Annual Report 2016 /2017

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Annual Report 2016 /2017 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 I Elizabeth Morris Chair Legal Aid Northern Territory Commission The third theme is the part the Commission plays in the provision The third theme is the part of legal servicesdisadvantaged people across the Northern to aid providers and the in conjunction with other legal Territory, private profession. Report to Annual to present our latest This year I am pleased outlined above are again expanded on The three themes you. Board is justifiably proud of the and the in the attached report, We Commission in this financial year. continuing work of the Suzan leadership of the Director, acknowledge the excellent particularly also We staff. her of work hard the and QC Cox Ms Manager, acknowledge the professional work of the Finance provides a high level of service who to the Board. Barbara Lelli, faithfully Yours Reading back through the Commission’s Annual Reports since the Commission’s Reading back through emerge. some common themes 1991, staff are praised, Invariably the dedication of the Director and and by the legal their professionalism is recognised by the Chair profession. of the servicesThe second common theme is the increasing use the Commission that the Commission provides and the efforts of includes This to best use its resources to provide these services. as well as better business systems to operate more efficiently to advise developing community legal education programs It also includes the people of their rights and legal avenues. dedication to managing strategically. Board’s Dear Madam Attorney The Hon. Natasha Fyles MLA The Hon. Attorney-General Justice and Minister for House Parliament State Square DARWIN NT 0800 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 II northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 III 30 33 34 35 36 38 39 69 Activities Legal Education Community Case Study Law Family End Top Network Pathways Act 2003 (NT) Information Our Committees Legal ServiceViolence Domestic Financial Statements Our Office Locations 1 4 7 9 11 12 14 24 s

Directors Report Directors

Performance Highlights Performance The Commissioners - 2020 Strategic Plan 2017 Our Obligations Overview of Our Operations Our Offices and Principal Functions Our Staff and Development tent Con northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 IV northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 001

Our environment the establishment events this year were firstly, significant Two and Detention of of the Royal Commission into the Protection the subsequent change of the Children in the NT and secondly, NT government. Four ABC’s the The Royal Commission was established following Corners which exposed the conditions of detention at program examined The Royal Commission the Don Dale Detention Centre. the NT. in systems and protection care and detention youth the Aid Commission (NTLAC) represents young people The NT Legal assists Justice Court and also Youth facing criminal charges in the in relation parents who are involved in child protection proceedings raised NTLAC has for many years held and to their children. concernsabout each of these systems and how they interact NTLAC cooperated with the to the detriment of young people. tell their who wished to clients by assisting Royal Commission informationwith Royal Commission the provided and stories and This required considerable documentation as required by them. 2,991 clients – 10% more than last year, saw 6,227 clients clients 6,227 saw year, last than more 10% – clients 2,991 duty last year – and our clinics – 12% more than in our advice people at court – 10% more than the lawyers assisted 4,162 previous year. vulnerable and disadvantaged members Our clients are the most receiving some formof society with 50% of government people are Strait Islander Torres Aboriginal and assistance. the in represented over are They disadvantaged. particularly and therefore in our prison population. criminal justice system of our servicesOver the past year 33% our and 40% of Strait Torres Aboriginal and delivered to grants of legal aid were Islander people. 21% of our The NT is culturally diverse and this past year services and linguistically diverse were delivered to the culturally education provide legal continue to We of our community. section Education team to these communities and our Community Legal is proactive in this area. 4 which undermines the Sackville 5 was published the gap between gap the published Report was Sackville

Legal aid services are the means by which the goal of equality before the law will be transformed from an ideal into reality. [T]he form country legal aid takes in this will largely decide the a positive role in remedying whether the law is to play have suffered and in overcoming injustices that poor people that is an integral part of poverty. “powerlessness” the vision of legal aid services as being the instrument Report’s and broader social justice, through which equality before the law, would be realised. Forty years ago the Australian GovernmentAustralian of Inquiry Commission years ago the Forty stated:¹ which Sackville Report, published the into Poverty and almost universal recognition years on there is no dispute Forty not only of the principle that governmentsfund legal aid, should but also to provide civil advice in relation to criminal prosecutions The Sackville Report was fundamentally and representation.² the alleviation of concerned with the alleviation of injustice; The sad truth is that in poverty was clearly a related objective.³ Australian population is below the poverty line 2017 14% of the aid. and only 8% of the population is eligible for legal Increased service demand and civil society. Access to justice is a vital part of our democratic which dictates our means test Despite the limitation of funds, continued to we have and priority areas of service delivery, Over the past 12 months we expand access to justice in the NT. took Helpline telephone Our services. 29,465 of total a delivered making with legal information, assisting people 16,085 calls, appointments for legal advice at one of our legal advice clinics and referring callers to organisations and other services best able Aid lawyers represented Legal to give the assistance required. those who live in poverty and those who can access free legal free access can who those and poverty in live who those funding the to part, large in due, is This widened. has assistance inflation and the of legal aid commissions not keeping pace with The result is that many strict financial means tests that are applied. have disadvantaged people with matters worthy of representation been denied legal assistance, Since the Since Director’s Report 002 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 of breachesdomesticviolence orders, reducedomestic be legallyassisted. The aimsofREALSaretoreducethenumber long advocatedforrespondentsto domesticviolenceordersto work withdomesticandfamilyviolence victimsinthecourtshave defendants indomesticandfamily violence matters. Those who Early (REALS)inDarwin toassist Assistance LegalService With theotherhalfoffunding, weestablishedtheRespondent to partnerwithacommunitylegalcentresupportthisservice. providers.legal service We aredelightedtohavebeenable Assistance Forum andacollaborativeplanningprocessbetween inthe NTthroughtheLegal identified bylegalservices domestic and familyviolence. This area of need has been lawyer andsocialworkertoassistwomenwhoarevictimsof Katherine Women’s toenablethememploya LegalService We entered an agreement to provide half of this funding to the inthemuchneededareaofdomesticviolence.provide services We were successful in securing Commonwealth funding to New initiatives Director’s Report Director’s recommendations fromtheRoyalCommission. justice systemandtheprotectionofchildrenwhileawaiting to improve the youth are continuing to work with government these policy initiatives are gradually being implemented. We the newgovernment’s policyplatform. Sincetakinggovernment changes totheyouthjusticesystemhadbeenasignificantpartof hasbeensignificantasbroad The changeofgovernment lead toimprovedoutcomesintheseareas. justice andchildprotection. We arehopefulthatthe Reportwill and totherecommendationsthatwillbemadeinrespectyouth look forwardtothepublicationofRoyalCommission’s report detention andthelegalissuesinchildwelfarejurisdiction. We task. We alsomadeadetailedsubmissioninrelationtoyouth Attorney-General’s Departmenttoassistusinthisenormous We received financial assistance fromthe Australian Government totheRoyalCommission. information to providethenecessary assistant andleasedextraofficespaceforfourmonthstobeable time andresources. We employedfourlawyers, anadministrative (continued) In Decemberlastyearwelaunched Law InfoNT, aplain language area ofcivillawneedwhichrequires ourservices. Insurance Schemeanditappears that thisisanewemerging administrative lawcasesarisingunder theNationalDisability Our CivilLawPracticehasbegun totakeonanumberof legal assistance. Torres StraitIslanderpeoplewhootherwisewouldmissouton has resulted in resolving complex legal issues of Aboriginal and assistance. successfulcollaborationand This hasbeenavery in DarwinandPalmerston toprovideciviladviceandminor week atthehealthclinics provide civiladvicelawyersevery whereby we collaboration withtheDanilaDilbaHealthService aHealthJustice In ourCivilLawPracticewehaveformed with bothCAALASandNTLAC Youth Justiceclients. Central Australian Aboriginal Legal (CAALAS)towork Aid Service we havecontributedtofundingasocialworkerbasedatthe working withour Youth JusticelawyerinDarwin. In Alice Springs our Domestic Violence LegalService, Family LawPracticeand with familylawissues. We nowhaveasocialworkerbasedin justice system, victimsoffamilyviolenceand clientsstruggling provide vitalnon-legalassistancetoyoungpeopleinthecriminal this yearemployedsocialworkerstoworkwithourlawyers As part of theimplementation of our Strategic Plan wehave violence legalservices. hasbeenwellreceivedbytheCourt,service policeanddomestic appropriate programs such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The positive. Defendantsarenowparticipatingincounsellingandother only beeninoperationforashorttime, theearlysignsarevery at ourlegaladviceclinics. isnewandhas Although theservice counsellor fromCatholicCareNTattendingbothatCourtand witha clinics andprovidesanintegratedsocialsupportservice domestic violence list. also runs free legal advice This service to defendantsattheLocalCourtinDarwinduringsittingsof the NTLACCivilLawPracticeandprovidesadutylawyerservice and toresolvemattersatanearlystage. REALSislocatedin violence recidivism, reducethetimethesematters takeincourt northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 003

I thank all the staff in our five offices across the NT for their tireless across the NT for their staff in our five offices I thank all the I thank on a daily basis. to providing access to justice contribution assistance sector for their support and our partners in the legal clients legal aid and counsel who act for the private practitioners for greatly reduced fees. Hon. the Territory, Attorney-General of the Northern I thank the Attorney-General Commonwealth of the Natasha Fyles MP and the ongoing their for Brandis, George Senator Hon. the Australia, of will continue to work with both NTLAC commitment to legal aid. Attorneys justice for the people of the to improve access to Northern Territory. Suzan Cox QC Director Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission Law and Poverty in Australia: 40 years after the Poverty Commission/ Durbach, Commission/ Durbach, 40 years after the Poverty Australia: in Law and Poverty 28. Edgeworth and Sentas (editors), Australian Government Productivity Commission, Access to Justice Australian Government Productivity Commission, page 719. 2, Volume Report, Arrangements, Access to Justice Australian Government Commission, Productivity at 24 noted that the Legal 1, Vol Report No 72 (2014), Arrangements, “reality of Aid Commissions’ (LACs) means tests are too mean and that the fixed budgets means that the LACs have not been able to keep updating “many disadvantaged resulting in the thresholds to keep pace with inflation” Australians…not [being] eligible for grants of legal assistance”( at 64). Australian Government Commission of Inquiry into Poverty, 1975, Second Main Second 1975, Australian Government Commission of Inquiry into Poverty, 9. Australia (the Sackville Report), in Law and Poverty Report, Ibid., 27. Ibid.,

4 5 2 3 1 I would like to thank Judge Elizabeth Morris, Chair of NTLAC I would like to thank Judge Elizabeth Morris, and counsel and each of the Commissioners for their support, particular, In Board. Commission the on participation enthusiastic for her nominee, Attorney General’s the Anne Bradford, I thank very for the past 6 years valuable contribution as a Commissioner Alice Springs Office Principal Lawyer at our and Russell Goldflam, Commissioner for his significant contribution as the staff elected for the past three years. Thank you legal information website for the NT. This was a collaborative This was a collaborative legal information for the NT. website identified We organisations. other legal and non-legal project with especially the need for information law to be accessible, about the of literacy and education and for for people with low levels We linguistically diverse backgrounds. people from culturally and Trust Public Purposes NT Law Society’s obtained a grant from the a project officer who undertook the and were able to employ make sure the website would be a useful consultation required to The website provides simple answers to and relevant resource. referrals to legal services and links to common legal questions, look at on their listen to or read, resources people can watch, which can Law Info NT is a new and valuable resource devices. serviceother and individuals by both used be help to providers vulnerable clients. 004 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 who soughtassistance fromtheLegal Aid Helpline, websiteorcommunitylegaleducation services. The percentagesinclude clientswhomayhaveaccessed morethanoneservice. The percentages donotincludeclients The Communityweassisted Performance Highlights 9 Were asentenceofimprisonment serving 20 Were overseas born 21 4 Were undertheage of18 6 Identified themselvesas Aboriginaland/or Torres StraitIslanders 33 Lived outsideamajorcity/town 5 Benefits Received Government 50 Were overtheageof65 Were providedwithassistancefromaninterpreter % % % % % % % % northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 005

% % % % 55 & REFERRAL LEGAL INFORMATION 21 LEGAL ADVICE PROVIDED DUTY LAWYER SERVICE DUTY LAWYER 14 10 LEGAL REPRESENTATION These percentages represent the distribution of total services provided during 2016-17. The Commission provided a total of 29,465 services provided a total The Commission (27,376 in 2015-16) in 2016-17 The Services we provided * 4% Highlights Total Assets Assets Total Other Revenue - Projects Commonwealth Other Grant Commonwealth Grant Interest Client Contributions & Recoveries Other Revenue - Miscellaneous NT Government Other Grant NT Government Grant Operating Revenue Minor Assets Administration Expenses Direct Legal Expenses Personnnel Depreciation NT LEGAL AID EXPENSES Increase or Other Revenue - Projects Commonwealth Other Grant Commonwealth Grant Interest Client Contributions & Recoveries Other Revenue - Miscellaneous NT Government Other Grant NT Government Grant Operating Revenue Minor Assets Administration Expenses Direct Legal Expenses Personnnel Depreciation NT LEGAL AID EXPENSES Commonwealth Other Grant * Assets Total 4% Highlights

Increase or

Commonwealth

7% Other Grant

-‐

Financial decrease is

7% -‐ Interest

Financial decrease is

1% Commonwealth Interest

1% as c as Commonwealth Grant

44% 6% Total Liabilities Total

Opera=ng Revenue

ompared to 15,587,271 14,590,176

1,667,913 5,653,000 6,956,000 1,386,582 1,467,911 2,766,604 8,797,858

as c as 15,587,271 14,590,176

Grant 171,221 125,358 254,056 813,788 1,667,913 5,653,000 6,956,000 1,386,582 1,467,911 2,766,604 8,797,858

44% 49,467 67,689 Total Liabilities Total 6% ContribuKons &

125,358 254,056 813,788 171,221

Opera=ng Revenue

49,467 67,689 ompared to Recoveries

Client ContribuKons &

Recoveries

5,548,000 5,290,000

the

109,319 920,820 115,767 199,493 467,000 1446518 1273665 1967964 7697820 Client 5,548,000 5,290,000

65,649 107652

109,319 920,820 115,767 199,493 467,000 1446518 1273665 1967964 7697820

65,649 107652

006 financial

the

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 - -

- -

financial

2,871,223 1,666,000 2,096,557 1,100,038

747,093 105,000 346,788 194,246 798,640 2,871,223 1,666,000 2,096,557 1,100,038 12% Equity

Other Revenue -‐ 59,852 54,563 59,936 63,569

747,093 105,000 346,788 194,246 798,640

9,591 2,040

Miscellaneous

year 59,852 54,563 59,936 63,569

9,591 2,040 Equity 12% Other Revenue -‐ - -

Miscellaneous 2014-‐ year - - 0%

NT Government

0.02 0.26 0.04 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.12 0.58 0.03 0.09 0.38 0.52 0.03

2014-‐ 0%

15 NT Government Grant 42%

Other Revenue -‐ 15 Grant

42% NT Government Other Grant Projects Other Revenue -‐

1% NT Government 4% Other Grant Projects 10% Current Ratio Interest 2015-16 was used to determine thepercentage increaseordecreasefor2016-17. 2015-16 wasusedtodetermine Financial Summary Performance Highlights Interest 1% Commonwealth Grant 1% 1% Commonwealth Grant Client Contributions & 4% Client Contributions & 10% Current Ratio Commonwealth Other Commonwealth Other Recoveries 36% Recoveries

36%

2% 33% Grant 2% 11% Grant 11%

* Assets Total 4% Highlights

Increase or Commonwealth

Other Grant

Operating Revenue Operating Revenue 18% Operating Revenue Other Revenue

Miscellaneous 7% Other Revenue - Miscellaneous -‐ DepreciaKon 0%

Debt Ratio 9% Financial decrease is 0%

Personnnel Personnnel Interest Opera=ng Expenses 1% - DepreciaKon 62% 9% Debt Ratio

