http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au VLA News en-us Mon, 21 May 2012 14:00:35 UTC http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/rss RedDot CMS 9.1.1.18 http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4291.htm SGP Navigator contains important compliance information about guidelines, fees and panel membership and as such, all section 29A panel members must read each update. Read about new family law guidelines compliance checks in this edition. Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4291.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4285.htm Practitioners with trial matters in the Latrobe Valley County Court will take part in a pilot project next month, which aims to help people with quality and timely justice. Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4285.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4247.htm The Commonwealth has dropped charges against three Indonesian boat crew accused of aggravated people smuggling. Tue, 1 May 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4247.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4241.htm SGP Navigator contains important compliance information about guidelines, fees and panel membership and as such, all section 29A panel members must read each update. Read about requirements for signed applications for legal assistance in this edition. Tue, 1 May 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4241.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4218.htm Director of Criminal Law Saul Holt has been appointed a part-time member of the Victorian Law Reform Commission, recognising our contribution to law reform. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4218.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4211.htm We are inviting Community Legal Centre lawyers and practitioners on the section 29A panel to participate in a range of criminal and children’s law training that we provide to our in-house lawyers. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4211.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4209.htm Regional practitioners who would like ATLAS+ training in their area can sign up now. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4209.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4208.htm SGP Navigator contains important compliance information about guidelines, fees and panel membership and as such, all section 29A panel members must read each update. Read about income and assets in this edition. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4208.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4196.htm We are seeking expressions of interest from barristers to be involved in a block briefing pilot in the Latrobe Valley County Court from June this year. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4196.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4191.htm Section 29A indictable crime panel practitioners are invited to a register for a workshop on the sentence appeal process, to be held on Wednesday 18 April. Tue, 3 Apr 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4191.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4181.htm SGP Navigator contains important compliance information about guidelines, fees and panel membership and as such, all section 29A panel members must read each update. Read about Proof of Means in this edition. Tue, 3 Apr 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4181.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4186.htm The opportunity to work alongside some of Victoria’s most senior trial barristers has opened for 12 junior counsel who have been accepted into the second intake of the Trial Counsel Development Program. Tue, 3 Apr 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4186.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4182.htm Four public defenders have joined our regional offices as part of our commitment to excellence in advocacy and to providing quality legal aid services across Victoria. Tue, 3 Apr 2012 14:00:00 UTC 4182.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4154.htm SGP Navigator contains important compliance information about guidelines, fees and panel membership and as such, all section 29A panel members must read each update. Read on for information about Restitution Notice repayment orders. Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:00:00 UTC 4154.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4142.htm First and second year lawyers with a strong interest in social justice are encouraged to attend our New Lawyers Program information evening on Tuesday 27 March. Applications for the program open on Friday 30 March. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:00:00 UTC 4142.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4125.htm Registration for expressions of interest from aspiring junior barristers to participate in the Trial Counsel Development Program for the upcoming year is now open. Tue, 6 Mar 2012 13:00:00 UTC 4125.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4120.htm SGP Navigator contains important compliance information about guidelines, fees and panel membership and as such, all section 29A panel members must read each update. Read on for information about family violence and family law property matters. Tue, 6 Mar 2012 13:00:00 UTC 4120.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4121.htm If you have undertaken ATLAS+ training during the CPD year it may qualify you for a unit of CPD training. Mon, 5 Mar 2012 13:00:00 UTC 4121.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4092.htm A distinguished panel of experts including Ron Merkel, QC, took part in a lively debate about freedom of speech before the Attorney-General, The Hon Robert Clark, officially launched our new Equal Opportunity Legal Service. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 UTC 4092.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4088.htm Counsel are invited to attend a Q&A event to learn more about the Trial Counsel Development Program (formally Talented Junior Counsel Program), the selection process and how it will operate in 2012. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:00:00 UTC 4088.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4079.htm SGP Navigator contains important compliance information about guidelines, fees and panel membership and as such, all section 29A panel members must read each update. Read on for information about Summary Crime guidelines. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:00:00 UTC 4079.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4076.htm We are encouraging all eligible legal aid practitioners to upgrade their skills by undertaking Children’s Law Accredited Specialisation. Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:00:00 UTC 4076.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/4041.htm SGP Navigator is for all section 29A panel practitioners who use the simplified grants process (SGP). As it contains important compliance information about guidelines, fees and panel membership, all section 29A panel members must read each edition. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:00:00 UTC 4041.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3979.htm VLA's Assignments unit, which is responsible for administering grands of legal assisance, will be open during the holiday season (except for public holidays). Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3979.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3968.htm The second case in as many weeks involving unpaid fines, where there is no right of appeal, has been decided in the Supreme Court, highlighting the urgent need for infringements law to change. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3968.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3962.htm Satisfaction with VLA services is high according to a recent client survey. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:00:00 UTC 3962.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3883.htm Information for section 29A panel practitioners who use the simplified grants process. This includes the fees for subpoena argument in the County Court and the judgement fee in the Children's Court (Family Division). Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3883.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3752.htm Reminder that the new Commonwealth family law guidelines commence on Tuesday 1 November. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3752.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3723.htm Private practitioner should now use the new claim forms for duty lawyer services provided in the Magistrates' Court and Childrens Court (Family Violence). Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3723.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3722.htm VLA has installed a new release of ATLAS+ to make the system more efficient for both practitioners and VLA grants officers. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3722.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3685.htm On Saturday 1 October, Victoria Legal Aid’s 10 per cent increase to all professional fees and disbursements came into effect. The fee scales and invoices have been updated in ATLAS+ and the VLA Handbook for lawyers. Sun, 2 Oct 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3685.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3681.htm Managing Director Bevan Warner has welcomed the appointment of a new Chairperson and Board member to Victoria Legal Aid. Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3681.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3680.htm The September edition is now available and includes news about an increase in legal aid fees to practitioners, fees for change of fee applications, and more. Sun, 25 Sep 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3680.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3672.htm The new family law guidelines apply from 1 November 2011 and prioritise clients who most need legal aid – children, and adults who face serious issues that affect their children. Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3672.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3668.htm Four new specialist teams are now up and running as part of VLA's Civil Justice Program. Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3668.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3665.htm Find out about how changes to summary criminal procedures are rolling-out across Victoria by reading the fourth Summary Procedure Bulletin. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3665.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3658.htm Victoria Legal Aid's annual report 2010–11 was tabled in the Parliament on Thursday 15 September and shows that we continued to play an important role in helping vulnerable and disadvantaged people this year. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3658.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3657.htm Victoria Legal Aid announces an increase to all legal aid fees paid to practitioners. Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3657.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3613.htm Lawyers will now have easier access to police court documents following Victoria Legal Aid's successful work with Victoria Police convincing them of the merits of easy at-court disclosure. Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3613.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3607.htm The July edition out now includes news about ATLAS+, changes to whole of job fees in criminal law, and much more. Wed, 6 Jul 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3607.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3600.htm ATLAS+, Victoria Legal Aid’s online grants management system, has hit an invoicing milestone and has seen a reduction in workpool backlogs. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3600.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3598.htm Victoria Legal Aid will increase fees for summary crime and bail applications by 2.5 per cent from 1 July 2011. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3598.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3534.htm Whole of job fees in bail applications and County Court appeals against sentence will be removed from 1 July 2011. Thu, 9 Jun 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3534.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3497.htm Funding for independent children's lawyers to instruct at trial has been reinstated by Victoria Legal Aid. Wed, 1 Jun 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3497.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3459.htm We have created an updates page to keep private practitioners informed of changes and improvements to ATLAS+. Tue, 24 May 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3459.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3616.htm Managing Director Bevan Warner looks at recent amendments to Australia’s social security laws. The retrospective legislation means that somebody who did nothing wrong at the time may now find they committed a crime over a decade ago. Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3616.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3615.htm The latest edition of Briefcase looks at our efforts to reduce court delays and our Talented Junior Counsel Program. Sun, 17 Jul 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3615.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3603.htm Fourteen junior barristers will work with some of the state’s most experienced and accomplished senior trial advocates in the Talented Junior Counsel Program – the first of its kind in Australia. Sun, 3 Jul 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3603.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3400.htm Find out about how changes to summary criminal procedures are rolling-out across the state by reading the third Summary Procedure Bulletin. Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3400.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3387.htm The Talented Junior Counsel Program was launched today as one of a number of initiatives aimed at improving the conduct of criminal trials in Victoria. Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3387.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3379.htm VLA has announced an additional series of ATLAS+ training sessions for private practitioners. Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3379.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3375.htm The April edition for Section 29A panel practitioners includes ATLAS FAQs and tips on how to help reduce delays, a quick guide to retrospective assistance, and much more. Sun, 3 Apr 2011 14:00:00 UTC 3375.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3368.htm The post-committal negotiation checklist must now be filed with the court prior to the first directions hearing/post-committal case conference. Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3368.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3362.htm Theo Kassimatis of the Victorian Bar will be available from Monday 28 March to provide practical support for counsel and their instructing solicitors during and after legally-aided trial court proceedings. Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3362.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3314.htm Four new specialist teams are now up and running, forming Criminal Law Melbourne. Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3314.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3359.htm Recruitment to our New Lawyers Progam for first and second-year lawyers opens on Monday 21 March. Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3359.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3336.htm The VLA Board approved new appeal guidelines and fees on Wednesday 16 February 2011 to support new Court of Appeal procedures. Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3336.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3279.htm Find out about how changes to summary criminal procedures are rolling out across the state by reading the second Summary Procedure Bulletin. Mon, 3 Jan 2011 13:00:00 UTC 3279.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/sgpnews.htm Simplified Grants Process (SGP) Navigator helps our s29A panel practitioners keep up to date with any changes to VLA's policies, procedures and guidelines. NaN sgpnews.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/3416.htm A bulletin for lawyers about how changes to summary criminal procedures are rolling-out across the state. NaN 3416.htm http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/