31BArranging for services of private legal practitioners

31B Arranging for services of private legal practitioners (1) If the commission provides legal assistance to a person by arranging for the services of a private legal practitioner, the commission may only select a practitioner who is included in a panel established under section 31E (1) (a listed practitioner) to provide that assistance. (2) In selecting a listed practitioner to act for a legally assisted person, the principal considerations that the commission must take into account are the needs and interests of the person and the person’s preference (if any) for a particular listed practitioner. (3) The commission must, after taking into account the considerations mentioned in subsection (2), ensure that selection of a listed practitioner to provide legal assistance is made having regard to the practitioner’s expertise.