Personnnel Personnnel 1% Commonwealth NT Government Other

Opera=ng Expenses NT Government Other 1% 62%

Other Revenue

9% as c as Other Revenue - Grant Grant 5% 44% Projects

Total Liabilities Total 6% Grant 4% Highlights * Total Assets Assets Total 5% Opera=ng Revenue Projects 0% Increase or ompared to 0% NT Government Grant

Commonwealth Total Revenue 6% NT Government Grant ContribuKons & Other Grant

23%

Minor Assets 45% Recoveries Total Revenue 6% 45%

7% Client 1% 11% -‐ Minor Assets

Financial decrease is

the

11% Interest

financial

1% Commonwealth

51% as c as Grant

Equity 12% Other Revenue -‐ 44% 6% Total Liabilities Total

Miscellaneous year Opera=ng Revenue (continued) ompared to Total Expenses 9% 16% AdministraKo ContribuKons &

2014-‐ Direct Legal

n Expenses NT Government Expenses Recoveries

Total Expenses 9%

16% 10% AdministraKo Client Direct Legal n Expenses 15 1% Grant Expenses 42%

16% the 10%

Other Revenue -‐

NT Government financial

Depreciation

Other Grant Depreciation Projects 1% 1% 1% Personnnel 21%

Personnnel 4% Operating Expenses

60% 10% Current Ratio 60% 12% Equity Other Revenue -‐

Miscellaneous year Operating Expenses Operating Expenses

2014-‐ 0%

NT Government

Minor Assets Minor Assets 15 Grant 10% 42%

10%

Other Revenue -‐

NT Government Other Grant Projects Administration Expenses 1% Administration Expenses DepreciaKon 4% Debt Ratio 9% 10% Current Ratio Personnnel Personnnel Direct Legal Expenses Direct Legal Expenses 10% Opera=ng Expenses 1% 62% 10%

19% 19%

Total Revenue 6%

Minor Assets

11%

DepreciaKon 9% Debt Ratio Personnnel Personnnel

Opera=ng Expenses 1% 62%

Total Expenses 9% 6% Total Revenue AdministraKo Direct Legal n Expenses Expenses Minor Assets

16%

10% 11%

9% Total Expenses AdministraKo Direct Legal n Expenses Expenses

16% 10%

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 007

29 October 1997. 29 October 1997. Samantha Byrne Aid Commissioner in May 2013 as the Samantha joined as a Legal standing public servant Samantha is a long with nomination. Treasurer’s procurement development, policy management, financial in experience Samantha has undertaken strategic and operational and governance. and Economic Policy roles and is currently the Senior Director of Samantha and Finance. Treasury Commercial with the Department of a and Accountant Practising a Certified is Business, of Bachelor a holds Australian Institute of Company Directors. member of the Meredith Day Attorney-General of the Currently the Deputy CEO of the Department Previous in 2016. and Justice and was appointed as a Commissioner Territory the Northernpositions include Director Litigation at Solicitor for Prior to joining and Director Legal Services of Health. for the Department the public service as a solicitor in private practice in Meredith worked Darwin University Darwin (1987 and 2000) and as a lecturer at Charles Arts and a Bachelor of Laws She holds a Bachelor of (2001 to 2005). Adelaide and a Master of Laws from the University from the University of of Melbourne. Eileen Terrill Commenced with LLB in 1976. Adelaide of Eileen graduated University to 1985 1977 From in 1977. Territory practice in the Northern From 1985 to 1986 in local Darwin firms. employed as a solicitor Aid Australian Legal Section of the and Civil Law Manager of the Family Aid Australian Legal the From 1986 to 1990 Director of Darwin. Office, Darwin based Principal of a small From 1991 to present, Darwin. Office, to 2003. Councillor of Law Society of the NT from 1993 legal practice. Law Society Territory of the NorthernOn the Executive Committee Attorney- Territory the NorthernAppointed by from 1997 to 2003. appointed Originally the Law Society. on the nomination of General,

Legal Aid Act.

Suzan graduated from UNSW with BA, LLB, 1978; LLM (Criminal LLM 1978; LLB, BA, with graduated from UNSW Suzan Public Solicitor, Office of the 1980-90 Solicitor, Law) NYU 1985. Senior Criminal CAALAS, Senior Criminal Solicitor, Moresby, Port at the Melbourne NAALAS (now NAAJA) and practised Solicitor, at the Commission as Senior Solicitor, 1990 until 2002 From Bar. Criminal Law Practice, Senior Counsel, Law Practice, Family and Director from July 2002 Acting Director, Deputy Director, August 2002. appointed Queens Counsel in Sector Management. Suzan Cox QC Chair appointed as the Chair in September Judge Morris was first having previously served on the Board as an appointee 2010, now as a Magistrate, She was appointed Attorney General. of the formerly being the Deputy 2010, April in Local Court Judge, Her previous positions include CEO of the Department of Justice. Gaming and Licensing being the Executive Director of Racing, Her earlier Territory. and the Deputy Coroner for the Northern Legal Territory Northernthe with years nine included career legal Territory in Judge Morris first came to the Aid Commission. She has Associate in the Supreme Court. 1990 to work as an the Laws from of a Bachelor and Arts (Honours) a Bachelor of a Graduate Certificate in Public as well as University of Sydney, Elizabeth Morris

Commissioners’ Role Commissioners’ is to provide overall of Commissioners The role of the Board NTLAC and effective oversight of strategic guidance for appointed in accordance The Commissioners are management. with section 6 of the The Commissioners The 008 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Subcommittee. andFinance Australia andamemberofitsGovernance ontheBoardforRefugeeCouncilof Ali istheSecretary (India) andthe2004tsunamiinSriLanka. responses teaminEast Timor; the2001earthquakeinGujarat Ali has also workedwith OXFAM’s Humanitarian emergency Melaleuca RefugeeCentre. communities inCentral asthedirectorof Australia andserved people withdisabilities. Ali spenttimeworkingwithIndigenous the Northern Territory; fortheagedand specialisinginservices developing policyandprogramsfortheDepartmentofHealthin from refugeebackground. Hehasover20yearsexperience Australians, theaged, peoplewithdisabilitiesand Ali has worked extensively throughout Australia with Indigenous Somali NationalUniversity. from University ofSydneyandaBachelorMedicine&Surgery since 1985. Ali holdsaMasterofPublicHealthdegreefromthe Originally from Somalia, Ali has lived in the Northern Territory Ali Nur The Commissioners (continued)

including legal. sectors,Management acrossabroadrangeofindustry andworked extensively in Human Resources in Melbourne career, ChrissystudiedHumanResourcesatMonashUniversity Associate toJustice Trevor Riley. Priortocommencingherlegal Charles DarwinUniversity, graduatingin2008whilstshewasan 2013 to2015. inDarwinandstudied lawat Chrissywasborn the vice-presidentofNTCriminalLawyers Association from is aseniorlawyerwithinthecrimesection. as Chrissyserved Board. ShehasbeenalawyerwiththeNTLACsince2009and 2017 followingherelectionasthestaffrepresentativeto Chrissy wasappointedasaLegal Aid CommissionerinMay Chrissy McConnel

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 009

Ensure that our services quality and are of high appropriately targeted. Maintain and continue to improve effective service delivery, Maintain and continue to improve effective service delivery, consistency and accessibility for our clients quality, servicesaccessing to barriers Identify unmet identify and legal need Develop collaborative solutions with our preferred providers and stakeholders Develop collaborative solutions with our preferred providers and stakeholders The impact of policy decisions made by governments, decisions made by governments, The impact of policy economic and social factors alliance partners and broader to client Changing demographics and subsequent changes demand and services required Balancing the need to meet demand for services with the need to invest in our people and systems changing informationRapidly technology capability and expectations and Legislative response and priorities at Commonwealth levels Territory Openness to systemic reform Delivering quality services across a large geographic area with a dispersed population Our Goals and Strategies Service Delivery 1. statement: Goal Strategies for 2017-2020: • • • • Our Environment in the continuing challenges of the NT, NTLAC strives to meet in but also taking into account our location Australian context, the and isolated population The diverse Australia. northern and central present challenges to rural and and geographical remoteness regional service delivery. our of challenges and risks issues, opportunities, The environment include: • • • • • • •

Fairness and equity valuing diversity Fairness dignity, with respect, our functions Performing compassion and honesty ethical Committed to the rule of law, innovation and continuous review standards, and improvement to ensure quality service Accountable for actions and decisions A safe and supporting work environment

and consequences Legal representation in courts and tribunals – including Legal representation in courts and tribunals domestic violence child protection, family law, criminal law, and mental health family and civil law Duty lawyer services – in criminal, Early intervention minor assistance over – legal advice and the phone or face-to-face protection Lawyer assisted dispute resolution – for child matters and for families experiencing separation Preventative legal services – community legal education, telephone information and referral through our website, information service and customer service counters law reform and advice – including impacts Policy Our Services including: do this by providing a broad spectrum of services, We • • • • • • Integrity: Professionalism: Accountability: Our Values Social Justice: To ensure that people in the NT, particularly those who are particularly those who NT, ensure that people in the To to quality services understand and have access disadvantaged, legal rights and interests. to protect and enforce their Sustainability: Our Purpose Our Vision system. be a leader in a fair justice To Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020 2017 Plan Strategic 010 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 • • • • • • Strategies for2017-2020: Goal statement: 3. Partnerships andRelationships • • • • Strategies for2017-2020: Goal statement: 2. Reputation andInfluence Strategic Plan2017-2020 quality services Partner withpreferredsupplierswherepossibletoensure forums Initiate and continue to participate in key activities and and responsive Ensure partnershipswithotherstakeholdersarekeptviable Continue toimproveourreferralpathways expertise, andresources information Explore opportunitiestopartnerwithotherssharelegal legal professionandjudiciary Islanders Legal Services, Community Legal Centres (CLCs), key stakeholders, includingthe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Maintain relationshipswiththe andother Attorneys-General needs with afocusondisadvantaged people andunmetlegal aroundlegalissues,Provide evidence-basedinformation Promote theworkofCommissiontocommunity the Commission’s business Participate inlegalandpublicforumsonmattersrelevantto policy Play aleadingroleinthedevelopmentoflegislationand ensure thebestuseofallavailableresources. Work with otheragenciesandstakeholdersto clients. governments, partners, the community and and respectedprofessionalorganisationwith Maintain andbuildourreputationasatrusted • • • • • Strategies for2017-2020: Goal statement: 4. Innovation andImprovement • • • • • Strategies for2017-2020: Goal statement: 5. Capability andCulture resolution dispute Explore opportunitiestoincreasealternative efficiently, effectively, ethicallyandbroadly more Seek opportunitiesofnewwaystodeliverservices practices challenge andimproveestablishedsystems, processesand Actively seektheideasofstaff, stakeholdersandclientsto evaluation ofprogramactivities Enhance datacollectionandreportingtoenablemeaningful delivery Continue toimproveandmaintainservice Improve businesssupportsystemsandtechnology healthy worklifebalance Support staff in managing and prioritising workloads for a Create andmaintainahealthysafeworkenvironment review and performance development forallstaff, including orientation, supervision Ensure comprehensivetrainingandprofessional based onequity, andtransparency good governance Maintain apositiveandprofessionalteamenvironment (continued) improvement acrosstheCommission. Foster acultureofinnovationandcontinuous realise theirfullpotential. that enablestheCommissionandemployeesto Develop organisationalcapabilityandaculture northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 011

with such statistical and other informationstatistical and other with such as they reasonably require; make its services available to persons eligible for legal making by and offices, local such establishing by assistance within as it considers appropriate such other arrangements, funding limitations; determine of legal assistance as priorities in the provision of persons or classes of matters; between different classes servicesof duty lawyer arrange for the provision at sittings considers appropriate as in such courts as it Territory in the funding may permit; endeavour to secure the services of language interpreters, to help marriage counsellors and other appropriate persons they which of respect in matters with connection in persons and are provided with legal assistance; carryand initiate to designed programs educational out sections of promote an understanding by the public (and by their rights, the public having special needs in this respect) of privileges and duties under the laws in force in powers, the Territory. Legal aid agreements period 2015/16 In June 2015 Commonwealth funding for the and is set out in to 2019/20 financial years was established Agreement between the Commonwealth the National Partnership Territories. and the States and • • • • •

(NT) 1990 as 1990 (NT) Legal Aid Act provides that the NTLAC shall: provides that the NTLAC ’). Legal Aid Act Legal Aid Act

legal profession; considers it and if NTLAC with, liaise and co-operate with arrangements reciprocal make so, do to desirable practitioners professional bodies representing private legal provision of and other bodies engaged or interested in the or elsewhere; Territory legal assistance in the legal liaise with professional bodies representing private in appropriate practitioners in order to facilitate the use, of services provided by private circumstances, legal practitioners; make maximum use of services which private legal practitioners offer to provide on a voluntary basis; encourage and permit persons who are not legal practitioners it practicable and so far as NTLAC considers to participate, under professional on a voluntary basis, proper to do so, in the provision of legal assistance by officers; supervision, or provide officers and agencies of the Commonwealth concernedState a assistance of legal the provision in ensure that legal assistance is provided in the most effective, is provided in the most effective, ensure that legal assistance manner; efficient and economic are carried on consistently with, ensure that its activities private the of independence the prejudice, do not and amended (‘the

Duties of the NT Legal Aid Commission the NT Legal Duties of the under established is NTLAC Our Obligations Our Section 8 of the • • • • • • • 012 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Overview ofOurOperations Overview and communitylegaleducation. lawyer services, orlegalrepresentation, information, assistance andreferral,information legaladvice, helpfromoneofourduty of legal provided by NTLAC take the form The services NT orsuchanauthoritybodyhasinterest. law oftheNTorininterestsabodycorporatewhich authority orbodyestablishedforapublicpurposebyunder may be, adversetotheinterestsof Territory, theinterestsofan proceeding ormatterwheretheinterestsofpersonare, or allows NTLACtoprovideassistanceapersoninrelation Commonwealth Governments. Section27ofthe NTLAC isindependentoftheNorthern Territory and Legal Aid Act Aid Legal bythe byNTLACisgoverned The provisionoflegalservices • • During thisyear, wereavailableasfollows: duty lawyerservices limited representation. appropriate. Dutylawyersprovidelegaladviceandmay those Courtsand Tribunals intheNTasDirectorconsiders are availableatsuchsittingsof Free dutylawyerservices Duty LawyerServices private solicitors. civil law matters through legal advice clinics and referrals to Free legaladviceisavailable in relationtocriminal, family and Legal Advice available fromNTLAC’s Legal Aid Helpline. is Free andreferraltootherappropriateservices legalinformation andReferral Legal Information To respondentstoproceedingsundertheDomesticand independent Domestic Violence LegalService. To personsexperiencingdomesticviolencethrough the . Legal Aid Act Aid Legal

• • • • which arepublishedontheCommission’s website. Assistance isprovidedinaccordancewithNTLAC’s Guidelines pay acontribution. providing legalassistance. The majorityofclientsarerequiredto that theassistedpersoncontributestopartorallofcost assistance. The assistance may be provided free or on condition (b) itisreasonableinallthecircumstancestoprovidelegal assistance issought; and in respect of which legal legal practitioners the legal services she orheisunabletoaffordthecostofobtainingfromprivate (a) apersonisinneedofthatlegalassistancebyreason NTLAC is required by section 12 of the Guidelines Legal Assistance of the Legal assistancemaybeprovidedinaccordancewithsection26 Legal Assistance The guidelinesareavailableonNTLAC’s website. exercise ofdiscretion. making decisions as to other specified matters involving the applied inconsideringapplicationsforlegalassistanceand determine, andmakeknowntothe public, guidelinestobe In mattersunderthe Commission hasanoffice. In criminal law matters at Courtsinlocations where the Tribunal. To peopleappearing beforetheMentalHealthReview To sittingsofthe Family andFederal CircuitCourts. Family ViolenceAct. Legal Aid Act Aid Legal if: Care and Protection of Children Act Children of Protection and Care Legal Aid Act Aid Legal to . northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 013

