29APractitioner panels

29A Practitioner panels

S. 29A(1) amended by No. 18/2005 s. 18(Sch. 1 item 57.12(a)).

(1) VLA may establish different panels for—

(a) different classes of matters in relation to which legal assistance may be provided under this Act; or

(b) different parts of the State—

and may determine the conditions subject to which a private law practice or private legal practitioner may be included on any such panel.

S. 29A(2) amended by No. 18/2005 s. 18(Sch. 1 item 57.12(b)).

(2) If VLA proposes to establish a panel under subsection (1) or include additional names on an established panel, it must, by notice published in a daily newspaper circulating generally throughout Victoria or in the relevant part of the State (as the case requires), invite expressions of interest from private law practices or private legal practitioners in having their names included on the panel.

(3) A notice under subsection (2)—

(a) must be published not later than 21 days before the panel is established by VLA or any additional name included on it, as the case requires; and

(b) must specify—

S. 29A(3)(b)(i) amended by No. 18/2005 s. 18(Sch. 1 item 57.12(c)).

(i) the qualifications and experience that a private law practice or private legal practitioner included on the panel must have or the part of the State within which their principal place of practice must be located; and

S. 29A(3)(b)(ii) amended by Nos 18/2005 s. 18(Sch. 1 item 57.12(c)), 53/2007 s. 22.

(ii) the period (not exceeding 5 years) during which a private law practice or private legal practitioner may be included on the panel; and

S. 29A(3)(b)(iii) amended by No. 18/2005 s. 18(Sch. 1 item 57.12(c)).

(iii) the basis on which payment will be made to any private law practice or private legal practitioner included on the panel for services performed as a panel member on behalf of an assisted person; and

(iv) performance standards in relation to the provision of services by panel members; and

(v) requirements with respect to the making of reports to VLA and the keeping of records that must be complied with by panel members in respect of the performance of services on behalf of assisted persons; and

S. 29A(3)(b) (vi) amended by No. 18/2005 s. 18(Sch. 1 item 57.12(c)).

(vi) the grounds on which, and process by which, a private law practice or private legal practitioner may be removed from the panel.

S. 29A(4) amended by No. 18/2005 s. 18(Sch. 1 item 57.12(d)).

(4) The name of a private law practice or private legal practitioner may be included on a panel whether or not their name is also included on a referral panel under section 30 or on another panel established under this section.