Introduction

This booklet and webinar in October 2011 aim to assist those who are in the process of applying, or are about to apply for approval as a legal aid provider under the Legal Services Act 2011. The booklet and seminar complement:

• The approvals policy available on the Ministry of Justice website at http://www.justice.govt.nz/services/information-for-legal-professionals/information-for-legal-aid-providers/legal-aid-provider-manuals/provider-manual/provider-manual

• The application guidelines available on the Ministry of Justice website at http://www.justice.govt.nz/services/information-for-legal-professionals/information-for-legal-aid-providers/documents/provider-application-forms/application-for-approval-to-provide-legal-aid-services-guidelines.pdf

• The application forms available on the Ministry of Justice website at http://www.justice.govt.nz/services/information-for-legal-professionals/information-for-legal-aid-providers/how-to-become-a-legal-aid-provider/approval-guidelines-and-forms

We have included a useful checklist in Appendix One.

The key sections of the Act and Regulations are set out in Appendix Two.