Locations Katherine, Palmerston, Darwin, NTLAC maintains offices in limited services and provides to Alice Springs, Creek and Tennant either its own staff or private practitioners. other regions by utilising servicesNTLAC also conducts outreach outside of these offices, community organisations and prisons, including the courts, remote communities. Legal Practices family law, criminal include which practices legal conducts NTLAC NTLAC also auspices civil law and family dispute resolution. law, Service. Violence Legal an independent Domestic , a private , . Initial contributions of a minimum of Initial contributions of a minimum . , the person affected may request that the , . Legal Aid Act Legal Aid Act Reconsideration and Review of Decisions an unfavourable An applicant for legal assistance may request that VI with Part decision be reconsidered or reviewed in accordance of the Contributions and RecoveryContributions of Costs section with accordance in collected are contributions Client 29 of the Where a decision is confirmedis decision a Where reconsideration following varied or by an officer of NTLAC decision be referred to a Review Committee for review. decision be referred to a Review Committee for NTLAC The Review Committee consists of an officer of with relevant legal practitioner and an independent person experience. $110.00 are usually imposed, except where the person is in $110.00 are usually imposed, final contributions may also be Interim and custody or a child. financial assisted person’s especially where a legally imposed, of a grant currency of the improved during have circumstances from custody. aid or they have been released or all of the costs Where possible NTLAC may also recover some the client. incurred in representing funding NTLAC’s Client contributions are an important part of base. 014 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Our Officesand Principal Functions • • • • • • • • Located withintheDarwinofficearefollowingdivisions: atNicholsPlaceinDarwin. independent service The Domestic whichoperatesasan Violence LegalService and grantsfunctionsarecentralisedinDarwin. accounting, technology, information humanresourceservices Financial management, financial andstatisticalreporting, Darwin Office Family DisputeResolutionProgram andPrevention Early Intervention Grants Section Civil Law Family Law Criminal Law Corporate Services The Directorate Darwin Office Darwin provide directiontotheoperationsofCommission. In consultation with the Board of Commissioners, manage and Objective: The Directorate • • • • Legal AdviceandDutyLawyerServices Northern Territory andCommonwealthlegislation. To provideassistance inrelationtocriminalmattersunder Objective: Criminal LegalPractice and effectivemanner. are providedtothepeopleofNorthern Territory inanefficient Provide supportandinfrastructurewithinNTLACsothatservices Objective: Corporate Services on calltelephoneadvicetochildrenandadultsincustody. attheprisonseachweek;a dutylawyerservice and Alice SpringsCourts; atDarwin,duty lawyerservices Katherine, Tennant Creekand their rightsandobligationsatalloffices; concise initialadvicetomembersofthepublicinrespect northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 015 lawyers specialising in youth justice. The practice involves The practice in youth justice. lawyers specialising original and the Supreme Courts’ YJC and in the proceedings Youth required for skills are Particular Appellate jurisdiction. provide children in conflict with the law a Justice advocates who social and family issues. their legal, holistic approach to resolving to governmentNTLAC makes submissions and relevant in relation to issues or concernsstakeholders as appropriate arising for making recommendations and system justice youth the from improvements. to keep youth out of the criminal NTLAC recognises that we need Royal Commission into the The possible. justice system wherever of youth in the NT was welcomed by the detention and protection of this enquiry. Commission and we look forward to the report Criminal Policy to to contribute limited ability have crime solicitors Though our submissions and commentary on proposed policy initiatives it is an issues, and legislative changes involving criminal law for qualified well are lawyers our and work our of part important lawyers in the Criminal Law Practice are In addition, this role. particularly involved in community legal education initiatives, young people and people from refugee or with children, migrant background. impacts Court Diversion Health Mental the of jurisdiction new The resourcing as it is very resource intensive. on NTLAC’s

representation in pleas of guilty, hearings in contested hearings of guilty, representation in pleas in Courts of Summarymatters and committals Jurisdiction; on trials for pleas of guilty, representation including to mental impairment, applications in respect indictment, periods (for prisoners servingextensions of non-parole mandatory and indefinite sentences life sentences) serious sex offences in the for violent offenders and Supreme Court; Health Diversion Court; representations in the Mental Strait Islander legal Torres and Aboriginal referrals from services of conflict of interest to assist clients in cases including attending remote communities; and Board; representations to the NT Parole and Appeal Court of Criminal the Supreme Court, appeals to High Court. - representation of pleas and contested hearings; and - sentence reviews; - appeals to the Supreme Court. Youth Justice Practice in both the Darwin and Alice the Darwin and Justice Practice in both Youth NTLAC’s Justice Courts is conducted by our dedicated Youth Springs • • • • • Representation of Youth Justice Court (‘YJC’) Youth • Duty lawyer service in the Where legal aid has been granted: • Representation of Adults Representation granted: Where legal aid has been • 016 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 ------of: intheform andlegalrepresentationservices intervention people Territory widethroughtheprovisionofpreventive, early The practiceprovidesabroadrangeoflegalassistanceto Services: understand, protectandenforcethem. rights, that interestsandobligationshaveaccesstoservices or disadvantaged, areabletounderstandthelegalsystem, their To ensurethatour clients, particularlythosewhoarevulnerable Objective: Family LawPractice Our Officesand Principal Functions Law Courtsintheareasof: representing children’s bestinterestsintheFederal Family representing parentsinFederal and Territory courts; and Dispute Resolution; chairing andclientrepresentationinlawyerassistedFamily duty lawyer; free legaladviceclinics, community legaleducation; Family law practice staff practice law Family • • • • roles suchas: Several teammembersalsocontributeinavarietyofvolunteer & JuvenileJustice. initiativesandtheRoyal CommissionintoChildProtection reform and inthelast12monthshavemadesubmissionsonvariouslaw We continue tocontributeandshapepolicylawreform Policy, lawreform&legaleducation: domestic violencescreeningandappropriatereferrals. provides supporttovulnerableclients, aswellassistingwith This yearthepracticenowincludesasocialsupportworker, who of in-houselawyerssupportedbyparalegal/administrative staff. The in-housepracticeisacommittedandvibrantteamconsisting • • • The Northern The Northern Territory LawSocietyFamily Law Committee The CounciloftheNorthern Territory LawSociety Liaison Committee The LawCouncilof Australia Family LawSectionRegional Executive The Law Council of Australia’s Family Law Section’s domestic andfamilyviolence. child inneedofprotection; and support andparentagedeclarations); family law(parentingandproperty/financialdisputes; child (continued) northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 017 Legal task assistance is available to all Northern Territorians, Territorians, to all Northernassistance is available Legal task is to focus The Territory. the live in may of where they regardless vulnerabilities to progress resolution help individuals with certain Law Practice is also focused The Civil of their civil law problems. civil law assistance to vulnerable clients on providing increased serviceThe regional and rural areas of the NT. living in remote, has been very busy and has received many referrals from remote Alice and Creek Tennant Katherine, including areas, regional and Springs.. also provide civil advice clinics to clients The Civil Law Practice and Darwin areas and also conducts Palmerston in the Katherine, Law The Civil where appropriate. some grant of aid matters for all Practice also undertakes the duty lawyer representation at the Tribunal Review the Mental Health clients appearing before lawyer serviceThis duty Mental Health Inpatient Unit in Darwin. End Top in the provides representation and advice to all clients Inpatient Unit in who are involuntarily admitted to the Mental Health Management Darwin and those who are subject to a Community Order. to provide legal The Civil Law Practice has also continued Collaboration assistance through our Danila Dilba Health Justice experiencing as well as Project, Outreach Indigenous our and of the Justice exciting new developments such as the funding Early Project and the opening of the new Respondent Partnership Assistance Legal Service. Preparation or assistance with drafting documents. Writing a submission letter. do or not to Writing a letter to another party asking them to do something. ongoing Advocating on behalf of a client without taking carriage of a matter. Civil Law Practice Civil Law Objective: committed to increasing legal assistance The Civil Law Practice is civil law problems and ensuring to vulnerable clients experiencing access legal servicessuch clients are able to in available to them the Northern Territory. need for the establishment of a civil NTLAC has long identified the There are many vulnerable people law practice within its service. minor specialised civil law advice, in the community who require This financial in civil law matters. assistance and representation to receive an increase in funds available year we were fortunate under the to be expended against Commonwealth Law matters This Agreement on Legal Service Delivery. National Partnership a Following provided the opportunity to establish the practice. opened a new significant planning and set up phase NTLAC The service a focus on has Civil Law Practice in March 2016. to vulnerable providing legal task assistance (or minor assistance) people experiencing civil law problems. to four is limited aid, is not a grant of legal Legal task assistance a solicitor taking hours per civil matter and does not extend to or representative capacity. carriage of a matter in an ongoing, Services include: • • • • 018 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 learning environments.learning of legaleducationsessionsinbothstructuredandunstructured deceased estates. We havealsoundertakenabroadrange and victimsofcrime, throughtotenancy, consumerissuesand with a range of legal problems from domestic violence issues We have advisedandassistedmembersofthesecommunities living intheDarwinregion. and Palmerston has provided another point of access for those through alegalclinicatthe inDarwin Aboriginal Health Service raising activities. Inadditiontoourtravel, ourconsistentpresence us delivercombinedcommunitylegaleducationandawareness created opportunitiesforcrossreferralandhavealsohelped andtheNTOmbudsman.service These partnershipshave providers,service includingjointtripswithamoneymanagement we havebeenplanningouroutreachactivitiesalongsideother maintained aconsistenttravelschedule(atotalof34trips)and an outreachprogram. Throughout thepastyear, wehave people inselectedregionalandremoteareastheNTthrough todisadvantagedandvulnerableIndigenous legal services NTLAC’s CivilPracticeprovidesculturallysensitiveandaccessible Indigenous Outreach Our Officesand Principal Functions Outreach Community Visit Community Outreach end of2017. planning committee. The Projectisduetobecompletedbythe participate inthenationalHealthJustice Australia HJPConference contribute totheQueenslandandNTRegionalHJPNetwork, and practices andprocedures. The ProjecthasenabledNTLACto assistance. Itisdevelopingstrategies forintegratingservices, to betteridentifyandrefertargetedvulnerablepeopleforlegal adapt andcreateNTspecificresourcestoolsfornonlawyers disadvantaged groups. The Projectisexploringwaystoapply, to betweenlegal andnon-legalsupportservices delivery service settings to coordinatetargetedand effective community service justice partnerships(HJPs)thatplacelawyersinhealthcareand is contributing to growing evidence of best practice in health Programme ofthe Attorney-General’s Department. The Project from theInnovationFundofCommunityLegalServices (DDHS)toobtaingrantfunding with DanilaDilbaHealthService NTLAC drewonthesuccessofitsHealthJusticeCollaboration Justice PartnershipProject familiarise themselveswithhowtousethetoolkit. and have conducted training sessions to help organisations activities withthepurposeofraisingawarenessresource Darwin Aboriginal Communities. We have delivered a number of working with a community legal education resource for services In recentmonthswehavefinalisedtheCommunityLaw Toolkit, thearea. legal organisationsservicing A particular focus has been to collaboratively partner with other received positivefeedbackaboutourengagementintheregion. in delivery increase ourservice Tennant Creekandwehave Creek joinedourteam. This hasenabled us tosignificantly the area. InMarch2017, asolicitorwithexperiencein Tennant to vacant andthisimpactedonourabilitytodeliverlegalservices Until early2017, ouroutreachpositionin Tennant Creekremained (continued) northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 019 of all parties so as to reduce the likelihood of unintended of likelihood the reduce to as so parties all of intent; breaches without malicious breaches or the means to make decisions providing defendants with resolution the up speed to as so process court the in earlier of matters; issues the defendant has and identifying any other legal criminal Eg family lawyers, to make appropriate referrals. etc; lawyers, the DV incidents and then to make identifying the causes of as to have the defendant address appropriate referrals so and etc; anger, alcohol, such as drugs, the causes of DV, mental debt, identifying non-legal issues such as housing, and to assist the defendants (in particular vulnerable health, obtain appropriate assistance through to defendants), facilitated/warm referrals. Danila Dilba Health Clinic • • • • the servicethe courts, the by received well been has date, To and by victim legal servicesas the Domestic NT Police such matters appear to be Anecdotally, Violence Legal Service. made orders The consent. by often and quickly more resolving are There parties. are better tailored to the particular needs of the also regular adjournments to allow the defendants to participate programs in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and other appropriate and counselling. increasing the participation of defendants in DV proceedings; but in particular vulnerable ensuring that all defendants, orders; understand the defendants, reasonably as far as are made orders any that ensuring for the circumstances practical and appropriate possible, • • Danila Dilba Health Justice Collaboration Danila Dilba Aboriginal and and assistance to NTLAC provides legal advice Strait Islander people every week at DDHS clinics through Torres The collaboration Collaboration. an ongoing Health Justice has continued project in February 2016 and began as a pilot and successful outcomes achieved due to the positive feedback DDHS to NTLAC staff work closely with staff from for clients. identify when people with health needs better understand and that can be resolved with help from also have legal problems stress and improve their overall health NTLAC to alleviate their DDHS to continually NTLAC is working with and wellbeing. improve the service by formalising governance frameworks and operational guidelines. Respondent Early Assistance Legal Service ServiceLegal Assistance a is (“REALS”) Early Respondent The new legal service Civil Practice of the NTLAC. located within the The service since early March 2017. has been in operation duty lawyer serviceREALS provide a at the Local to defendants Violence list. Court at Darwin during the sittings of the Domestic serviceThe a week. days two legal advice clinics free runs also serviceREALS also provide an integrated social support with a at court and at counsellor from CatholicCare NT being present REALS assisting clients. is when the solicitor clinics legal advice Australian Government as part of the is an initiative funded by the Against Violence ‘National Plan to Reduce Action Plan of the Third and their Children’. Women the objectives of the REALS service the are to reduce Broadly, reduce DV recidivism and to reduce number of DVO breaches, takes, it appearances court of number the and takes it time the to resolve matters. see this as being achieved through: We • 020 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Our Officesand Principal Functions has beenafurtherincreaseof23%inapplicationsreceived of 8%inapplicationsreceivedcomparedwith2015/16. There Workload intheGrantsSectionhasincreasedwithanincrease • • • • • Objectives: Grants Section Program. Administer theFamily DisputeResolutionConferencing grants arerefusedandapplicantsappealdecision. Administer reviewandreconsiderationprocesswhere and Torres StraightIslanderLegalServices. Provide grantsofaidtoclientsreferredfromthe Aboriginal - - - Provide grantsofaidtoclientswithprivatesolicitorswhere: Provide grantsofaidtothein-houselegalpractice. NTLAC doesnothavecapacityin-house. NTLAC isconflicted; or practitioners; applications arereceiveddirectlyfromprivate Grants and Family Dispute Resolution Staff Resolution Dispute Family and Grants without representationandadvice. the supportofprivatepractitionersmanyclientswouldgo lawyers tocomplywithourprocessesandassistclients. Without like toacknowledgetheconsiderableeffortputinbyprivate withoutadequateremunerationandwewould often performed undertaking legal aid work. NTLAC of ourGuidelines and ourpanelagreement with practitioners of livingintheNTandwearecurrentlyundertakingareview NTLAC hasupdateditsmeanstesttoreflectchangesthecost referred totheprivatesector. 80% ofcrimefilesapproved. Theremainderofmatterswere files approvedthisyear, withtheCriminalLawPracticemanaging Our In-house Family Law Practice managed 52% of the family and efficientmanner. practices soreferralsarehandledinaconsistent, accountable Grants Sectionhavereviewedandstreamlinedour ATSIL referral increase from2013/2014. To managetheincreaseinreferrals, from ATSIL comparedwith2015/2016, services anda73% (continued) acknowledges that workis northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 021 from the client. The Helpline makes the call and discusses makes the call and The Helpline from the client. whether it is to the client, to provide assistance the best way by providing legal informationor an appointment to obtain legal advice. Community Legal Education (CLE) Community Legal Education Aid’s In 2016-17 NT Legal This sets CLE strategy. 3-year team updated the Commission’s to be used effectively to achieve priorities and enables resources of the involvement lead continued to team The goals. measurable a diverse range of education activities. the whole organisation in to access people’s improve order to in CLE undertakes NTLAC their rights and ways to prevent, and understanding of the law, turnin This build to seeks problems. legal solve and minimise improve legal system responses and community legal capability, thus improve social outcomes. from priority audiences for CLE are vulnerable people, NTLAC’s Not only potential legal across the NT. diverse backgrounds, to anyone in the NT education practice clients but we provide to information. who may be disadvantaged by limited access people have a higher risk of legal problems and meet Vulnerable The isolation. greater barriers to addressing these due to social key target groups for 2017-20 are young people, NTLAC’s diverse newly arrived or vulnerable culturally and linguistically remote communities not serviced by other (CALD) communities, groups. and other vulnerable organisations, and partners with NTLAC delivers CLE in our areas of expertise, A in other areas. other agencies to facilitate effective education get informationkey message is to ensure people know where to need it. and help about different legal issues when they Objective: Agreement provide services Partnership Pursuant to the National to understand and assert their legal rights to help empower people legal problems. or prevent, to address, and responsibilities and Referral Legal Information and Information and Referral NTLAC’s The Helpline operates under Strategy. assistance to people who have The Helpline provides confidential a legal or may be unsure whether they have a legal problem, The service operates during business hours. problem. staff and discuss Callers to the Helpline can speak with paralegal be referred to other helpful their problem and obtain information, make an appointment to obtain free if required, services and, serviceThe professional in engaging continually is advice. legal and developing on-line resources development training for staff, number of The informationto provide callers. to and assistance callers to the serviceexpand with 16,085 callers continues to increase an being provided with assistance during 2016-2017, of 4% from the previous year. providing NTLAC continues to partner with Supportlink, Referrals from assistance to people requiring legal assistance. the four major hospitals Supportlink come from the NT Police, receives referrals The Helpline Housing. Territory in the NT and people requiring from Supportlink and then initiates contact with The service takes the legal assistance and/or legal advice. servicespossible stress of initiating contact with legal away Early Intervention and Prevention Practice 022 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Program mayalsobeofbenefitincaseswherelitigationhas receive assistancetoresolvetheirdisputeatanearlystage. The The benefits of the program include the fact that separated parties Consent Orderwhichisthenfiledwiththecourt. ofaParentingAgreements canbeeitherintheform Planora children ineachparticularcase. In children’s mattersagreementsfocusonthebestinterests ofthe the processandalsoassistswithdraftingofagreements. assists byprovidingsupportandadvicetotheclientthroughout attends theconferencewiththeirlawyer. The legalpractitioner practitioners with mediation training. Each party to the dispute Family lawconferencesarechairedbyregisteredfamilydispute for bothchildrenandpropertysettlementissues. The Family LawConferenceProgramisavailabletoeligibleclients clients resolvetheirfamilylawdisputes. tohelpseparated NTLAC offersafamilydisputeresolutionservice Family DisputeResolution Our Officesand Principal Functions Palmerston Office Staff Office Palmerston a weeklylegaladviceclinicfromthesepremises. law matters. The Domestic alsoconducts Violence LegalService throughout theweektoassistclientswithcivil, criminalandfamily Aid Helplinecallcentre. Legaladviceclinicsareconducted the DarwinswitchboardandismainlocationforLegal The Palmerston of officeassistswithoperationandsupervision Palmerston Office partial agreement. when comparedto2016, with88%ofmattersachievingfullor increase of20%mattersconferencedinthisfinancialyear The ProgramnumbersareincreasingandNTLACachievedan be tailoredtotheneedsofeachindividualfamilycircumstance. more timelyandcosteffectivethanalitigatedoutcome, andcan toalitigateddecision.as analternative A negotiatedoutcomeis where itmayassistpartiestoconsideranegotiatedoutcome, commenced and the court proceedings have reached a stage (continued) northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 023 Tennant Creek Office Creek Tennant Creek office provides duty lawyer services and Tennant The Creek Tennant law matters at the legal representation in criminal in criminal law and civil legal advice sessions Free Courthouse. is provided Legal advice the office. law are conducted from other offices of the Commission by in family law matters from link. telephone or video conferencing activities including community legal The office conducts outreach issues that are relevant to the residents education programs on Creek and the Barkly Region. Tennant of Tennant visit Legal Service (‘CAWLS’) Women’s Australian Central into an MOU The Commission has entered Creek once a month. while office, Creek Tennant the in office an use to CAWLS with they are in town. Katherine Office Staff The Alice Springs office provides legal services in criminal, family office provides legal servicesAlice Springs in criminal, The Territory. and civil law in the southern region of the Northern Alice Springs Courthouse and provide free Lawyers attend the requiring advice and duty lawyer representation to persons are conducted free legal advice sessions In addition, assistance. is advice telephone and week per days three office the at provided to callers from remote areas. Alice Springs prison and hospital to Solicitors also attend at the provide advice and representation as required. Alice Springs Office Alice Springs Katherine Office Katherine Duty legal servicesThe Katherine office provides in criminal law. Lawyer servicescriminal law matters and legal representation in Courthouse and courts in the are provided at the Katherine are legal advice sessions in criminal law, Free region as required. is provided in Legal advice office. conducted from the Katherine from other offices of the Commission family and civil law matters link. by telephone or video conferencing 024 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Our StaffandDevelopment ...... Legal Secretary ...... Crime SectionSupervisor YouthJustice Worker...... Solicitors...... Senior Counsel...... Managing Solicitor...... Criminal LawPractice Darwin A/Deputy Director...... Deputy Director...... Personal Assistant...... Director...... Directorate As at30June2017thefollowingpersonswereemployed: Our Employees Christine Shantharam Mark Wright Haley Richardson Rebecca Naylor BA JDGDLP Katherine Patterson (Hons),GDLP Melissa ChenBA/LLB (Hons),GDLP Mark JehneBA/LLB Sheetal BalakrishnanBBus, LLB MA LLBGDLP Nicola MacCarronBA(Hons) (On Leavew/oPay) Thomas KayeBA, LLB, GDLP Chrissy McConnelLLB Ian ReadSC, LLBBEc BCom LLB Ambrith Abayasekara Barbara Lelli, CPA Leave) (On LongService Fiona Hussin, LLB (On Leavew/oPay) Jodie Bawden Bianca Aloisi Suzan CoxQC, BALLB, LLM

