Annual Report 2018 /2019 I Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission Annual Report 2018/19

Annual Report 2018 /2019 I northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19

and budget. my fellow Board members for their I would also like to thank ensuring that their thoughtfulness and their passion for expertise, and meets the the Commission operates as effectively as possible Annual my last In this, requirements of the Legal Aid Act (1990). I am honoured to be able to leave the role as Chairperson, Report, the community, with a Commission well respected by its peers and noted for its quality legal services endeavouring to meet the and legal needs of those most disadvantaged. Annual Report and the work of the Northern I commend this Aid Commission to you. Legal Territory sincerely Yours Elizabeth Morris Chair Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission quality services are provided across the Northern Territory within Territory quality services across the Northern are provided I thank Suzan for the Board of On behalf budgetary constraints. the Director for I also congratulate her dedication and diligence. in the law by the awarding the recognition of her achievements staff the all thank also I year. this honour Birthday Queen's a of continued efforts doing what can be of the Commission for their In particular the Board has work. relentless but often rewarding Corporate Servicesbeen much assisted by Manager Barbara her assistance with matters of finance Lelli and I thank her for People experiencing disadvantage are often more vulnerable experiencing disadvantage are often more vulnerable People within to legal problems and disproportionately represented the justice system profound The consequences of a failure to access justice are but not its Many people are feeling the brunt of the law protection communities functioning healthy, to justice underpins Access Dear Attorney-General Australia released its final report of This year the Law Council to provide a This major project aimed The Justice Project. of platform justice issues for significantly for addressing access to the overarching of Some Australia. in people disadvantaged themes included: • • • • for a properly These themes succinctly reinforce the need legal professional and responsive system of providing resourced, education and communication. representation, advice, can be rightly proud Territory The community of the Northern Aid Commission plays in meeting these of the role their Legal exemplified by By using innovation and collaboration, needs. Australia on the Blurred Western the Commissions' work with a holistic by meeting the needs of the client in Borders project; Workers in exemplified by the inclusion of Social Support way, a Health Justice our Legal Practice and the development of exemplified by utilising technology, partnership in Katherine; the Helpline, by the over 20,000 calls received on the Legal who are most Commission has stretched itself to assist those disadvantaged in an efficient and effective way. Annual Report would not be All of the work outlined in this the dedication of and without the professionalism possible Under the leadership of the Director staff of the Commission. ensure hard to work NTLAC at the team OAM QC, Cox Suzan The Hon. Natasha Fyles MLA Natasha Fyles The Hon. Attorney-General Minister for Justice and House Parliament State Square DARWIN NT 0800 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 II northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 III 43 47 48 49 50 55 95 The Community We Serve We The Community Law Family End Top Network Pathways Information Management Our Committees Legal ServiceViolence Domestic Financial Statements Our Office Locations 1 4 8 10 17 19 20 22 24 38 s

Director's Report Director's

Performance Highlights Performance The Commissioners Our Staff and Development Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020 Our Obligations Overview of Our Operations Our Offices Our Principal Functions Activities Community Legal Education tent Con northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 IV northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 001

In September 2019 we will again be submitting a detailed budget detailed a submitting be again will we 2019 September In existing reallocate to had have we meantime, the In proposal. of the most pressing need and this has resources to the areas legal servicesbeen focused on providing in to young people Board had to make the As a result the NTLAC Alice Springs. very and suspend our attendance at Bush Courts hard decision In January I wrote this year Territory. throughout the Northern the Local Court advising that due to to the Chief Judge of Aid Commission would no budgetary the NT Legal constraints respect to new matters in courts where longer grant legal aid in until we are able to secure an increase we do not have an office Prior to this we had been occasionally in funding to do so. from NAAJA. attending regional courts on a conflict referral basis some that means and situation regrettable extremely an is This disadvantaged people attending before the NT courts may be been has situation The Courts. in the representation without and of Justice raised on a number of occasions with the Department and the Attorney-General. Commonwealth On a more positive note we have been able to use Agreement on funding provided under the National Partnership termlong undertake to ServicesAssistance NPA’) (‘the Legal wrap around services planning and to provide more holistic, who work Workers for our clients by employing Social Support The Commission has long recognised closely with our lawyers. often are clients on priority impacting problems legal that legal address the client’s effectively To multifaceted and complex. interrelated social needs more often than not requires addressing Our clients are certainly economically disadvantaged- they needs. substance problems, health mental have they Often veryare poor. are many violence, domestic of victims are and/or issues abuse have cognitive impairments and complex trauma homeless, Lawyers are neither trained nor otherwise based backgrounds. equipped to deal with these issues which in turn impact on the suitable Finding serviceclients. such to provide to able are they accommodation for a homeless person will impact on that impaired cognitively a to Explaining bail. obtain to ability person’s client the conditions of bail or a sentence is essential for that it takes client being able to abide by bail and sentence conditions:

