any investment in which a trustee may invest trust funds in accordance with the [Trustee Act 1925](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1925-014) or, in the case of money held on trust, in any manner authorised by the instrument creating the trust.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Accounts","content":"#### 17 Accounts\n\n17 Accounts\n\n> The Foundation must:\n> \n> > (a) keep proper accounts and records in relation to all of its operations, and\n> \n> > (b) do all things necessary to ensure that all payments are correctly made and properly authorised and that adequate control is maintained over the assets of, or in the custody of, the Foundation and over the incurring of liabilities by the Foundation.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Audit","content":"#### 18 Audit\n\n18 Audit\n\n> The Foundation must have the accounts of the Foundation audited annually by a registered company auditor within the meaning of the [Corporations Act 2001](http://www.legislation.gov.au/) of the Commonwealth.\n> \n> **s 18:** Am 2001 No 34, Sch 4.28 \\[2\\].","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 4 Miscellaneous\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Annual report","content":"#### 19 Annual report\n\n19 Annual report\n\n> > (1) As soon as practicable after 30 June, but on or before 31 December, in each year, the Foundation must prepare an annual report exhibiting a true and correct view of the financial position of the Foundation as at that date and the transactions of the Foundation with respect to the period of 12 months ending on that date.\n> \n> > (2) The annual report must be made available for inspection at the office of the Foundation at all reasonable hours by any member of the public.\n> \n> > (3) The Attorney General is to lay the annual report before both Houses of Parliament as soon as practicable after receiving the report.\n> \n> > (4) If a House of Parliament is not sitting when the Attorney General seeks to lay a report before it, the Attorney General may present copies of the report to the Clerk of the House concerned.\n> \n> > (5) The report:\n> > \n> > > (a) is, on presentation and for all purposes, taken to have been laid before the House, and\n> > \n> > > (b) may be printed by authority of the Clerk of the House, and\n> > \n> > > (c) if so printed, is for all purposes taken to be a document published by or under the authority of the House, and\n> > \n> > > (d) is to be recorded:\n> > > \n> > > > (i) in the case of the Legislative Council, in the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Legislative Council, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) in the case of the Legislative Assembly, in the Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly,\n> > > \n> > > on the first sitting day of the House after receipt of the report by the Clerk.\n> \n> **s 19:** Am 2003 No 40, Sch 1.23.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal and savings","content":"#### 20 Repeal and savings\n\n20 Repeal and savings\n\n> > (1) The [Law Foundation Act 1979](/view/html/repealed/current/act-1979-032) is repealed.\n> \n> > (2) Schedule 3 has effect.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"21","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 21\n\n21 (Repealed)","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"#### 22 Regulations\n\n22 Regulations\n\n> The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.\n> \n> **s 22:** Ins 2001 No 56, Sch 1.7 \\[1\\].","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Constitution and procedure of Board","content":"# Schedule 1 Constitution and procedure of Board\n\nSchedule 1 Constitution and procedure of Board\n\n(Section 7)\n\n**sch 1:** Am 2001 No 56, Sch 1.7 \\[2\\]; 2001 No 112, Sch 1.17 \\[1\\]–\\[6\\]; 2006 No 30, Sch 9.8; 2015 No 15, Sch 3.38 \\[3\\].","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 2","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Office of the Director","content":"# Schedule 2 Office of the Director\n\nSchedule 2 Office of the Director\n\n(Section 10)\n\n**sch 2:** Am 2015 No 15, Sch 3.38 \\[4\\].","sortOrder":47},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 3","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Savings and transitional provisions","content":"# Schedule 3 Savings and transitional provisions\n\nSchedule 3 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n(Section 20)","sortOrder":53},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 4","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# Schedule 4\n\nSchedule 4 (Repealed)\n\n**sch 4:** Rep 2003 No 82, Sch 3.","sortOrder":63}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available metadata, there is no clear indication that the scope of this Act changed significantly from its original intent. The Act has been amended periodically since 2000, but it remains focused on establishing and governing the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW. The responsible minister (Attorney General) has remained consistent, suggesting the core purpose — improving access to justice — has been maintained throughout its operation."},"complexity_factors":["Limited substantive content available — only metadata, status information, and navigation elements were provided, not the full operative text of the Act","Multiple historical versions (10 point-in-time versions since 2000) suggest incremental amendments that could create complexity when tracing the law's evolution","Institutional governance structures (board composition, powers, funding mechanisms) typical of foundation/statutory body legislation tend to involve moderate procedural complexity","Cross-references to other NSW legislation (e.g., Interpretation Act 1987, Administrative Arrangements Orders) add minor navigational complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"The Law and Justice Foundation Act 2000 establishes the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW — an independent statutory body, overseen by the NSW Attorney General, charged with improving access to justice for disadvantaged people. It funds research, projects and initiatives that help people who struggle to use the legal system and supports legal aid, community legal centres and researchers to make the justice system fairer and more accessible."