Administrative Support...... Legal Secretary Family SupportCase Worker...... Solicitors...... Managing Solicitor...... Family LawPractice ...... Solicitors...... Managing Solicitor...... Civil LawPractice Braedon Cunnington Sarah Carbone Chloe Coleman-Harty Pietrie Buekes Emily Smith(OnParental Leave) (On Leavew/oPay) Kristina Fuderer Bethwyn Lovell Kushbu MalhotraBALLBGDLP GDLP Daniella PrattBALLB(Hons) Aditi SrinivasLLB, GDLP, MJS (Dis), LLB, GDLP Maurice SgarbossaBA, BSW Anneleise HeyB.Sc/LLB (Hons) Sally BoltonBA, LLB(Hons) Jaquie Palavra DipLaw(SAB) (Hons), LLM Tori MarshalBA, LLB Shelley Alvarez BALLBMHRLP LLB, Mst Seranie GambleBSocSci, LLB(Hons), GDLP Alex Clunies-RossBBus, Alison HanleyBA, LLB northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 025 Helen Edney BA Lib&InfoSc ASA Randall Manoharan BSBA, Leeanne Morris BBus Karen Markos Amanda Bamford Jacinta Lacey Robert Goldsmith Dip IT Kanesha Elbar Jessica Hill Jasmine Woollard Elizabeth Gross LLB Wyatt BA LLB Claire Leave) (On Parental Emma Schluter ...... Library Services Library and Information Coordinator...... Corporate Services A/Finance Manager...... Human Resource Manager Administrative Support...... IT Systems Engineer...... Administrative Support...... Family Dispute Resolution Family SupervisingSolicitor...... Conference Coordinator: John Jablonka BA Gail Price Dorothy Fauls Sue Phoo LLB BSC Baylis Tina Ashton Messell Samantha Work Brown Tara Kellie Klonaris Alison Crouch BInstSt Alison Crouch LLB,GDLP Alexandra O’Donnell GDLP LLB/B.Com Kris Norrington LLB Asta Hill BIntSt LLB (Hons) LLM GDLP May Mooka Jacqueline MacDonald Lucia Vorrasi Gabriella Cameirao Lucy Murray Grants Section Supervising Solicitor...... Early Intervention and Prevention Services Community Legal Education Officer...... Multicultural Educator...... CLE Project Officer...... Grants Manager...... Administrative Support...... Outreach Solicitor...... Indigenous Community Liaison Officer...... Legal Secretary...... Administrative Support...... 026 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Our StaffandDevelopment ...... Solicitors...... Managing Solicitor...... Alice Springs ...... Administrative Support...... Managing Solicitor...... Tennant Creek ...... Legal Secretaries...... Solicitor...... Managing Solicitor...... Katherine ...... Helpline...... Legal Aid Administrative Support...... Referral Services and Manager -Information Palmerston Stephen KarpelesBSc Rennie Anderson BALLB (Hons), GradDipE) Russell GoldflamBABLEGS Lynnette Wilkinson-Thompson (On Parental Leave) Mickayla Giezendanner BDip,Kevin Banbury LLBG Grace Day-Hadley Cassie Lamb (Hons) GDLP Claire HockinBEcon, LLB Thomasin OpieBA, LLB Anthony McDevitt Mario Fitirikkos Monica SetteleDipLib Tech Melissa Kirstenfeldt Melinda Schroeder ...... Legal Secretary Safety & Wellbeing Coordinator...... Solicitors...... Managing Solicitor...... Domestic Violence LegalService Administrative Support...... Legal Secretaries...... (continued) Siobhan Wolsey Denise Oliver Melissa Crawford GDLP NMAS LLB Lindsay Allan-McConchie Esther NambiarBALLBGDLP Annabel Pengilley BALLB LLB (Hons) Renae Williams Kobie Dickson Wendy Vismans (On Leavew/oPay) Anne Coleman JD, GDLP Elanor Fenge BA(Hons), MSc, Alexandra Wright BALLB Fiona KepertLLB(Hon)

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 027

Adminstrative Male (Total = 18) Male (Total Professional Executive Female (Total = 80) (Total Female 0 50 40 30 20 10 Occupational Health and Safety safe working Employees are encouraged to adopt NTLAC encourages and promotes a healthy practices. work-life balance. Equal Employment Opportunity Equal Employment initiatives to ensure that employees of NTLAC has a range of opportunities. NTLAC have equal employment is as follows: Distribution of the sexes Resignations/Leave Without Without Resignations/Leave Pay employment. left the NTLAC’s During the year 12 people ”

indigenous Australians.

I cannot express how grateful I am I cannot express how grateful I am I hope at some point in my career I I hope at some point in my career the best part of my study/work in the the best part of my study/work in students and I spoke with pride about students and I spoke with pride about

of having the opportunity to work with of having the opportunity to work “ can further contribute to the work that can further contribute to the work the Outreach team at NTLAC offers to the Outreach team at NTLAC offers to a persons life is inspiring. I was on a to a persons life is inspiring. the work the Outreach team completes. the work the Outreach team completes. and the difference your team can make and the difference your team can law so far. The importance of your work The importance of your work law so far. panel speaking to around 350 first year panel speaking to around 350 first you at NTLAC. It has been without doubt, It has been without doubt, you at NTLAC.

Volunteers Legal Aid Act (NT) 1990 the NTLAC Under Section 8 of the to practitioners legal are not who persons encourage shall whilst capacity in a volunteer as far as is practicable, participate, During the year NTLAC hosted under professional supervision. 12 volunteers. volunteered with one of the law students who James Batrouney, had this to say: NTLAC, 028 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 SAO2 SAO1 ECO Staffing Levelsasat30thJune2017: Ranges Salary Our StaffandDevelopment AO7 AO6 AO5 AO4 AO3 AO2 EO3 EO2 EO1 SP2 SP1 P4 P3 P2 P1 0 2017 (Total = 98) 2016 (Total =85) 5 All legalofficersare onemploymentcontracts. P -ProfessionalGrades, Grades;AO -Administrative 10 SP -SeniorProfessional Grades(LegalOfficers). SAO -Senior Administrative Grades, (continued) 15 EOC-ExecutiveGrades; 20 25 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 029