This year we have continued to strive to achieve our vision to be to achieve our vision have continued to strive This year we an exciting year with It has been fair justice system. a leader in a and achievements. many positive highlights Our financial concerns to challenge us in have continued last year I advised that we were In my report achieving our goal. our NT base funding and recognised unsuccessful in increasing pressures on the NT Governmentthat there were competing in the resources needed for the in particular, regards to funding and, said I systems. Protection Child and Justice Youth the of overhaul GovernmentNT the that hopeful were we that respond would increased funding for the 2019-2020 to our requirements for again this year we were unsuccessful Unfortunately, financial year. pressures This was despite in increasing our NT base funding. Youth to the escalation in in respect Treasury being pointed out to region and the requirements Alice Springs Justice cases in the law need in of the Commission to meet the growing criminal that region. the lamented now years of number a for have we addition, In practitioners to state of the fees that we are able to pay private Private practitioners play an important do our legal aid work. people in role in providing legal assistance for disadvantaged in established was Commission Aid Legal NT the When NT. the providing 1990 the scale of costs payable to private practitioners normalthe of 80% was aid legal of grant a under assistance the with pace not kept have costs These court. set by the fee increases in the court scale over the last 19 years. increase the fees Without a funding increase we are not able to The our work. we pay to the private legal profession who do that are paid fees we are able to pay are well below the fees Attorney-GeneralJustice and NT the and Prosecutions both by This work. their do who practitioners private to Department that many private creates an uneven playing field and also means practitioners are increasingly reluctant to take on representation They simply cannot afford to do our work for Aid clients. of Legal This concernechoed nationally has been the amount we can pay. Association. Australian Bar and the Australia by the Law Council of Director’s Report northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 002 co-related healthand legalneeds. present attheemergencydepartment ofthehospitalandhave assistance tothosemostvulnerable patientswhofrequently the legalservices, KatherineHospital andNGOstoprovidelegal We aredevelopingahealthjusticepartnership inKatherinewith them toexcelaspartofthecommunity. Instead itishopedtoengagewithKatherinechildrenandassist chancetheywill graduatetoadultprison.where thereisevery there outoftroubleandinthecommunity-notyouthdetention Youth JusticeReinvestmentinitiativetoassistinkeepingchildren involved insupportingtheKatherine In Katherineourofficeisvery communities andplayavitaldynamicrole. our RegionalOffices. Theseofficesarepartoftheirparticular To assist people across the NT with their legal needs we have Our Offices Director’s Report Director’s Australia. initiative isbestpracticeforthelegalassistancesectoracross It isanticipatedthattheevaluationwillprovideevidencethis value toclientsoftheprovisionsuchaholisticlegalservice. Legal Aid space. The evaluationwillexploreanddocumentthe social workerstoworkwithlawyersisinnovativeinthe Australian by the Law SocietyPublic Purposes Trust. The introduction of The evaluationiscurrentlybeingconductedandsupported the employmentofsocialsupportworkersinourlegalpractice. The Commissionhasarrangedforanindependentevaluationof at hand. up thelawyersosheorhecouldfocusonlegalproblems oftheparticular clientandatthesametimefree the concerns to both ensurethe lawyer isaware of all delivery legal service alongside ourlawyers. The aimwastoprovideamoreeffective slowly imbedSocialSupport Workers inourlegalpracticetowork can assisttheircomplexclient. This iswhyin2016webeganto followupwhich enquiriesanddothenecessary all thenecessary save lives. A busyLegal Aid lawyer doesnothavetimetomake Providing womeninaviolentrelationshipwithsafetyplancan time andcanmakeallthedifferencetosentenceoutcomes. (continued) year. The Conference soughttoaddresstherecommendations Conference in Darwin which ran over two days in March this presenting at The InauguralChildren’s Practitioners Training in theNT, muchinvolvedinorganizingand NTLACwasvery Royal CommissionintotheProtection andDetentionofChildren As partoftheimplementation recommendationsofthe agenciesaswelltocourtsandjudges.kits tolegalservice which hasinvolvedtheprovisionoftrainingonhowtousethese NT and WA whichwastherolloutofBlurredBorders kits providersinthe continued ajointprojectwithotherlegalservice education andthisisdoneinavarietyofways. This yearwe Part requirements is toprovide community legal of ourstatutory particularly women, intheDarwinandgreaterregion. and administrativestaffaremakingarealdifferencetopeople, domestic andfamilyviolence. Our lawyers, socialsupportworker forpeopleexperiencing been providinganinvaluableservice Domestic whichformanyyearsnowhas Violence LegalService In Darwin, inadditiontoourmainoffice, wealsoauspicetheDarwin year thecallstoHelplineexceeded20,000. point ofcontactformostpeopleseekinglegalaidassistance. This it weoperatetheNTLegal Aid Helpline. The Helplineisthefirst important streetlevelaccesstotheCommissions’workandfrom Our Palmerston officeisclosertoDarwinandprovidesan to theLocalCourt. in thatCourtaswellthetransitionofFederal CircuitCourt the development of a specialist approach to domestic violence including therenovationstoLocalCourt;infrastructure reform In Alice Springsourofficehasbeensupportingthecourt extremely remoteregion. infrastructure andprogramimprovementsforresidentsofthis the BarklyRegionalDealwhichwehopewillprovidesignificant Tennant muchsupporting Creekoffice iscurrentlyinvolvedinvery providing legalassistancefromthereforover7years. Our engagement. hasbeen OurIndigenousOutreachService tothecommunityandhasastrongfocuson service In Tennant Creekourofficeprovidesavitalshopfrontlegal northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 003

