17Determination of applications

### 17 Determination of applications > > (1)  An application for legal aid shall be decided by a Legal Aid Committee, by the Director or by an officer authorized by the Director for the purpose, according to directions of the Commission. > > > (2)  The Commission shall give directions as to the classes of cases in which – > > > > > > (a) applications for legal aid are to be decided by a Legal Aid Committee; and > > > > > > > (b) applications are to be decided by an officer. > > > (3)  Where a Legal Aid Committee or an officer decides to grant an application for legal aid, the Legal Aid Committee or officer shall also decide, in accordance with guidelines issued – > > > > > > (a) whether the legal aid should be provided by making available the services of a private legal practitioner or by making available the services of an officer; and > > > > > > > (b) the nature and extent of the legal aid to be provided; and > > > > > > > (c) whether the legal aid is to be provided free of charge or subject to any of the conditions referred to in [section 21](#GS21@EN) [(1)](#GS21@Gs1@EN) ; and > > > > > > > (d) whether legal aid is to be provided subject to such conditions as may be considered appropriate. > > > (4)  The Director shall ensure that a Legal Aid Committee is provided with such assistance as it requires for the purpose of the performance of its functions under this Act. > > > (5)  For the purpose of deciding an application for legal aid, a Legal Aid Committee or an officer may make such inquiries and obtain such advice and reports as the Committee or officer considers desirable. > > > (6)  The cost of making inquiries or obtaining such advice or reports shall be paid – > > > > > > (a) if the Legal Aid Committee or officer so determines – by the applicant for the legal aid; or > > > > > > > (b) in any other case – out of the Fund.