CPD - The Fair Work Commission and Anti-bullying Jurisdiction Commission and Work The Fair CPD - Stuff Tough with the for Coping Tools Lawyer - The Mindful CPD - The Model Litigant Principal CPD - Addresses & Closing Advocacy - Opening Trial CPD - CPD - Understanding Pleadings of Stress CPD - Understanding the Neuroscience Violence Bench Book and Family CPD - Unpacking the Domestic for Lawyers Workshop Skills & Performance Voice CPD - Skills for Lawyers Winning Presentation CPD - Act & Practice Directions Justice Youth CPD - Criminal Lawyers NT Conference Training Dawn House - DFV Fundamentals Indigenous Workshop DV-Alert EASA - Dealing with Difficult Behaviours and Situations Training Framework Safety Family Workshop Awareness Insight in to Mental Health & Suicide Adobe InDesign and Photoshop Introduction to Law Society - Advocacy Workshop People Art of Conflict Resolution with Complicated Mastering the Mental Health and Suicide National CLCs Conference 2016 Course Awareness Ngukurr Language Centre - Kriol Training NTLAC - Cross Cultural NTLAC - How to plan CLE and presentations Training NTLAC- In-house Admin Officer with CALD Communities Working NTLAC - Assembly Parliamentary Education Services - Know your Publication Design Pathways Family Separation and Outcomes in Conflicted RA - Children’s of Prevention Aid & CPR Refresher Apply First Red Cross - Training Safe from the Start - Hearing the Untold Stories of Men Workshop Simon Santosha Aid First - Provide St John’s Law Conference 2107 - Family Top Start at the Government & NFP’s - FBT 2017: TaxEd Violence Abuse and its Relationships to Domestic and Family Facilitated Technology Safety Framework - Family Families Territory The Basics for Trauma: Toolbox (Basics) Trauma Box for Tool - Training Informed Trauma Training Vicarious Trauma for Lawyers Workshop and performance Skills Voice Winning presentation skills for Lawyers • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

of Justice CPD - Hot Issues in Debt and Consumer Finance Time Out of CPD - Hot off the Press: Advocacy for and with Children CPD - Kids in Court Effective CPD - Mental Health Breakfast Update CPD - NTCAT The Good the Bad and the ugly Scientist CPD - Questioning a Forensic CPD - Record Keeping and Practice Management Wills & Estates CPD - Risk Management Hot off the Press - Health and the law CPD - Sex, Evidence - Current Issues Tendency CPD - Prior Inconsistent Statements World Thing in the The Hardest CPD - Cross Examination- CPD - Current Issues in Charity and Not for Profit Law CPD - Effective Evidence in Chief CPD - Ethical Considerations in Mediation Discussion An Incandescent Journey a Criminal Lawyer for CPD - Evidence Illuminated - Miscarriage Potential or Truth An Instrument for Evidence - CPD - Forensic AASW Conference - Dust, Diversity & Dedication Diversity AASW Conference - Dust, Accidental Counsellor Australia Advance Care Planning AICD - Company Directors Course AIJA Indigenous Justice Conference Languages Across AIS - Communicating Justice Conference Youth Australian The 2nd AJJ - Violence Training Family AVERT CDU - Child Rights forum Administration Certificate III in Business Training Mental Health Youth Visitor Program - Community Congress Australia - CPA CPA A 2017 Australia - Q & CPA Biology Issues in Forensic Miscarriages of Justice: Avoiding CPD - CPD - Best Practice for Representing Children in Court CPD - Capacity to Instruct & Informed Consent in Legal Practice CPD - Civility & Professional Courtesy Witness Interviewing Session - Panel CPD - Client & CPD - Continuing Professional Development the most out of CPD - Cross Examination on Documents - How to get • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • During the year various members of the staff were involved of the staff were involved year various members During the nature of the programs The programs. in staff development courses. training and seminars, workshops, conferences, included The programs included Staff Development EOC - Executive Grades; - Senior Administrative Grades, SAO - Senior - Senior Professional Grades (Legal Officers). SP - Senior Professional Grades (Legal Officers). - Administrative Grades; AO - Administrative Grades; P - Professional Grades, All legal officers are on employment contracts. 030 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 • • • To supportthisoutward facingwork, NTLACworksto: internally 4. 3. 2. 1. strategies: following keyexternal NTLAC’s CLEstrategywasupdatedfor2017-20withthe byothers.serviced prioritize youth, providersandremotecommunitiesnot service strategy, hascoordinatedarangeofinnovativeactivitiesthat The CommunityLegalEducation(CLE)team, inlinewithNTLAC’s Community Legal EducationActivities

base forCLE; promote acultureofevaluationtobuildbroaderevidence develop andapplyclear, consistentguidelinesforCLE; continue strengtheningtheCLEcapabilitiesofallstaff; including usingdigitaltoolstowidenaccess. accessible, highquality, currentmaterialsinflexibleformats Produce, distributeandpromotewidelyarangeof capacity. sessions for community members to build community issues and skills, including CLE methods and education providersaboutarangeoflegal Conduct trainingforservice appropriately. Identify gapsandworkcollaborativelywithotherstorespond are relevant, current, andwellknown. Engage withcommunitiestoensureeducationprograms Combined Legal Services CLE CLE Services Legal Combined stall at Barunga Festival Barunga at stall education andtraining, publicationsandmaterials. of: community engagement, collaborative work, of delivery The highlightsof2016-17areoutlinedunderthefourkeyareas • • (Sydney University). to SallyFisher(ANU), Adam Khadra(ANU)andSarahJamieson and benefitfromtheircontributions throughouttheyear. Thanks The CLEteamwasalsoabletoshare skillswithstudentinterns network capacitydevelopment. andaninteractive session on on plainlanguagelegalinformation Legal Centre’s annualconferenceinFremantle in August 2016 NTLAC staff presented at the National Association of Community throughprintflyersaswellonlineplatforms.information events suchastheSupremeCourtOpendayanddistributing stallsatcommunity central strategiesalongwithinformation Face-to-face andcommunitiesremain outreachtoservices in June. raise NTLAC’s profileatthe World RefugeeDaymusic festival and youthdetention. An interactiveworldmapstallhelped totheNTRoyalCommissionintochildprotection tell theirstory to outreachCALDcommunitiessupportpeoplewishing Other activitiesincludedassistingtheCICAYDAS legalservice to migrant English classes and other community settings.service and referral project continued its regular outreach information The CulturallyandLinguisticallyDiverseCommunities(CALD) ensure ourCLEreallyisanNT-wide program. The roadshowhelpedtopromotematerialsandpublications with colleaguesfromotherlocallegalandcommunityservices. initiatives. The teamjointlyreviewed, plannedanddeliveredCLE understand communityneedsandprovidedirectsupportforlocal and Alice Springs. This eventenablestheCLEteamtobetter visiting NTLAC’s officesandpartnersinKatherine, Tennant Creek The secondannualCLERoadshowhittheroadinJune2017 Community engagement strategically manageandshareknowledgewithothers. consolidate thegrowthofpast3years; and

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 031 1569 1024 16645 35489 32712 10692 21684 10251 and NTLAC’s Australia and Arrivals and NTLAC’s Australian Law for New CLE Toolkit Launch Snapshot of information 2016-17 and publications Website Visitors Website total page likes Facebook post reach Facebook

YouTube views YouTube minutes watched YouTube Publications distributed (hard copies) Publications viewed online Materials provided by Helpline Sessions were also presented to Are the Laws? Sessions were also presented What My Family, support services. community groups and holiday youth delivered innovative Our youth and CALD educator on democracy and governanceprograms to refugee youth and courts and justice. to adult migrant English classes at Charles Darwin University’s Charles Darwin University’s English classes at to adult migrant Alice and to Palmerston as well as visits Casuarina campus Australian understand These sessions help new arrivals to Springs. the What’s Aid’s using resources such as National Legal law, Law? Output Statistics Training and education delivery Training The CALD project delivered a total of 58 education sessions to migrant groups during the year including monthly presentations Collaborative work Collaborative legal education sessions wherever The CALD project delivered with other agencies with a focus on possible in collaboration in particular such as the Darwin specific areas of law expertise the and ASIC, centre, working women’s community legal service, legal services. women’s 130 over with Network, CLE NT-wide the convenes NTLAC The services. other and legal 30 than more from members to share informationnetwork meets monthly and it also shares online an informationgroups, google through resources and twitter page, a Facebook activities, shared calendar of CLE of film resources as well as the channel YouTube account and a . Law Info NT website. - is a plain language legal Law Info NT - www.lawinfont.org.au information website developed as a project of the NT CLE from network overseen by a steering group with representatives and NAAJA. CAWLS DCLS, ACCC, the NTLAC, attracts workshop development professional CLE NT annual The is organised by a a range of participants from diverse sectors and services. committee made up of staff from a range of legal Law NT run the and host jointly NTLAC and DCLS Austlii, private firms Over 70 contributors from Government, Handbook. and legal services contribute to the content of this resource. together on youth Melaleuca Refugee Centre and NTLAC worked holiday activities involving fun ways to learn about rights and law in Australia. launched in 2017 for Darwin Toolkit, The Community Law Aboriginal leadership by an was guided Aboriginal communities, service providers advisory group comprising community elders, This ensured the process and content and community members. of the kit is culturally appropriate and relevant. 032 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 • • Publications andmaterials the courts. participated inapublicmocktrialheldduringlawweekat like Cop This &GoingtoCourt. InKatherine, thestudentsthen simulation withpolice, legalaidandcourts, basedonpublications High, aboutcriminaljusticethrough ahalf-day wholearned of MarraraChristianCollege, DarwinHighSchoolandKatherine The national Parliamentary Educators Conferencein August 2016. how toengagewithCALDaudiencesdelivereducationatthe NTLAC co-presentedasessionwiththeMulticulturalCouncilon Community Legal EducationActivities Judgment Dayschoolsprogramwasdeliveredforstudents development andupdatinginternally. publications moresustainablybydoingofthedesign, materials. This hasgraduallyenabledNTLACtomanageour and establishingclearprocedurestoensurequality developing standard templates for factsheets and brochures project thatincludedtraining in theuseof design software, During theyearteamcontinuedpublications Rental basics, Superannuation, andDomestic Violence. commonly requestedtopics: IntrotoLaw, Scams, Fines, onthemost package ofstandardCLEmaterialsfordelivery to strengthentheirteam’s CLEcapabilitiesanddevelopa The Indigenous Outreach team worked with our CLE team CLE students holiday program holiday students CLE

• • • The • The NT Law Handbook in its innovative online wiki platform • • these, online. as morepeopleaccessinformation during theyear. There isalesserbutcontinuingdemandfor NTLAC distributedover12000hardcopypublications breaches andcourtappearances. Two areasoflawthatresultinhighnumbersavoidable community understandBailandDomestic Violence Orders. developing innovativevisualeducationmaterialstohelpthe (NT) throughtoKununurra(WA) region. The projectis workingintheKatherine initiative involving8legalservices Blurred Bordersisa2year(2016-18)cross-borderCLE Society PublicPurposes Trust. training workshops. This projectwasfundedbytheLaw published inearly2017androlledoutthroughaseriesof designed withandforDarwin Aboriginal communities was with afunctionhostedatNTLAC wascelebratedinMay2017 and the1yearanniversary received over18000hitsinitsfirstyearofbeingavailable an NT-wide audienceinDecember2016. websitefor theNTstageandlaunchedto legal information NT CLEnetwork, hostedbyNTLAC, asaplainlanguage LawInfoNT (www.lawinfornt.org.au) was developed by the of printpublications. resources both online and the ongoingreview and update created intheCLEteamtomanagelegalinformation Coordinator-was A newposition–LegalInformation Community Law ToolkitCommunity containing education materials . (continued)

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 033

the REALS lawyer and also met with the REALS social support the REALS social support lawyer and also met with the REALS that he attend Bob proposed receiving advice, After person. CatholicCare’s Violence perpetrator counselling with Domestic It was proposed that the counsellor. specialist domestic violence a non-harmDVO be downgraded to order to allow the parties to that Bob attend counselling and live together on the condition counselling If Bob failed to attend same. provide evidence of the upgraded to a full non-contact order then the order would be and course this with agreed court the and Police NT Sue, again. the matter was adjourned to allow the counselling for 2 months to take place. person arranged for the counselling The REALS social support When proposed counselling. Bob did attend the to take place. both parties the matter was mentioned again after two months, and that their reported that there had been no further incidents The interim non-harm order relationship had never been better. was then confirmed for a period of 10 months. Case Study - The Community We Serve We The Community Study - Case The following serviceThe following the by NTLAC through was provided Legal ServiceAssistance (REALS). Early Respondent 10 about for relationship facto de a in been have Sue and Bob of incidents reported no been had there recently Until years. the parties and no police attendances domestic violence between at their home. the police were called to attend an incident April 2017 In late that they had Sue reported to the police at the parties’ home. The Sue. pushing Bob with physical got that argument verbal a and issued him with a police DVO police took Bob into custody in any further domestic violence restraining him from engaging towards Sue. another attend to called again were police the day following The Sue had been injured domestic incident between the parties. The parties. during another physical altercation between the who agreed to police made an application to an on-call Judge Bob was restrained upgrade the DVO to a full non-contact DVO. from returning to the family home. later the parties attended court and Bob approached days Two approached the the REALS duty lawyer for assistance and Sue Both parties Violence Legal Service for assistance. Domestic were opposed to wanted to continue their relationship and both any orders that prevented them from living together. to amended were orders the matter, the of mention first the At the telephone allow the parties to have communication over The matter was otherwise adjourned for a week to allow only. and to make the parties to get comprehensive legal advice representations to NT Police. Bob attended a REALS legal advice clinic that The following week, Bob received legal advice from is held at CatholicCare offices. 034 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 as a survivor ofdomesticviolenceandalsoherworkas an as asurvivor Rosie Batty, presenttothenetworkonherpersonalexperiences the Year (2015)andtireless Domestic Violence Campaigner, Ms In 2016, The Networkwasfortunateenoughtohave Australian of Network information, trainingeventsandpublications. updated regularly. The website also includes the Newsletter, and list of Programs for Families, directory a service and is The Networkhascontinuedtodevelopitswebsitewhichincludes training, events, policiesandprocedures. across the Top EndoftheNTaboutarangeprograms, services, via Newsletter, toNetwork members sectorrelevantinformation working in the broader family law sector. The Network distributes providers The Networkfacilitatesregularmeetingsofservice • • Two measuresto achievetheNetwork’s objectiveare: separating families. collaboration and improve overall assistance to separated and operate as part of, or alongside, the family law system, to enhance objective istofosterstronglinkswithlocallybasedproviderswho funding comesunderafouryearagreement. The Network’s Top EndFamily LawPathways Network. For thefirsttime, this Attorney-General’s Department as the Auspice Agency for the NTLAC againreceivedfundingfromtheCommonwealth Top EndFamily Law Pathways Network Conducting cross-sectoraltraining Promoting awarenessofservices Pathways Network training training Network Pathways with Rosie Batty (middle) Batty Rosie with Aboriginal community membersandthelaw. providers tobetter educateandimprovethework we dowith training workshoptoallthefamily law andcommunityservice Aboriginal Communities. Together, weare hopingtoprovidea workingwithDarwin is alegaleducationresourceforservices the teamthatproduced The Community Law Toolkit. The Toolkit The Pathways Network isexcitedaboutworkingcloselywith legal domainoffamilylawanddomesticrelations. Psychology Consulting, with over 30 years of experience in the in September2017. DrSimon, isaNationalLeaderinForensic deliver training to the network and wider family law community The NetworklooksforwardtobringingMrRobertSimonPh.D the differentprofessionalrolesandtheirfunctions. collaboration throughgreaterunderstandingandrecognitionof focused onastrengtheningcapacityformultidisciplinary involved.responses to promote safety for everyone The training understating offamilyviolence, itsimpactandappropriate system and aimed to provide them with a sound and practical training wasaimedatworkersalllevelswithinthefamilylaw the AVERTNetwork.Family ViolenceTraining TheAVERTthe to Training fromthe Australian InstituteofSocialRelationsdelivered In February 2017, Iain Henderson, Manager of Education and divorce andco-parenting. differences impactonmenwhoaredealingwithseparation, and howmasculine socialisation, attachment, trauma and gender explored thecomplexitiesofmaleinterpersonalrelationships issues, separation, divorceandco-parenting. The workshop experience workingwithmenandfamiliesdealingrelationship Clinical Social Worker and Counsellor with more than 17 years and Working withSeparatedFathers” toDarwin. Simonisa to presenton “Hearing theUntoldStoriesofMen: Engaging Managing DirectorofMen&Family CounsellingandConsultancy In September2016, theNetworkbroughtMrSimonSantosha, providers.network amongthedifferentservice and inspiringstories. This providedareallygreatopportunityto enough tobeableusetheopportunitysharepersonal providersattendthetrainingandwereprivileged range ofservice Ambassador forthe ‘Luke BattyFoundation’. We hadalarge northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 035 Other information Financial Statistical Policies Manuals Administration Law Reform Personal Personal information Client Personnel

NTLAC Guidelines and Scale of Costs NTCLAF Guidelines Community Legal Education Booklets (various topics) (various topics) Pamphlets Annual Reports Publications information Publications are available upon request free of charge. Access to information other than personal information or published information must be made on the appropriate application form obtainable from and returnable to: The following informationThe following by is held the Commission:

The Information Officer Legal Aid Northern Territory Commission Darwin 9-11 Cavenagh Street, 6th Floor, 0801 Darwin NT Locked Bag 11, Postal: 1800 019 343 Phone: (08) 8999 3099 Fax: of identity (eg. Applications must be accompanied by proof facilitate the identity check, To Drivers’ Licence etc). Passport, Commission’s applications may be lodged in person at any of the Application form forwarded to the Information will be The offices. if the local office is unable to assist. Officer in Darwin, Information Act 2003 (NT) 2003 Act Information 036 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 15 oftheFinancialStatements. facsimile charges. The financialpositionofCLAFappearsinNote office expenses such as photocopying, telephone charges or not payforsolicitors’orbarristers’professionalcostsgeneral expenses andexpertwitnessCourtattendancefees. CLAFdoes as stampduty, fees, service expertwitnessreports, travelling incurred duringthecourseoflitigationincludingsuchitems disbursements andoutofpocketexpensesthatarenecessarily assistance is availablefromCLAFtocoverthereasonable cost of to enablethembringordefendcivilproceedings. Financial CLAF isavailabletoprovidefinancialassistanceeligiblepersons Society PublicPurposes Trust. 1 March1993withaseedinggrantof$200,000fromtheLaw under theContingencyLegal Aid Fund. To whetherornottograntapplicationsforassistance determine Committee’s Role Contingency Legal Aid Fund Committee established inaccordancewithsection44ofthe The Northern Territory ContingencyLegal Aid Fund(CLAF)was Fund Legal Aid TerritoryNorthern Contingency Our Committees Legal Aid Act Aid Legal on Deputy Director Director Membership oftheCommittee Statistical Information A Messell Commission Appointees: P. Cheong E. Terrill D. McConnell C. Spurr Law SocietyNominees: To beDecided Refused Withdrawn Applications The demandsonthefundhavebeen: Received Approved 12/13 28 21 0 1 6 J. Stirk G.McMaster M. Spazzapan J. Stewart 13/14 12 9 0 2 1 14/15 12 10 0 0 2 15/16 17 12 2 1 3 16/17 22 16 1 3 2 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 037 J. Palavra J. McConnel C. Srininvas A. Clunie-Ross A. Patterson K. Alvarez S. Wright A. Ingles C. Pratt D. A. Abayasekara A. MacCarron N. Scholz L. Crouch A. Chen M. Norrington K. Anderson R. Kepert F. Scattini N. Messell A.