Director. The Board, the staff and I wish Elizabeth all the best in and I wish Elizabeth all the staff The Board, Director. Local Court. as Chief Judge of the her new role the Commission I would like to thank all of the staff of Finally, is often hard, Our work Territory. the in all of our offices across The staff of the It is also very rewarding. demanding and relentless. in a large legal practice which provides a Commission participate for a large number of people in the NT variety of legal assistance of the Commission in All of you are part of the success each day. Thank you. Territory. in the providing access to justice Suzan Cox QC Director Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission for specialist training of legal practitioners working in the area of working in the area training of legal practitioners for specialist particularly and Protection of children, Justice and Care Youth child and Aboriginal cultural competence, in areas of trauma, cognitive and health mental adolescent development, adolescent and communication deficits. advice of providing information, In addition to our core business family and civil law the of criminal, and representation in areas to have a policy role and be actively Commission has continued in numerous forums and providing involved in participating Governments in Territory and Federal submissions to both the Although initiatives. policy and legislative relation to law reform, I am firmly of the view always successful, our submissions are not continue will We that our input is both valuable and important. to Government.to comment in a fearless and constructive way for the I would like to thank each of the NTLAC Commissioners and meetings Board the to bring they enthusiasm and energy In its employees. their support for the Commissions’ work and I would like to thank the Chair of the Commission, particular, as Chair early Elizabeth Morris who will be retiring from her role history long a had has Elizabeth with year. financial new the in with the criminal the Commission since commencing as a lawyer During 9 years. law section in 1991 where she worked for on the that time Elizabeth was the staff elected Commissioner of Justice, Board and in 2007 while working for the Department Department’s Elizabeth was appointed a Commissioner as that the NTLAC Chair of appointed Elizabeth was 2010 In nominee. As Chair, years. and has continued in that role for the last 9 Commission and Elizabeth has led the strategic direction of the the organisation’s through her leadership the Board has overseen Territory. performance in delivering legal services across the been particularly Throughout her time as Chair Elizabeth has concerned for the welfare of the staff of the Commission and has for policies of our direction the steering in role a valuable played employee well being and the overall positive culture of our work Commission the to her contributions all for Elizabeth thank I place. over the years in all of her varied roles and her support for me as northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 004 who soughtassistance fromtheLegal Aid Helpline, websiteorcommunitylegaleducation services. The percentagesinclude clientswhomayhaveaccessed morethanoneservice. The percentages donotincludeclients The Communityweassisted Performance Highlights Were providedwithassistancefromaninterpreter 10 Were asentenceofimprisonment serving 22 Were overseas born 20 Were overtheageof65 4 Were undertheage of18 9 Identified themselvesas Aboriginaland/or Torres StraitIslanders 43 Lived outsideamajorcity/town 6 Benefits Received Government 44 % % % % % % % % northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 005

% % % % % COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION SERVICES COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION LEGAL INFORMATION & REFERRAL LEGAL INFORMATION 2 60 16 LEGAL ADVICE PROVIDED 14 SERVICE DUTY LAWYER 8 LEGAL REPRESENTATION These percentages represent the distribution of total services provided during 2018-19. The Commission provided a total of 31,740 services provided a total The Commission (30,612 in 2017-18) in 2018-19 The Services we provided northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 006

Financial Summary Performance Highlights

Operating Expenses Operating Revenue (continued)

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 007 Youtube channel Youtube 238,377 Legal Information accessed through the Northern Territory Law Handbook website 11,808 Plain language legal information accessed through the LawInfont website 33,426 posts Social media users reached by our Facebook 18,200 Views to our 22,905 Legal publications we handed out 145,638 Visits to our website Snapshot of informationSnapshot 2018-19 and publications northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 008 The Commissioners Board ofthe Winston ChurchillMemorial Trust. Charles DarwinUniversityFellow andistheNTDirectorfor is amemberofthe Australian Institute ofCompanyDirectors, a Justice fromNew York University. Suzanreadatthe Victorian Bar, University ofNewSouth Wales andaMasterofLawsinCriminal NAAJA) inDarwin. SuzanholdsaBachelorofLawsfromthe for CAALAS(now NAAJA) in Alice Springs and NAALAS (now law since1979andpreviouslyworkedasacriminallawyer appointed QueensCounselin2004. Suzanhasbeenpracticing Suzan hasbeentheDirectorofNTLACsince2002andwas Suzan CoxOAMQC Sector Management. University ofSydney, aswellaGraduateCertificateinPublic a Bachelorof Arts (Honours) and a Bachelor of Laws from the 1990 toworkasan Associate intheSupremeCourt. Shehas Aid Commission. JudgeMorrisfirstcame to the in Territory legal career included nine years with the Northern Territory Legal and theDeputyCoronerforNorthern Territory. Herearlier being theExecutiveDirectorofRacing, Gaming and Licensing CEO oftheDepartmentJustice. Herpreviouspositionsinclude Local CourtJudge, in April 2010, beingtheDeputy formerly of the Attorney-General. She was appointed as a Magistrate, now 2010, ontheBoardasanappointee havingpreviouslyserved Judge MorriswasfirstappointedastheChairinSeptember Chair Elizabeth Morris with section6ofthe management. The Commissionersareappointedinaccordance strategic guidance for NT Legal Aid and effective oversight of The roleoftheBoardCommissioners is toprovideoverall Commissioners’ Role Legal Aid Act. Aid Legal