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose: establishing and governing the Law and Justice Foundation as a body to improve access to justice and conduct legal research. While it has been amended several times (notably to update references to the Public Purpose Fund and government employment legislation), the core scope has not expanded beyond the Foundation's establishment, governance, and funding mechanisms."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward structure with 4 main Parts plus 3 substantive Schedules","12 defined terms in section 3, plus additional definitions in Schedule 1","Moderate cross-referencing to other Acts (Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014, Trustee Act 1925, Corporations Act 2001, Government Sector Employment Act 2013)","Some conditional logic in Board composition (e.g., 'not more than 3 of the 4 persons... may be an Australian legal practitioner')","Detailed procedural rules for Board meetings, vacancies, and conflicts of interest (Schedule 1, clauses 10-18)","Transitional provisions ensuring continuity from the repealed 1979 Act (Schedule 3)","No nested exceptions or highly conditional operative provisions — most sections are permissive ('may') rather than mandatory ('must') with exceptions"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis Act creates the **Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales** — an independent body corporate (meaning it's a legal entity separate from the government, like a company) that works to make the justice system fairer and more accessible, especially for people who are poor or disadvantaged.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n* **The general public** — particularly people who struggle to access legal help or understand the justice system\n* **Legal professionals** — the Foundation conducts research into law and the legal profession\n* **Researchers and community organisations** — who may receive grants or collaborate with the Foundation\n* **Board members and staff** — the Act sets up detailed rules for how the Foundation is governed\n\n**Key features:**\n\n* **Continues an older body:** The Foundation replaces the \"Law Foundation of NSW\" (set up in 1979) but keeps the same legal identity and assets\n* **Independent but accountable:** It's not part of the government (\"does not represent the Crown\"), but must report annually to Parliament\n* **Funded mainly from the Public Purpose Fund:** This is money from interest on lawyers' trust accounts (money lawyers hold for clients)\n* **Governed by an 8-person Board:** Includes legal experts, people with \"special expertise\" in social sciences or disadvantaged communities, at least one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, and one person nominated by the Opposition Leader\n* **Managed day-to-day by a Director:** Appointed by the Board, not a public servant\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThe Foundation acts as a bridge between the legal system and ordinary people. It funds research into whether the justice system actually works for everyone, runs projects to help people understand their rights, and gives grants to organisations improving access to justice. Without it, there would be less independent scrutiny of whether the legal system serves disadvantaged communities.\n\n**Structure at a glance:**\n\n* **Part 1:** Basic definitions\n* **Part 2:** The Foundation, its Board (8 members), Director, and staff\n* **Part 3:** The Foundation's money — the \"Fund\" and how it's invested and spent\n* **Part 4:** Reporting requirements and repeal of the old Act\n* **Schedules 1-3:** Detailed rules for the Board, the Director, and transitional arrangements"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"No. The Act explicitly continues the former Law Foundation as the same legal entity and preserves its Fund and staff (s4(2); Sch 3 cl 5–6). The 1979 Act is repealed but transitional provisions carry over actions, assets and permit reappointment of previous office-holders while updating governance, appointment processes and reporting requirements (Sch 3; Sch 1; ss13–19)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple governance instruments: primary Act plus Schedules 1–3 specifying board composition, procedures and Director tenure","Appointment mechanics: Attorney General appoints 7 of 8 members with specific nomination routes from Opposition, Bar and Law Society (Sch 1 cl 2)","Composition constraints: caps on practitioner membership and a minimum Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander member (Sch 1 cl 2(4))","Delegation and sub-delegation powers with written instruments (s12)","Funding and finance rules: Fund composition, permitted investments (Trustee Act standard), borrowing and permitted payments (ss14–16)","Reporting and accountability: annual audited accounts and public annual report with Parliamentary laying obligations (ss17–19; s18 audit requirement)","Employment carve-outs: staff and Director are outside the Government Sector Employment Act (s9; Sch 2 cl 1)","Discretionary executive powers: Attorney General may terminate appointments and call first meeting (Sch 1 cl 18, 19)","Conflict-of-interest regime with disclosure book open for public inspection subject to board-determined fee (Sch 1 cl 17(3)–(4))","Transitional continuity provisions preserving staff, assets and legal identity from the 1979 Act (Sch 3)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates the Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales (continuing the former Law Foundation), gives it a statutory role to research the law and improve access to justice, and sets up a Board and Director to run it. It establishes the Law and Justice Foundation Fund (fed by the former fund, the Public Purpose Fund, gifts and borrowings) to meet administration costs, make grants and invest assets (ss4–6, 13–16; Sch 1 cl 2; s10)."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/law-and-justice-foundation-act-2000","history":"/api/acts/law-and-justice-foundation-act-2000/history","analysis":"/api/acts/law-and-justice-foundation-act-2000/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/law-and-justice-foundation-act-2000/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/law-and-justice-foundation-act-2000/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/law-and-justice-foundation-act-2000/documents"}}