I. Read SC I. Phoo S. Bolton S. Sgarbossa M. Karpeles S. Marshall T. R. Goldflam Opie T. Hockin C. O’Donnell A. Officer of the Commission: Officer of the Cox QC S. Hussin F. Hey A. Balakrishnan S. Hanley A. Jehne M. Gamble S. Banbury K. Fenge E. Malhortra K. Secretary to Committee: , persons , C. Spurr C. Franz J. Terrill E. Kelly D. Act

M. Hubber M. Marris T. Maley P. McDonald G. Sharp J. . Under section 35 of the .

P. Cheong P. Lawford R. Adams J. R. Morley P.Timney Morton W. Legal Aid Act who feel they have been adversely affected by decisions taken on affected by decisions taken on adversely who feel they have been aid may seek reconsideration or review their application for legal of those decisions. Review Committee met on 9 occasions During 2016-2017 the was deliberations their of outcome The requests. client 9 view to and 0 varied in favour of the applicant, that 4 decisions were decisions pending. Independent person with relevant experience: B. Pipe B. Johnson M. O’Loughlin B. Tregear P. Perry C. Collins P. Membership of the Committee 2016 -17) Year during the Financial (Members Participating Private Legal Practitioner: To review decisions referred to the Committee under section review decisions referred To 35(3) of the Review Committee Review Role Committee’s 038 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Output Statistics solicitor andofficecoordinator. until September 2016, staff comprised the managing solicitor, for protectedpersonsinPolice domesticviolenceorders. Up also providedlegaladvice, courtrepresentationandreferrals making privateapplicationsfordomesticviolenceorders, DVLS violence intheDarwinGreaterRegion. As wellasassistingvictims tovictimsandpeopleatriskofdomesticfamily services DVLS isfundedtoprovidespecialiseddomesticviolencelegal the Commission’s clientdatabase. conflicts DVLSmaintainsitsownclientdatabaseindependentof bytheDeputyDirectorofNTLACasrequired.supervision To avoid DVLS ManagingSolicitorisprovidedwithguidance, supportand further 3-yearfundingprovidedbythe Territory in2013. The independent Domestic (DVLS),Violence Legal Service with a NTLAC tooperate, outsideofitsfamilylawpractice, aseparate Since April 2009theNorthern Territory hasfunded Government Domestic ViolenceLegal Service Applications for Aid:Applications Total provided services Summary of major activities major of Summary Duty LawyerServices Sessions Legal Advice Free Approved Received Refused 11/13 532 152 556 148 4 13/14 371 115 621 114 1 14/15 267 189 611 189 0 15/16 268 224 681 224 0 16/17 298 715 237 239 2 to meettheirindividualsafetyandwellbeingneeds. assistance withtransport, foodandchildcare otherservices Police and Territory Families and practical supports such as counselling, in-depth safety planning, advocacy with Housing, now providetovictims. Through theSWC, clientsofDVLSreceive andsupportswecan dramatic impactonthebreadthofservices time non-legalpositionwithinDVLS. The SWCrolehashada to engageaSafetyand Wellbeing Coordinator(‘SWC’), afull- In November2016, DVLSreceivedCommonwealthfunding attheDarwinLocalCourt.enhanced dutyservice allowed ustoreducewaittimesforappointmentsandprovidean a secondsolicitorandpart-timeadministrativeofficer. This services. With theadditionalfunding, DVLSwas abletoemploy Northern Territory tomeetthehighdemandforits Government In 2016-2017DVLSreceivedadditionalfundingfromthe northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 039 2016 /2017 Financials 040 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Financials Financials northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 041 44 45 46 47 48 49-68 42-43 ......

Statement by Directors Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income or Loss and Other Comprehensive Statement of Profit Position Statement of Financial Statement of Cash Flows Statement of Changes In Equity Notes to the Financial Statements

Auditor General’s Report Auditor General’s General Purpose Financial Statements Financial Purpose General 042 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Financials northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 043 044 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Statement byDirectors Signed inDarwinthis (c) (b) (a) In theopinionofDirectorsNorthern Territory Legal Aid Commission: Director Suzan CoxQC misleading orinaccurate. at thetimeofsigning, wearenotawareofanycircumstances thatwouldrendertheparticularsincludedinfinancialstatements they becomedueandpayable; and at thedateofthisstatementtherearereasonablegroundstobelievethatCommissionwillbeablepayitsdebtsasandwhen professionalreportingrequirements; mandatory as at30June2017, fortheyearendedonthatdateinaccordancewith anditsperformance Accounting Standardsandother the accompanyinggeneralpurposefinancialstatementsofCommissionpresentfairlyCommission’s financialposition 22nd dayofSeptember2017.

Deputy Director Fiona Hussin Financials northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 045

0 258,429 258,429 (107,652) (7,697,820) (1,967,964) (1,237,665) (1,446,518) 12,716,048

(12,457,619)

$ $ 2016 2017 997,095 221,932 (171,221) 1,219,027 (8,797,858) (2,766,604) (1,467,911) (1,386,582) 15,587,271 (14,590,176)

3 8 2 Notes

Net income for the period Legal Expense Administration Expense Other Expenses Expenses Total Salaries and Employee Benefits Expense Salaries and Employee Depreciation Expense Total comprehensive income for the period comprehensive Total Other comprehensive income Revaluation of property plant and equipment

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period as attributable to the owner. Total with the notes to the financial statements. The Statement of Profit or Loss and other Comprehensive Income is to be read in conjunction Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Revenue For The Year Ended 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For Statement of Profit or Loss and other Loss and or Profit of Statement 046 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 The Statementof Financial Position isto bereadinconjunctionwiththenotes tothefinancialstatements. As at30June2017 Statement ofFinancial Position Reserves TOTAL LIABILITIES TOTAL NON-CURRENTLIABILITIES Provisions TOTALCURRENT ASSETS Other assets Investments TOTAL EQUITY Retained Earnings Equity NET ASSETS Provisions Non-Current Liabilities TOTAL CURRENTLIABILITIES Trade andotherpayables Current Liabilities TOTAL ASSETS TOTALNON-CURRENT ASSETS Property, plantandequipment Non-Current Assets Trade receivables Cash andcashequivalents Current Assets Notes 16 10 17 10 7 6 9 8 5 4 3,620,364 3,189,655 3,620,364 1,993,074 1,681,728 1,513,685 5,613,438 1,169,534 1,169,534 4,443,904 3,565,830 430,709 311,346 311,346 168,043 199,912 500,000 178,162 2017 $ 1,440,287 1,081,538 1,500,000 2,401,337 2,130,126 2,401,337 1,824,389 1,266,203 4,225,726 1,081,538 3,144,188 1,187,253 271,211 384,102 384,102 174,084 176,264 280,671 2016

$ Financials northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 047 $ 2016 110,138 202,137 115,767 (216,437) 2,293,552 1,187,253 (1,000,000) (1,106,299) (1,216,437) 12,224,258 (12,432,024) $ 2017 (37,285) 473,721 125,358 962,715 1,415,862 1,000,000 2,378,577 1,187,253 3,565,830 15,089,513 (14,272,730) 4 Notes 11113

NET CASH FLOWS FROM/(USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES IN) OPERATING NET CASH FLOWS FROM/(USED Net (Receipts)/Payments for investments Net (Receipts)/Payments Cash Payments in the course of operations Cash Payments Cash Flows from Investing Activities Cash Flows from Investing plant and equipment for property, Payments ACTIVITIES NET CASH FLOWS (USED FROM)/IN INVESTING period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the THE PERIOD THE END OF AT AND CASH EQUIVALENTS CASH Interest received in the course of operations Interest received in the course of operations Grants received in the course Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash Flows from Operating Activities Cash Flows from Operating of operations Cash Receipts in the course

The Statement of Cash Flows should be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements. Statement of Cash Flows of Statement For The Year Ended 30 June 2017 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For Financials 048 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 For The Year Ended30June2017 Statement ofChangesinEquity The Statementof Changes inEquityshouldberead conjunctionwiththenotestofinancial statements. Other comprehensiveincome Profit fortheyear Other comprehensiveincome Profit fortheyear Transfer to/from reserves Transaction asowners: withownersintheircapacity Total comprehensive income Balance at30June2017 Balance at30June2016 Balance at30June2015 Transfer to/from reserves Transaction asowners: withownersintheircapacity Total comprehensive income 16 &17 16 &17 Notes 3,189,655 2,130,126 1,066,880 1,063,246 221,932 837,597 221,932 Reserves 0 0 0 $ 0 (1,063,246) 1,076,028 (837,597) 997,095 258,429 997,095 430,709 271,211 258,429 Retained Earnings 0 0 $ 3,620,364 2,401,337 2,142,908 1,219,027 997,095 258,429 221,932 258,429 Total

0 0 $ 0 Financials northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 049

expected net cash flows have been discounted to their discounted to their cash flows have been expected net present value. comparative information has been Where necessary, (iii) consistency in disclosure with current reclassified to achieve and other disclosures. financial year amounts Australian dollars and in The financial report is presented (iv) the nearest dollar. all values are rounded to Standards and Interpretations affecting amounts, presentation affecting amounts, Standards and Interpretations in the current period. and disclosure reported revised accounting standards and The following new and for the first time in 2016-17: interpretations were effective AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures sector for the first time in This standard applies to not-for-profit disclosures about The accounting standard requires 2016-17. with transactions personnel, management key of remuneration the and relationships between parent and controlled related parties, disclosures will include the any such transactions, For entities. as well as information nature of the related party relationship, any about those transactions’ terms/conditions and amounts, outstanding receivables/payables, guarantees given/received, where collection has been and any receivables commitments, assessed as being doubtful. AASB interpretations have Several other amending standards and but are periods, been issued that apply to the current reporting reporting. considered to have no impact on public sector the statements, At the date of authorisation of the financial are but issue in were interpretations and standards following impact on not yet effective and are expected to have a potential future reporting periods: AASB 16 Leases AASB 16 Leases is effective for annual reporting periods January1 after or on beginning in reported be will and 2019 When these financial statements for the first time in 2019-20. 117 Leases AASB supersede it will effective is the standard Legal Aid Act Aid Legal 1990.

Accounting Policies (i) The accounts, except for the cash flow information, except for the cash flow information, The accounts, (i) accounting have been prepared using the accrual basis of the going applying the historical cost convention and The Commission will continually concernassumption. serviceof levels monitor and operations, its review increased service it operate within its demands to enable funding parameters. (ii) Cost in relation to assets represents the amount incurred or the fair value of the asset given in exchange adjusted to recoverable amount where determining In the amount recoverable necessary. The financial report is a general purpose financial report which The financial report is a general purpose financial requirements of has been prepared in accordance with the Australian by the Accounting Standards issued Australian reporting period. Accounting Standards Board that apply for the of this report are The accounting policies used in the preparation below: consistent with previous years and are described The Commission had 98 employees as at 30 June 2017 had 98 employees The Commission (2016 – 85 employees). c) Basis of accounting b) Number of Employees a) Principal place of Business a) Principal place its principal place of business at Level 6, The Commission holds Darwin. 9-11 Cavenagh Street, The Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission (the “Commission”) “Commission”) Aid Commission (the Legal Territory The Northern the by 1990 June 11 on established was 1. Summary Of Significant 1. is to provide legal assistance The function of the Commission commenced its The Commission Act. in accordance with this considered a not- The Commission is activities on 1 July 1990. entity for financial reporting purposes. for-profit

Notes to the Financial Statements Financial to the Notes 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For 050 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 associated performance obligation to provide goods or services obligationtoprovidegoodsorservices associated performance revenue fromgrantsanddonations will berecognisedwhenany Under thenew AASB 1058IncomeforNot-for-Profit Entities, in 2019-20. will bereportedinthesefinancialstatementsforthefirsttime 2019and reporting periodsbeginningonorafter1January Revenue withContractsCustomersareeffectiveforannual AASB 1058IncomeforNot-for-Profit Entitiesand AASB15 Revenue fromcontractswithcustomers AASB 1058Incomefornot-for-profitentitiesand15 this time. relating totheleaseliability. These cannotbequantifiedat expense relatingtotherightuseassetandinterest the operatingleaseexpensewillbereplacedwithadepreciation with AASB 16Leases. Inthecomprehensiveincomestatement corresponding righttouseassetfrom2019-20inaccordance recognised inthebalancesheetthroughaleaseliabilityand million inoperatingleasecommitmentswillberequiredto Consequently, itisexpectedthatapproximately $1,747,199 where appropriate. income either on a straight-line basis or another systematic basis lease. Leasereceiptsfromoperatingleasesarerecognisedas lessor recognises a receivable equal to thenet investment inthe distinction remainslargelyunchanged. For financeleases, the lease liability. While forlessors, thefinanceandoperatinglease to theright-to-useassetandinterestexpenserelating instead adepreciationexpensewillberecognisedrelating Statement willnolongerreportoperatingleaserentalpayments, underlying assetsareoflowvalue. The ComprehensiveOperating of morethan12months,for allleaseswithaterm unlessthe come ontothebalancesheettogetherwithaleaseliability For lesseeswithoperatingleases, aright-of-useassetwillnow balance sheet. and requiresthemajorityofleasestoberecognisedon

disclosure related. from the application of these standards as theyare primarily It isexpectedthattherewillbe no materialfinancialimpact considered tohavelimitedimpactonfuturefinancialreporting. have beenissuedthatapplytofuturereportingperiods, butare Several otheramendingstandardsand AASB interpretations • • • • identified include: While thefullimpactsareyettobedetermined, potential impacts with AASB 15RevenuefromContractswithCustomers. requirements thatapplytonot-for-profit entitiesinconjunction AASB 1058clarifiesandsimplifiesincome-recognition sheet afteradoptionofthisstandard. Consequently, moreliabilitieswillberecognisedinthebalance is satisfied, andnotimmediatelyuponreceiptascurrentlyoccurs. revenue assoontheyarecontrolled. will notqualifyfordeferral, andcontinuetoberecognisedas Grants thatarenotenforceableand/orsufficientlyspecific obligation. to createaperformance time restrictionontheuseoffundsisnotsufficientlyspecific expenditure willalsocontinuetoberecognisedonreceiptas obligationsbut have restrictionsonthetimingof performance Grants thathaveanenforceableagreementbutnospecific on receipt. satisfied. Atpresent, suchgrantsarerecognised asrevenue obligationsare progressively astheassociatedperformance obligationswill berecognisedasrevenue performance Grants withanenforceableagreementandsufficientlyspecific revenue onreceipt. are satisfied. Atpresent, suchgrantsare recognisedas obligationsunderthegrant as revenuetheperformance will berecognisedasaliability, andsubsequentlyrecognised Grants receivedtoconstructoracquireanon-financialasset