the Australian InstituteofCompanyDirectors. of Business, isaCertifiedPractising Accountantandamemberof Department of Treasury andFinance. SamanthaholdsaBachelor Senior DirectorofEconomicPolicy andCommercialwiththe undertaken strategicandoperationalrolesiscurrentlythe development, procurement and governance. Samantha has withexperience in financial management,public servant policy as the Treasurer’s nomination. Samanthaisalongstanding Samantha joinedasaLegal Aid Commissioner inMay2013 Samantha Byrne the Northern the Northern Territory; fortheaged and specialisinginservices developing policyandprogramsfor theDepartmentofHealthin from refugeebackgrounds. Hehasover20yearsexperience Australians, theaged, peoplewithdisabilitiesand people Ali has worked extensively throughout Australia with Indigenous Somali NationalUniversity. from University ofSydneyandaBachelorMedicine&Surgery since 1985. Ali holdsaMasterofPublicHealth degreefromthe Originally from Somalia, Ali has lived in the Northern Territory Ali Nur of Melbourne. University of Adelaide andaMasterofLawsfromtheUniversity She holdsaBachelorof Arts andaBachelorofLawsfromthe and asalectureratCharlesDarwinUniversity(2001to2005). worked asasolicitorinprivatepracticeDarwin(1987to2000) Department ofHealth. Meredith Priortojoiningthepublic service for theNorthern Territory forthe andDirectorofLegalServices 2016. PreviouspositionsincludeDirectorLitigationatSolicitor General andJusticewasappointedasaCommissionerin Currently theDeputyCEOofDepartment Attorney- Meredith Day northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 009 Tessa Czislowski Tessa Commissioner in October Aid was appointed Legal Tessa primarily Tessa of the Law Society NT. 2017 on the nomination Ward firm, Territory law and works for local practises in family in Territory admitted to practise in the Northern was Tessa Keller. Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Charles 2011 having attained a is the current Chair of the Law Society NT Tessa Darwin University. having been appointed to the Committee Law Committee, Family Dispute in Family a Graduate Diploma holds also Tessa in 2015. Resolution Practitioner. Dispute a Family Resolution and works as

including legal. Chrissy was appointed as a Legal Aid Commissioner in May Aid Commissioner Chrissy was appointed as a Legal to the 2017 following her election as the staff representative Aid since 2009 She has been a lawyer with NT Legal Board. Chrissy served as and is a senior lawyer within the crime section. Association from the vice-president of the NT Criminal Lawyers Chrissy was born in Darwin and studied law at 2013 to 2015. graduating in 2008 whilst she was an Charles Darwin University, Prior to commencing her legal Riley. Trevor Associate to Justice Chrissy studied Human Resources at Monash University career, in Melbourne Resources Human extensively in and worked industryManagement across a broad range of sectors, Chrissy McConnel people with disabilities. Ali spent time working with Indigenous working with Indigenous Ali spent time disabilities. people with and servedAustralia as the Director of in Central communities Melaleuca Refugee Centre. emergency Humanitarian OXFAM’s with also worked Ali has 2001 earthquake in Gujarat the Timor; responses team in East in Sri Lanka. (India) and the 2004 tsunami Ali is the Secretaryon the Board for the Refugee Council of Australia and a member of its GovernanceAustralia and a member and Finance Subcommittee. northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 010 ...... Administrative Support...... Legal Secretary ...... Crime SectionSupervisor Support Worker...... Social YouthJustice Worker...... Solicitors...... Senior Counsel...... Managing Solicitor...... Criminal LawPractice Darwin Deputy Director...... Executive Assistant...... Director...... Directorate As at30June2019thefollowingpersonswereemployed: Our Employees Our StaffandDevelopment Jacqui Bayne (On Parental Leave) Christine Salaa Mark Wright Haley Richardson Jacqueline MacDonald Rebecca Naylor Position Vacant Eleanor Martin Katherine Shepherd Mark Jehne(onleavew/opay) Julia Ker Fiona Kepert Chrissy McConnel Ian ReadSC Ambrith Abayasekara Fiona Hussin Bianca Aloisi Suzan CoxOAM, QC Administrative Support...... Legal Secretary Family SupportCase Worker...... Solicitors...... Managing Solicitor...... Family LawPractice Outreach Solicitor ...... Outreach ManagingSolicitor..... REALS Solicitor...... Solicitors...... Managing Solicitor...... Civil LawPractice ...... Cassandra Martin Kanessha Elber (On parentalleave) Chloe Stoddart Sarah Carbone (On Parental leave) Roshelle Dell Bethwyn Lovell Emma Cook Linda Farantouris (On Leavew/oPay) Patrick Govey (On Parental Leave) Nicola MacCarron Aditi Srinivas Natalie Scattini Anneleise Hey Jaquie Palavra Asta Hill Alina Leikin Jon Bortoli Rachel Athaide Julian Vido Hannah Quadrio (On parentalLeave) Alison Crouch Shelley Landmark Leah Siebert Alison Hanley northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 011 Barbara Lelli Leeanne Morris Karen Markos Amanda Bamford Randall Manoharan Jacinta Lacey Robert Goldsmith Billy Tarrillo Kayla Drysdale Lucia Vorrasi Melinda Schroeder Melissa Kirstenfeldt Monica Settele Anthony McDevitt Jessica Hill Helen Edney Cassidy McCauley Nadia Goad ...... Corporate Services Corporate Services.... Manager Human Resource Manager Administrative Support...... IT Systems Engineer...... IT Support Officer...... Administrative Support...... Palmerston Manager - Information and Referral Services...... Administrative Support...... Legal Aid Helpline...... Library Services Library and Information Coordinator...... Claire Wyatt Elizabeth Scholz Emma Schluter Sue Phoo Baylis Tina Ashton Messell Samantha Work Braedon Cunnington Brown Tara John Jablonka Shelley Alvarez Sherinald Shwe Nunuk Andayani Position Vacant Position Jessie Wallace Melissa Kingham Jones Taylor Kellie Klonaris Solicitor...... Conference Coordinator...... Family Dispute Resolution Family Supervising Solicitor...... Supervising Solicitor...... Grants Manager...... Administrative Support...... Grants Section Early Intervention Services and Prevention Community Legal Education Officer...... Multicultural Educator...... CLE Project Officer...... Administrative Support...... Indigenous Community ...... Liaison Officer ...... Indigenous Liaison Officer Legal Secretary...... Administrative Support...... northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 012 ...... Administrative Support...... Legal Secretary Social Worker ...... Solicitors...... Policy Officer...... Managing Solicitor...... Alice Springs Administrative Support...... Managing Solicitor...... Tennant Creek Administrative Support...... Legal Secretary Support Worker...... Social Solicitor...... Managing Solicitor...... Katherine Our StaffandDevelopment ...... Mariko Toyoda Karren Lau Jodi Eastwell Emma Hohn (On parentalLeave) Anne Coleman Taranjeet Thandi Position Vacant Position Vacant (On parentalleave) Alexandra Wright Kate House Elanor Fenge Rennie Anderson Russell Goldflam Carly Ingles Rosanne McKenzie Kevin Banbury Terry Dunt Cassie Lamb Tammy Frean Claire Hockin Thomasin Opie

Administrative Support...... Legal Secretary Safety & Wellbeing Coordinator...... Solicitors...... Managing Solicitor...... Domestic Violence LegalService (PSO) in Honiara. NT Legal Aid Lawyer, Ambrith Abayasekara, reverse twinningprogramwiththe SIPublicSolicitorsOffice As partofthisarrangement, NTLegal Aid participatedina various LawpracticesandCorporate Services. from May20toJune72019. Tina spentherplacementwiththe The Commissionalsohostedan Administration Officer Tina Haro placement wascentredaroundtheCivilandCriminallawpractices. Legal OfficerGeorgeGrayfromMay7toJune7, 2019. His the provisionoflegalservices. This yearNTLegal Aid hosted provide maximuminsightintotheCommission’s operationsand and trainingthrougharangeofactivitiesthataredesignedto opportunity forparticipantsfromSItogetfirsthandexperience under theSolomonIslandsJusticeProgram. Itisagreat This programisfundedbythe Australian Federal Government Aid hasparticipatedintheprogramforlast5years. peer program that hosts a lawyer from SI for six weeks. NT Legal The SI–NTLegal Aid Twinning Programisanannualpeer-to Commission (NTLegalAid)TwinningProgram Solomon Islands(SI)–NorthernTerritoryLegalAid 9 volunteers. professional supervision. DuringtheyearNTLegal Aid hosted as farispracticable, inavolunteercapacitywhilstunder encourage personswhoarenotlegalpractitionerstoparticipate, Under section 8 of the Volunteers (continued) Legal Aid Act the NT Legal Aid shall Siobhan Wolsey Denise Oliver Sachini Gamage Position Vacant Esther Nambiar Annabel Pengilley

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 013 Male (15) Male (86) Female Executive (5) Executive (37) Professional (59) Adminstrative Male (15) Male (86) Female Executive (5) Executive (37) Professional (59) Adminstrative 37% 37% 12% 12% 5% 5% Gender Staff Staff Gender Male (15) Male (86) Female distribution Staff Staff Executive (5) Executive (37) Professional (59) Adminstrative 88% distribution distribution Male (15) Male (86) Female Executive (5) Executive (37) Professional (59) Adminstrative 88% distribution

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- Administrative Grades; -Administrative 5 SP -SeniorProfessional Grades(LegalOfficers). SAO -Senior Administrative Grades; 10 (continued) 15