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 051

g) Financial Liabilities ‘at fair Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities Financial ‘other financial liabilities.’ value through profit or loss’ or ‘trade date’. liabilities are recognised and derecognised upon yield basis. Loans and receivables or fixed have that receivables other and loans receivables, Trade determinablenot quoted in an active market payments that are in included are They receivables’. and ‘loans as classified are except for maturities greater than 12 months current assets, These are classified as non current after the balance sheet date. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost assets. Interest using the effective interest method less impairment. rate to the is recognised by applying the effective interest relevant balances. Impairment of financial assets Financial assets are assessed for impairment at each balance date. is objective Financial assets held at amortised cost - If there evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred for loans held at amortised and receivables or held to maturity investments difference the amount of the loss is measured as the cost, carryingpresent value of between the asset’s amount and the original asset’s estimated future cash flows discounted at the The carryingreduced by way of amount is effective interest rate. The loss is recognised in the Statement an allowance account. of Profit or Loss and other Comprehensive Income. Held-to-maturity investments Held-to-maturity assets with fixed or determinableNon-derivative financial maturity dates that the Commission has payments and fixed ability to hold to maturity are classified the positive intent and Held-to-maturity investments as held-to-maturity investments. interest effective the using cost amortised recorded at are on an effective with revenue recognised method less impairment,

- ‘financial assets at fair value through profit or loss’; - and ‘held-to-maturity investments’; - ‘loans and receivables’. - ‘trade date’. Effective interest method calculating the The effective interest method is a method of allocating interest amortised cost of a financial asset and of The effective interest rate is the income over the relevant period. receipts through rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash a appropriate, where or, asset, financial of the life expected the effective interest recognised on an Income is shorter period. rate basis. or loss Financial assets at fair value through profit are included in the Financial assets classified as held for trading loss”. or profit through value fair at assets “financial category These are classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling in the near term making with the intention of Gains or losses on financial assets held for trading are a profit. classified are assets related the and or loss profit in recognised as current assets in the balance sheet. f) Financial Assets f) Financial its financial assets in the following The Commission classifies categories: purpose of the The classification depends on the nature and financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition. upon Financial assets are recognised and derecognised e) Cash cash includes of Cash Flows, the purposes of the Statement For and money market investments banks, cash on hand and in within two working days. readily convertible to cash

d) Government and grants appropriation Governmentgrants are recognised in the appropriation and All revenue at the time of their receipt. Statement of Profit or Loss (GST). Tax of Goods and Servicesis stated net of the amount

Notes to the Financial Statements Financial to the Notes 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For 052 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 settlement isgreaterthanremote. not virtually certain and contingent liabilities are disclosed when Contingent assetsaredisclosedwhensettlementisprobablebut in respectofwhichtheamountcannotbereliablymeasured. existence of an asset or liability or represent an asset or liability schedules andnotes. They mayarisefromuncertaintyastothe the StatementofFinancial Position but arereported in therelevant Contingent Assets and Contingent Liabilitiesarenotrecognisedin h) Contingent Assets andLiabilities have beenreceived(andirrespectiveofhavinginvoiced). Liabilities arerecognisedtotheextentthatgoodsorservices Supplier andotherpayablesarerecognisedatamortisedcost. Supplier andotherpayables appropriate, ashorterperiod. through theexpectedlifeoffinancialliability, or, where the ratethatexactlydiscounts estimated futurecashpayments expense overtherelevantperiod. The effectiveinterestrateis amortised costofafinancialliabilityandallocatinginterest The effectiveinterestmethodisaofcalculatingthe recognised onaneffectiveyieldbasis. cost usingtheeffectiveinterestmethod, with interestexpense Other financialliabilitiesaresubsequentlymeasuredatamortised transaction costs. Other financialliabilitiesareinitiallymeasuredatfairvalue, netof Other financialliabilities financial liability. in profitorlossincorporatesanyinterestpaidonthe recognised inprofitorloss. Thenetgainorlossrecognised measured atfairvalue. Subsequentfairvalueadjustmentsare Financial liabilitiesatfairvaluethroughprofitorlossareinitially Financial liabilitiesatfairvaluethroughprofitorloss

transferred inexchangeandliabilitiesundertaken. below. The costofacquisitionincludesthefairvalueassets Assets arerecordedatcostonacquisitionexceptasstated of Assets Acquisition i) for lessthan$10,000duringtheyear havebeenexpensed. recoverable amounts. Property, plantandequipmentpurchased flows havebeendiscountedtotheirpresentvaluesindetermining employment and subsequent disposal. The expected net cash the expectednetcashflowsthatwillbereceivedfromassets these assets. The recoverableamountisassessedonthebasisof annually to ensureitis not inexcess of therecoverableamount of amountofproperty,The carrying plant&equipmentisreviewed asset. relatingtoa previousrevaluationofthat asset revaluationreserve loss totheextentthatitexceedsbalance, ifany, heldinthe revaluation ofsuchlandandbuildingsischargedtoprofit previously charged. amountarisingonthe A decreaseincarrying increase iscreditedtoprofitandlosstheextentofdecrease asset previouslyrecognisedinprofitandloss, inwhichcasethe to theextentthatitreversesarevaluationdecreaseforsame and buildingsiscreditedtotheassetrevaluationreserve, except Any revaluationincreasearisingontheofsuchland costs ingettingtheassetreadyforuse. the fairvalueofassetgivenasconsiderationplusincidental plant andequipmentaremeasuredatcost. as Costisdetermined 5years. atleastevery are performed All otherclassesofproperty, losses.and subsequentaccumulatedimpairment Revaluations fair valuebasis, lessanysubsequentaccumulateddepreciation Freehold landandbuildings on freehold land aremeasuredona j) Property, plantandequipment northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 053 Commonwealth Reserve reserveThis funds unexpended any recognise used to is GovernmentCommonwealth from the during funding The reserve is adjusted when the unexpended grant period. is used. Property, Plant and Equipment Reserve This reservefunds set aside for is used to record replacement and maintenance of the the purchase, which includes plant and equipment property, Commission’s information technology. Assets Revaluation Reserve This reserve and decrements is used to record increments The reserve may on the revaluation of non-current assets. impairmentasset of result a as adjusted be also adjustments. • n) Income tax is a public Aid Commission Legal Territory The Northern Income of the Section 50-25 definition of within the authority under the Act 1997 and its income is exempt Assessment Tax Act. provisions of that o) Reserves The Commission maintains reserves that are funded by cash and The fund reserves are as follows: investments. • • Contributions made by the Commission to employee Contributions made expensed. superannuation funds are are provided through the Superannuation entitlements Employee’s Scheme Authorities Superannuation NT Government and Public and non-government schemes employee nominated (NTGPASS) 1999. August on or after 10 for those employees commencing 9.50% on behalf of the majority of The Commission contributes is met directly by the Any liability for superannuation employees. NT Government continue to have no and the entity has and will liability. other direct superannuation m) Superannuation arrangements m) Superannuation 2016 30 years 5 years 2017 30 years 5 years

Buildings Plant & Equipment Fixed Assets Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the life of the of life the over depreciated are improvements Leasehold whichever is shorter. assets or term of the lease, l) Employee benefits liability for employee Provision is made for the Commission’s benefits arising from services by employees to balance rendered one expected to be settled within Employee benefits sheet date. and salaries year together with entitlements arising from wages nominal amounts and annual leave have been measured at their to be paid when based on remuneration rates which are expected the liability is settled. serviceThe liability for long in the provision leave is recognised of present value as the measured and employee benefits for servicesof respect in made be to payments future expected Consideration provided by employees up to the reporting date. on related salaryand wage future expected to given is levels, and periods of service. experience of employee departures, costs, Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the reporting date on national government bonds with terms to the as closely as possible, maturity and currencies that match, estimated future cash outflows. Property, plant and equipment, including buildings and leasehold including buildings and leasehold plant and equipment, Property, are depreciated / amortised land, property but excluding freehold economic lives using the straight line over their expected useful at cost. method and are measured or amortised in the year of acquisition Assets are first depreciated from the time an of internally in respect constructed assets, or, used for the The depreciation rates asset is held ready for use. assets are: major class of depreciable k) Depreciation and amortisation of and amortisation k) Depreciation fixed assets Notes to the Financial Statements Financial to the Notes 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For 054 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 of GSTexcept: Revenues, expensesandassetsarerecognised netoftheamount r) GoodsandServices Tax lease term. operating leasearealsospreadonastraight-linebasisoverthe Benefits receivedandreceivableasanincentivetoenterinto oftherelevantlease.income onastraight-linebasisovertheterm charged tothestatementofprofitorlossandothercomprehensive accommodation. Rentalspayableunderoperatingleasesare The Commission enters into operating leases for office to ownership. agreement so as to reflect the risks and benefits incidental or financeleasesbasedontheeconomicsubstanceof Leases areclassifiedattheirinceptionaseitheroperating q) Leases the interestpaymentpasses. Interest revenueisrecognisedwhencontroloftherighttoreceive Interest been incurred. revenue isrecognisedonlytotheextentthatcostshave Where thecontractoutcomecannotbereliablymeasured, percentage oftotalestimatedlabourhoursforeachcontract. measured byreferencetolabourhoursincurreddateasa of completion can be reliably measured. Stage of completion is and the stage of the right to be compensated for theservices Where thecontractoutcomecanbereliablymeasured, control Rendering ofservices also bemetbeforerevenueisrecognised: reliably measured. The followingspecificrecognitioncriteriamust economic benefits willflow to theentity and the revenuecan be Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the p) Revenuerecognition

cash flow. payable to, thetaxationauthority, areclassifiedasanoperating investing andfinancingactivities, whichisrecoverablefrom, or gross basisandtheGSTcomponentofcashflowsarisingfrom Cash flowsareincludedontheStatementofFlowsa payables inthestatementoffinancialposition. taxation authorityisincludedaspartofthereceivablesand The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the • • basis intheexpectationthatsuchfundingwillcontinue. financial statementshavebeenpreparedonagoingconcern operational andcapitalitemsinthecurrentfinancialyear. These tomeetproposedcashexpenditureonboth Government from theNorthern Territory andtheCommonwealth Government The Commissionisfundedpredominantlybyannualfunding t) EconomicDependence andwithintheCommission. obtained bothexternally events andarebasedoncurrenttrendseconomicdata, information. Estimatesassumeareasonableexpectationoffuture are based on historical knowledge and best available current Estimates andjudgementsincorporatedintothefinancialreport judgements s) Criticalaccountingestimatesand GST included. Receivables andpayablesarestatedwiththeamountsof applicable; and acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense item as which casetheGSTisrecognisedaspartofcost is not recoverable from the taxation authority,services in Where theGSTincurredonapurchaseofgoodsand northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 055 $ $ $ 2016 1,450 10,000 80,209 107,652 361,457 119,284 115,767 174,968 7,697,820 1,237,665 1,967,964 1,085,061 1,175,803 1,187,253 5,757,000 269,500 12,457,619 6,199,320 12,716,048 $ $ $ 1,450 2017 10,000 111,624 142,432 125,358 117,156 171,221 166,897 3,554,380 3,565,830 6,809,787 6,629,980 1,650,934 8,797,858 1,467,911 2,766,604 1,219,685 15,587,271 14,590,176 - Commonwealth - Recovered costs - Others - Others - Operating lease expenditure

Rendering of services revenue - Client contributions Other revenue - Interest Other revenue Grant revenue from - NT Grant revenue from Depreciation expense Advance account Cash at bank 4. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and 4. Cash on hand Administration costs Legal costs Other expenses - Minor assets

Salaries and employee benefits expense

Notes to the Financial Statements Financial to the Notes 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For 2. Revenue 2. 3. Expenses 3. 056 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 5. Trade Receivables The term deposits andbankbillsareheldwith commercialbanks.The term Term Deposits Current 6. Investments Ending balance Amount writtenoff Doubtful expensesduringtheyear - 2to4years Reinstatement ofaccountspreviouslywritten-off - morethan4years - morethan4years - 3monthsto2years The agingofprovisionfordoubtfuldebtsisasfollows: Beginning balance Movements ofProvisionforDoubtfulDebtsareasfollows: - 2to4years - 1to2years GST Receivable Less ProvisionforDoubtfulDebts Recoveries Receivable Less ProvisionforDoubtfulDebts - upto3months The agingofthereceivablesisasfollows: - 3to12months Trade Debtors Current 500,000 500,000 145,186 106,783 178,162 (10,916) 10,916 10,312 10,916 14,716 12,771 43,892 51,714 62,630 82,556 82,556 2,838 8,078 2,838 8,078 2017 604 $ 0 0 0 0 1,500,000 1,500,000 116,818 164,457 280,671 19,333 13,769 70,627 71,231 45,587 45,587 83,112 2016 (604) 269 604 335 154 450 154 450 604

$ 0 0 0 0 Financials northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 057 0 $ 2016 4,502 59,657 77,287 34,818 350,000 350,000 700,094 394,608 211,258 371,641 125,672 176,264 (305,486) (795,245) (245,969) 1,378,144 1,050,094 1,081,538 1,006,503 2,428,238 (1,346,700) $ 2017 5,255 5,690 78,937 61,454 87,147 40,366 420,000 420,000 640,094 499,592 171,005 371,641 199,912 (140,502) (872,784) (292,704) 1,415,430 1,060,094 2,475,524 1,169,534 1,043,789 (1,305,990)

Fair value Fair Less: Accumulated depreciation Less: Accumulated depreciation Buildings – at fair value Accumulated depreciation Less: Leasehold improvements – at cost Plant and equipment – at cost Accumulated depreciation Less: plant and equipment – net book value property, Total Cost Prepayments - Insurances Freehold land at fair value Freehold - Rent - Salaries Accrued revenue - Other 8. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, 8.

7. Other Assets Other 7. Notes to the Financial Statements Financial to the Notes For The Year Ended 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For 058 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 8. Property, PlantandEquipment Depreciation Disposals Additions valuations obtained fromtheIntegrated Valuation dated10May2017. Services byreferencetodirectvaluations,The fairvaluesoffreeholdlandand buildingshavebeendetermined baseduponindependent (b) Valuations Additions amountatbeginningofyear Carrying Plant andEquipment Disposals amountatbeginningofyear Carrying Leasehold Improvements Net amountofrevaluationincrements amountatbeginningofyear Carrying Buildings Net amountofrevaluationincrements Carrying amountatendofyear Carrying amountatendofyear Carrying amountatendofyear Carrying Carrying amountatbeginningofyear Carrying Freehold Land amountsofeachclassproperty,Reconciliations ofthecarrying plantandequipmentaresetoutbelow: (a) Reconciliations Depreciation Depreciation Additions amountatendofyear Carrying (continued) 125,672 171,005 211,258 499,592 151,932 394,608 420,000 350,000 (46,735) (77,538) (46,948) 78,937 37,285 70,000 2017 $ 0 0 0 0 125,672 176,006 211,258 216,437 394,608 438,456 350,000 350,000 (34,717) (50,334) (13,470) (43,848) 34,717 8,291 2016 $ 0 0 0 0 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 059 $ 2016 41,271 48,894 50,410 504,254 566,166 105,618 333,692 384,102 174,084 174,084 1,176,038 1,266,203 $ 0 2017 46,000 55,641 168,043 168,043 608,338 658,164 145,542 311,346 311,346 1,412,044 1,513,685 - Long Service Leave - Leave Loading Annual Leave -

Total Payables Total Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts payable and accrued

Current Employee benefits - Annual Leave Employee benefits - Fringe Benefits Tax Fringe Benefits Non-Current Employee benefits - Long Service Leave Super contribution and others 10. Provisions 10. Current 9. Trade and Other Payables and Trade 9.