EO-ExecutiveGrades; 20 2019 (Total= 101) 2018 (Total= 103) northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 015 Conflict Resolution Skills Law Accessing Family People ATSI The Needs Of Considering Congress 2018 CPA Cross Cultural Training Violence Fundamentals And Family Dawn House - Domestic Training Dementia Awareness The Law And DVF Fundamentals & DFN Group Working Dispute Resolution DV Fundamentals Law Conference Family Financial Decision Making New Manager - Communication Skills For Foundational Program Training ICL - Online Trafficking Identifying Indicators Of Clients Your Identifying Legal Issues For People Young Justice For Act 2017 The New ICAC Key Concepts Of Assembly Know Your Language And The Law III Law Society - CPD - 2018 Money Laundering A Sometimes Application of Legal Ethics: The Law Society - CPD - 2019 Inexact Science A Critical Skill Affidavits - Law Society - CPD - Drafting Law Society - CPD - Enhance your Practice decision making for defending clients with Law Society - CPD - Forensic mental health issues in the criminal jurisdiction Prep Trial Law Society - CPD - Jury Law Society - CPD - Managing Upwards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2018 Dismissal Of Charges By Reason Of Mental Impairment2018 Dismissal Of Charges By Conference & Juvenile Justice Youth 2018 National Indigenous Authority 2018 Recent High Court Protected and Freedoms: Rights Traditional Law Society - CPD - 2019 AAI Witness Advocacy - Vulnerable Skills Justice - Building Bridges/ Breaking Barriers To Access AFP Information Session AIS With - Working Interpreters Training Money For Value Assessing Approach For An Evaluative Training Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Anglicare NT - 2018 Workshop Annual NT CLE 2019 Workshop Annual NT CLE Applied Suicide Intervention ASIST - Suicide Intervention Assessing Risk & Promoting Safety Forum Management CDU - Performance Challenging Unconscious Bias Workshop And Neglect Prevention/ Mandatory Reporting Abuse Child Child Inclusive Practice Forum Conference Training Court Practitioner Children’s Virtualization Instructor Citrix - Law Society - CPD - 2019 Civility and Professional Courtesy in the Courtroom CLANT Conference 2019 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • During the year various members of the staff were involved During the year various The nature of the programs in staff development programs. courses. training and seminars, workshops, conferences, included The programs included Staff Development northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 016 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Our StaffandDevelopment Peaceful Pathways To ResolveConflict & Dysregulation Pathways -DisengagementFrom Relationships, Adult Trauma Pathways -ChildCentredContinuumModel NTLAC CriminalLawPublicationsReviews Netgrrl Web Development-Social Media Training NDIS Training National ICL'sConference NAPCAN -ChildSafeOganisations NAPCAN -Child Reporting Absue andNeglectPrevention/Mandatory NACLC Conference My LegalCareer: To DesignOrGrowOrganically TrainingSlavery Modern MHFA - Youth MentalHealthFirst Aid Love Bites: RespectfulRelationship Training Resilience Leading With Law SocietyOfSA-DoliIncapax Law Society-CPD-Waiter! Is This Another LetterInMySoup Law Society-CPD-LawyerX: LessonsForPractitioner Every including tipsfordealingwithJudicialOfficers ofJuniorLawyers,Law Society-CPDMoreEffectiveSupervision Law Society-CPDMentalImpairment

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What RoleDo Values PlayInHowNFPSUseResearch And Knowledge? Webinar OnCulturallyInformed ADR Domestic Violence Family And By Child-FocusedParents ApproachesWhenWorking Affected - Webinar With Unpacking Domestic&Family Violence The SharkCage Canadian Arctic Of The The Application OfCriminalLawOn The IndigenousPeople The Animal Welfare Bill&Prosecutions The 8StrengthsOfResilienceFor Success Conference Start AtTheTopLaw Family St Johns-ProvideFrist Aid Media TrainingSocial Sharing And StrengtheningOurPracticeConference Sexual Assault ReferralCentre-InfoSession Session SARC Information Safe TalkSuicide AlertnessTraining Red Cross-MentalHealthFirst Aid Provide CPR Protect Your ClientsForm Being ‘Called Out’By The Coroner! Prepare &Practice'HardChats' With Clients, Colleagues&Counsel (continued)

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 017

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 The impact of policy decisions made by governments, decisions made by governments, The impact of policy economic and social factors alliance partners and broader and subsequent changes to client Changing demographics 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 challenges of the Aid strives to meet the continuing NT Legal into account our but also taking Australian context, the in NT, The diverse and isolated Australia. location in northern and central remoteness present challenges to population and geographical rural and regional service delivery. of our environment risks and challenges issues, The opportunities, 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 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 018 • • • • • • 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 Islander LegalServices, CommunityLegalCentres(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 2018/19 019

provide officers and agencies of the Commonwealth or the Commonwealth or and agencies of provide officers concerned State a assistance of legal the provision in and other informationwith such statistical as they reasonably require; make its services available to persons eligible for legal making by and offices, local such establishing by assistance within appropriate as it considers such other arrangements, funding limitations; determine of legal assistance as priorities in the provision of persons or classes of matters; between different classes services of duty lawyer arrange for the provision sittings at 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. National Partnership Agreement on Legal Service Delivery National Partnership 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 the Territories. between the Commonwealth and the States and • • • • • •

1990 as (NT)

Legal Aid Act provides that the NT Legal Aid shall: provides that the NT Legal ’). Legal Aid Act Legal Aid Act

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 legal profession; Aid considers if NT Legal and liaise and co-operate with, with arrangements reciprocal make do so, to desirable it 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 Aid considers it practicable so far as NT Legal to participate, under professional on a voluntary basis, and proper to do so, in the provision of legal assistance by officers; supervision, amended (‘the • • Section 8 of the • • • • Duties of the NT Legal Aid Commission the NT Legal Duties of under the Aid is established NT Legal Our Obligations Our northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 020 Commonwealth Governments. Section27ofthe NT Legal Aid isindependentoftheNorthern Territory and private solicitors. civil law matters through legal advice clinics and referrals to Free legal adviceisavailable in relationtocriminal, family and Legal Advice skills andresources, addressneeds andcoordinateourwork. Legal toshare Aid partnerswith otherlegalcommunityservices media, printandwebpublications, publiceventsandprojects. NT providers,sessions forcommunitygroupsandservice mutli- when needed. Educationisprovidedthroughinteractivelearning know theirrights, preventorreduce legalproblemsandgethelp NT Legal Aid provideseducationforthecommunitytohelppeople Community LegalEducation available fromNTLegal Aid’s Legal Aid Helpline. is Free andreferraltootherappropriateservices legalinformation andReferral Legal Information information, assistanceandcommunitylegaleducation. help fromoneofourdutylawyerservices, orlegalrepresentation, andreferral,information communitylegaleducation, legaladvice, providedbyNTLegal The services oflegal Aid taketheform the NTorsuchanauthoritybodyhasinterest. a lawoftheNTorininterestsbodycorporatewhich an authorityorbodyestablishedforapublicpurposebyunder or maybe, adversetotheinterestsof Territory, theinterests of to aproceedingormatterwheretheinterestsofpersonare, allows NTLegal Aid toprovideassistanceapersoninrelation the byNTLegal The provisionoflegalservices by Aid isgoverned Overview ofOurOperations Overview Legal Aid Act Aid Legal . Legal Aid Act Act Aid Legal

Guidelines whicharepublishedonthe Commission’s website. Assistance isprovidedinaccordance withNTLegal Aid’s (b) (a) • • • • • • During thisyear, wereavailableasfollows: dutylawyerservices limited representation. appropriate. Dutylawyersprovidelegaladviceandmay those Courtsand Tribunals intheNTas theDirectorconsiders areavailableatsuchsittingsof Free dutylawyerservices Duty LawyerServices of the Legal assistancemaybeprovidedinaccordancewithsection26 Legal Assistance assistance issought; and in respect of whichlegal legal practitioners the legal services or heisunabletoaffordthecostofobtainingfromprivate a personisinneedofthatlegalassistancebyreasonshe are requiredtopayacontribution. the costofprovidinglegalassistance. The majorityofclients condition that the assisted person contributes to part or all of assistance. The assistance may be provided free or on it isreasonableinallthecircumstancestoprovidelegal In mattersunderthe Courts inlocationswheretheCommissionhasanoffice. In criminallawmattersincludingyouthjusticeproceedingsat Tribunal. To peopleappearing beforetheMentalHealthReview To sittingsofthe Family andFederal CircuitCourts. Assistance LegalService. Family Violence Act through the Respondent Early and To respondents for proceedingsundertheDomestic Domestic Violence LegalService. To personsexperiencing domesticviolencethroughthe Legal Aid Act Aid Legal if: Care and Protection of Children Act Children of Protection and Care .