11. Superannuation Commitments Superannuation 11. Authorities Government and Public Territory provided through the NorthernEmployees’ superannuation entitlements are principally benefit from “3% productivity” are supplemented by an additional Benefits from these schemes Superannuation Scheme (NTGPASS). Supplementary(NTSSS). Superannuation Scheme Territory the Northern NTSSS benefits are entirely employer members are based on an elected rate of 2% to 6% salary. Employee contributions for NTGPASS (at $745,217 to amounted expended superannuation total 2017 June 30 at As contributions. employee require not do and funded 30 June 2016 - $553,164). new employees are unable to join the above funds and must nominate their own fund into which contributions August 1999, 10 From will be paid.

Notes to the Financial Statements Financial to the Notes 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For 060 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 14. ExpenditureCommitments 13. CashFlowsStatement matters. As at30June2017thetrustaccounthadanilbalance(2016-nil). and settlement monies held on behalf of legally aided persons. The Commissionmay recover some costs upon finalisation of these monies arenotbroughttoaccountinthefinancialreportsbutdisclosedbywayofnote. Thetrustaccountismaintainedforverdict The Commissionoperatesasolicitor’s trustaccountandthefundsarenotusedinachievementofitsobjectives. Therefore these 12. Trust Accounts balance datebutnotprovidedfor Aggregate leaseexpenditureandGrants in Aid contractedforat In Aid Grants Decrease/(Increase) inprepayments(non-capital) Increase/(Decrease) increditors Loss ondisposalofassets/assetsdonated Depreciation Decrease/(Increase) inreceivables Net cashflowsfrom/(usedin)operatingactivities Operating leases(non-cancellable) Building leaseexpenditurecommitments Increase/(Decrease) inprovisions Operating profit Reconciliation ofnetcashusedinoperatingactivitiestoprofit - laterthanoneyearbutnotfiveyears - notlaterthanoneyear 2,717,230 1,415,862 970,031 852,808 894,391 102,509 174,726 171,221 997,095 (23,648) (6,041) 2017 0 $ 1,242,572 1,583,382 3,654,762 (172,324) (221,323) 828,808 109,527 107,652 258,429 110,138 28,177 2016 0 $ northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 061 0 0 0 $ 11 2016 1,540 23,850 14,531 39,921 55,368 55,379 770,330 995,242 979,784 (209,454) $ 8 880 2017 5,895 30,902 43,424 75,206 63,552 63,560 (15,930) (10,035) 727,049 979,783 981,394 (254,345) Client contributions Bank charges Cost recovered Add: Unpresented Cheques Add:

Cash balance at year end As at 30 June the financial position of the fund which is managed As at 30 June the financial as follows by the Commission was Opening balance Less: Interest earned & reinvested last year Less: Net funds available Less - Clients/grants approved but not paid at year end Less - Clients/grants approved but not paid at year Adjustments: Income: Interest earned Income:

Expenditure: Disbursements Expenditure: Notes to the Financial Statements Financial to the Notes 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For Aid Fund Legal Contingency 15. was established towards Aid Fund Legal Act 1990 the Contingency Aid Australia Legal of Territory NorthernUnder Section 44 of the Therefore these objectives. of the Commission’s The funds are not used in the achievement financial year. the end of the 1992/93 fund is available to provide financial The by way of note. to account in the financial reports but are disclosed monies are not brought set up with a seeding grant from the Law It was to enable them to bring or defend civil proceedings. assistance to eligible persons follows: The details of the funds are as Trust. Society Public Purpose 062 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 (b) Asset Revaluation Balance attheendofyear Transfer from(Redistributionto)RetainedEarnings Commonwealth Reserves Asset Revaluation Balanceatthebeginningofyear Movements inreserves: Balance attheendofyear Balanceatthebeginningofyear (c) CommonwealthReserve -Freehold land Transfer from(Redistributionto)RetainedEarnings 16. Reserves Property, Plant&EquipmentReserve (a)Property, (funded) Plant&EquipmentReserve Balance attheendofyear -BuildingsonFreehold Land Revaluationincrementsonrevaluationof: Balanceatthebeginningofyear 1,327, 762 1,982,755 3,189,655 1,982,755 655,053 658,086 151,932 436,154 548,814 182,545 366,270 658,086 548,814 70,000 2017 $ 2,130,126 1,327,702 1,327,702 366,270 176,221 190,049 436,154 366,270 887,025 436,154 436,154 440,677 2016 $ 0 0 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 063

$ 168 174 2016 258,429 271,211 Total $’000 Total 1,076,028 (1,063,246) - - $ No term $’000 2017 271,211 997,095 430,709 (837,597) - - > 5 years $’000

- - > 1 year and < 5 years $’000 168 174 1 year or less $’000

Equity at end of year Net transfer from/(to) Reserves Net Income Equity at beginning of year Trade and other payables Trade and other payables Trade

30 June 2017 30 June 2016

Notes to the Financial Statements Financial to the Notes 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For 17. Retained Earnings Retained 17. In respect of any dealings with organisations external to Government, the Commission has adopted a policy of dealing with credit worthy credit with dealing of policy a adopted has Commission the externalorganisations with dealings any of respect In Government, to as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss or other security where appropriate, organisations and obtaining sufficient collateral from defaults. Liquidity Risk approach The Commission’s not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. Liquidity risk is the risk that the Commission will The maturity profiles of have sufficient liquidity to meet liabilities when they fall due. to managing liquidity is to ensure that it will always undiscounted financial liabilities are as follows: Credit Risk financial risk on The credit failed to performif counterparties be recognised that would the loss represents Credit risk as contracted. on the balance sheet is the carryingassets of the Commission that have been recognised amount net of any provision for doubtful a large number of customers Commission has a minimal concentration of credit risk as it undertakes transactions with The debts. industries. particular within due from customers on trade debtors credit risk of concentrations There are no major and counterparties. A financial instrument is a contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another A financial instrument is a contract that gives rise receivables and payables. and short-term Financial instruments held by the Commission include cash monetary investments, entity. 18. Financial Instruments 18. The Commission has limited exposure to financial risk as described below. The Commission has limited exposure to financial 064 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 The Commissionhasnofixedinterestfinancialinstruments. as follows: the effectiveinterestratesoffinancialassetsandliabilities, bothrecognisedandunrecognised atthebalancedate, are liabilities as a result of changes in interest rates. The Northern Territory’s Legal Aid Commission’s exposure to interest rate risks and Interest rateriskistheoffinanciallossand/orincreasedcostduetoadversemovementsinvaluesassetsand Interest RateRisk Financial liabilities Financial assets Accounts payableandaccruals Cash TOTAL FINANCIALLIABILITIES TOTALFINANCIAL ASSETS Other Receivables Term Deposits Receivables -trade(net)

Financial Instrument 3,566 4,066 $’000 Floating Interest 2017 500 - - - - 1,187 1,500 2,687 $’000 2016 - - - - Non-Interest Bearing $’000 2017 178 166 166 378 200 - - $’000 2016 281 174 174 457 176 - - Total Carrying Amount as 3,566 4,444 $’000 2017 Balance Sheet 178 166 166 200 500 per the 1,500 1,187 3,144 $’000 2016 281 174 174 176 Effective InterestRate 2.45% 1.52% Weighted Average 2017 % - - - - - 2.86% 1.96% 2016 % - - - - -

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 065 (5) (36) (31) (12) (15) (27) $’000 100 Basis Points Decrease 100 Basis Points 5 36 31 12 15 27 Profit or Loss and Equity $’000 The fair values of the Commission’s financial assets have been have assets financial Commission’s the of values fair The The carrying amount calculated using the market interest rates. trade and other receivables, of cash and cash equivalents, their fair value due to and creditors approximate investments, their short term nature. The Commission determines fair value for its non-financial assets The hierarchy. using the level 2 and 3 inputs in the fair value 2017 and the following table disclose the fair value at 30 June valuation techniques used to derived its fair value: 100 Basis Points Increase 100 Basis Points (continued)

30 June 2017 Financial Assets - Cash and cash equivalents Financial Assets – Short-term investments Financial Net sensitivity Net sensitivity Financial Assets - Cash and cash equivalents Assets - Cash and cash Financial Assets – Short-term investments Financial 30 June 2016 The different levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined below: The different levels of the fair value hierarchy are active in quoted prices using calculated is fair value 1 – the Level markets. than other inputs using estimated is value the fair – 2 Level quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the (as prices) or indirectly (derived either directly asset or liability, from prices). for the asset or Level 3 – the fair value is estimated using inputs liability that are not based on observable market data. Fair Fair Value Market

18. Financial Instruments Financial 18. Notes to the Financial Statements Financial to the Notes 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For The following table demonstrates the Commission’s sensitivity to movement in interest rates in relation to the value of interest bearing to movement in interest rates in relation to the sensitivity the Commission’s The following table demonstrates financial assets and liabilities. Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity Analysis Sensitivity Interest Rate Risk Financials 066 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 Total Non-financialAssets Leasehold improvements Plant andEquipment Equipment Infrastructure Plantand Building onfreeholdland Freehold land Land andBuildings Non-financial assets Fair valuemeasurement- Valuation technique&InputUsedforNon-financial Assets 1,169,534 171,005 78,937 499,592 420,000 $ Fair value Level3 Level3 Level2 Level2 Category -Depreciatedreplacement - Depreciatedreplacement - Marketcomparables - Capitalisationon - Marketbasedvaluationof Valuation Technique cost cost (Motor vehicles) properties based oncomparative an assumeincome a directcomparatives

- Replacementcostbased - Usefullivesof2to6 - Replacementcostbased - Usefullivesof5years - Marketbuying/selling Input Used&Range

modern equivalents modern on comparablepriceof years modern equivalents modern on comparablepriceof price Financials northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 067 $ 700 700 2016 To 01/04/2017 08/10/2016 Current Current Current Current Current Current Amount $ $25,371 2017 1,766 1,766 02/04/2014 23/09/2010 10/05/2017 04/10/2016 25/07/2016 01/07/2013 29/10/1997 29/03/2010 From Details Legal fees Position Staff Elected Commissioner Commissioner Staff Elected Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Chairperson Related Party Terrill and Associates Terrill

Name Total Details Sitting fees Russell Goldflam Anne Bradford Chrissy McConnell Meredith Day Ali Nur Samantha Byrne Eilleen Terrill Elizabeth Morris (i) Transactions with Commissioners Transactions (i) surplus legal work has been allocated to legal During the year, executive positions in legal Commissioners who hold firms. These firms have surplus legal work allocated to them. may length basis under transactions are considered to be on an arm’s normal terms and conditions. (ii) Remuneration of Commissioners for Commissioners who are employees of the Transactions of Executives Commission are included in the Remuneration other than remuneration Transactions, and Senior Management. were expenses, payments and the reimbursement of approved who are non- paid by the Commission to Commissioners government employees during the reporting year as below: (continued)

Governing Board Commissioners Aid Legal Territory The Commissioners of the Northern Commission during the financial year were: The following disclosures are for the Commission’s key The following disclosures are for the Commission’s management personnel. 21. Related Party Transactions Related Party 21. 20. 20. Contingent Assets/Liabilities liabilities of aThere were no known contingent assets or contingent significant nature at 30 June 2017 (2016 – $nil). The organisation operates in one industry segment and one being the provision of legal services in the geographic location, of Australia. Northern Territory 19. Segment Information Segment 19.

Fair Fair Market Value occupied property owner The fair value of the Commission’s been determinedas at 30 June 2017 has and approved by of an independent valuation obtained the Board on the basis Services 2017. 10 May dated Valuation Integrated the from the being Such valuations are performed market, on an open assets could be exchanged between a amounts for which the and a knowledgeable willing seller in knowledgeable willing buyer The independent length transaction at the valuation date. an arm’s of the property everyvaluer provides the fair value 5 years. for the freehold land and building The fair value measurement on the valuation has been categorised as Level 2 fair value based technique noted above. that those leasehold improvements and plant and equipment For value. their cost approximates their fair market are carried at cost, Notes to the Financial Statements Financial to the Notes For The Year Ended 30 June 2017 Ended Year The For Financials 068 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 (i) RemunerationofExecutivesandSeniorManagement financial yearunlessotherwisestated. The keymanagementpersonnelheldtheirpositionsfortheentire employees duringthereportingyear asbelow: Commission toCommissioners who arenon-government reimbursement of approved expenses, were paid by the Transactions, other thanremunerationpaymentsandthe (iv) Other Transactions Commission toSeniorManagementduringthereportingyear. No loanshavebeenmade, guaranteedorsecuredbythe (iii) LoanstoResponsiblePersons Senior Managementduringthereportingyear. No retirementbenefitshavebeenmadebytheCommissionto (ii) RetirementBenefits Executives andSeniorManagement Leeanne Morris Barbara Lelli Fiona Hussin Susan CoxQC Total Termination benefits benefits Other long-term Post-employment benefits benefits Short-term Name Human ResourcesManager Manager Corporate Services Deputy Director Director Position 1,354,776 1,063,156 291,620 2017 0 0 $ statutory authority of the Northern authorityoftheNorthern statutory Territory. Territory arerelated parties. Government The Commissionisa The Northern Territory Legal Aid CommissionandtheNorthern Other RelatedParty Disclosure Northern Territory.Northern The auditoroftheCommissionis Auditor-General forthe 22. Auditor’s Remuneration Total Auditor-General for: provided bytheNorthern Territory forservices to theNTGovernment Amounts paid, ordueandpayable

Government Transactions ° financial statements Audit oftheCommission Northern Territory Receivables Expenses Payables Income Details 16,798 16,798 2017 $13,741,787 $545,460 $ Amount $1,053 $3,388 16,852 16,852 2016 $ northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2016/17 069 NTLegalAid www.facebook.com/NTLAC Office hours: 8.00 am - 4.30 pm Monday - Friday address: Website www.ntlac.nt.gov.au Email address: [email protected] Legal Aid Helpline: Legal Aid Helpline: 1800 019 343

Alice Springs SPRINGS NT 0870 ALICE 77 Hartley Street, NT 0871 ALICE SPRINGS PO Box 969, (08) 8951 5378 Fax Tennant Creek Tennant Street, 163 Paterson Shop 3, TENNANT CREEK NT 0860 CREEK NT 0861 TENNANT PO Box 794, (08) 8962 2439 Fax Katherine 0850 NT KATHERINE 20 Second Street, NT 0851 KATHERINE PO Box 145, (08) 8973 8551 Fax Palmerston Terrace, Wah 25 Chung Goyder Centre, Shop 6, NT 0830 PALMERSTON (08) 8999 4747 Fax

Darwin DARWIN NT 0800 9-11 Cavenagh Street, DARWIN NT 0801 Locked Bag 11, (08) 8999 3099 Fax Commission Offices Commission www.ntlac.nt.gov.au