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 021

Legal Practices NT criminal include which practices legal conducts Aid Legal NT Legal Aid also auspices an family law and civil law. law, Violence Legal Service. independent Domestic Locations Katherine, Palmerston, NT Aid maintains offices in Darwin, Legal and provides limited services to Alice Springs, Creek and Tennant practitioners. other regions by utilising either its own staff or private NT Legal Aid also conducts outreach services of these outside community organisations prisons, including the courts, offices, and remote communities. Where a decision is confirmedis decision a Where reconsideration following or varied request may affected person the of NT officer an by , Legal Aid to a Review Committee for review. that the decision be referred consists of an officer of NT The Review Committee Legal Aid, a and an independent person with relevant private legal practitioner experience. Legal Aid Act . Legal Aid Act . Initial contributions of a minimum of Initial contributions of a minimum . Legal Aid Act An applicant for legal assistance may request that a decision An applicant for legal assistance may request or reviewed in in relation to a grant of aid be reconsidered the VI of accordance with Part Reconsideration and Review of Decisions Contributions and RecoveryContributions and Costs of section with accordance in collected are contributions Client 29 of the to determine, and make known to the public, guidelines to be and make known to the public, to determine, applications for legal assistance and in applied in considering the involving matters specified other to as decisions making exercise of discretion. website. Aid’s on NT Legal The guidelines are available Legal Assistance Legal Assistance Guidelines 12 of the Aid is required by section NT Legal $110.00 are usually imposed, except where the person is in except where the person $110.00 are usually imposed, also be Interim and final contributions may custody or a child. financial especially where a legally assisted person’s imposed, of a grant currency of the improved during have circumstances aid or they have been released from custody. Where possible NT Legal Aid may also recover some or all of the costs incurred in representing the client. NT Client contributions are an important part of Legal Aid’s funding base. northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 022 Our Offices service atNicholsPlaceinDarwin. service The Domestic operatesasanindependent Violence LegalService • • • • • • • • Located withintheDarwinofficearefollowingdivisions: Darwin Office Family DisputeResolutionProgram andPrevention Early Intervention Grants Section Civil Law Family Law Criminal Law Corporate Services The Directorate Darwin Office Darwin Commission bytelephoneoraudiovisuallink. provided infamilyandcivillawmattersfromotherofficesofthe conducted fromtheKatherineoffice. Legaladvicetotheregionis region asrequired. Free legaladvicesessionsincriminallaw, are are providedattheKatherineCourthouseandcourts in the andlegalrepresentationincriminallawmatters Lawyer services in criminal law.The Katherine office provides legal services Duty Katherine Office a weeklylegaladviceclinicfromthesepremises. law matters. The Domestic alsoconducts Violence LegalService throughout theweektoassistclientswithcivil, criminal andfamily Aid Helplinecallcentre. Legaladviceclinicsareconducted the DarwinswitchboardandismainlocationforLegal Aid in Palmerston. of It assists with operation and supervision The Palmerston officeprovidesstreetfrontaccesstoNTLegal Palmerston Office northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 023 Tennant Creek Office Tennant lawyer services Creek office provides duty and Tennant The Creek Tennant the at matters law in criminal representation legal law civil and law criminal in sessions advice legal Free Courthouse. region in family Legal advice in the office. are conducted from the from other offices of the Commission by law matters is provided link. telephone or audio visual activities including community legal The office conducts outreach issues that are relevant to the residents of education programs on Region. Creek and the Barkly Tennant legal and with to work collaboratively Aid continues NT Legal related services in the region. Staff atTennant Creek Office Alice Springs Office Alice Springs family office provides legal servicesAlice Springs in criminal, The Territory. and civil law in the southern region of the Northern and provide free Alice Springs Courthouse Lawyers attend the representation to persons requiring advice and duty lawyer conducted are sessions advice legal free addition, In assistance. per week and telephone advice is provided at the office three days to callers from remote areas. Springs prison and hospital to Alice the Solicitors also attend at as required. provide advice and representation northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 024 Our Principal Functions relevant stakeholders. Legal Aid’s and other broader engagement with Government representation (ifeligible), education, aswellinputtowardNT Assistance isprovidedthroughlegaladvice, dutylawyerservices, inclusive way. and navigate through the criminal justice system in an informed required andlawyersfocusonassistingclientstounderstand in arespectfulandconfidentialway. Interpretersareusedwhen integrity, accountability, honestyandtrust. areprovided Services Lawyers intheCriminalLawPracticeupholdvaluesof offences andforthosesuspectedofcommittingoffences. fair andappropriateoutcomesforpeoplechargedwithcriminal To provide specialist legal assistance aimed at achieving timely, Objective: Criminal LegalPractice efficient andeffectivemanner. areprovidedtothepeopleofNorthern services Territory inan Provide supportandinfrastructurewithinNTLegal Aid sothat Objective: Corporate Services provide directiontotheoperationsofCommission. In consultationwiththeBoardofCommissioners, manageand Objective: The Directorate • • • Duty Lawyerservices: • • • Legal Adviceservices: - - - - - arefreeandcanassistpeopleto: duty lawyerservices detention centres arealsoavailableatprisonsandyouth duty lawyerservices Creek and Alice Springscourts duty lawyersareavailableattheDarwin, Katherine, Tennant phone and/oraudiovisuallink Katherine, Tennant Creekand Alice Springsoffices, or by initial adviceisconfidentialandavailableatourDarwin, custody on-call telephoneadvicetochildrenandadultsinpolice the public provision offreespecialistinitiallegaladvicetomembers apply and/or vary bailconditions apply and/orvary Aid ortheprivatesector access legalrepresentationeitherthroughNTLegal adjournments obtain assistancewithsimpleguiltypleasor assess theseriousnessofacase matter obtain specialistlegaladviceabouttheirparticular northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 025 Darwin Duty Lawyer Service in the Local Court: including bail applications, negotiation applications, including bail in the Local Court: hearings in contested matters, pleas of guilty, of charges, and in the breaches of sentencing orders, committals, list of the Local Court in Darwin; Mental Health Diversion pleas of including bail applications, in the Supreme Court: pre-trial applications and jury trials on indictment, guilty, to mental impairmentapplications in relation and fitness for extensions of non-parole to stand trial and applications periods (for prisoners serving mandatory life sentences); applications, bail including Court: Justice Youth the in applications pre-hearing/trial referrals for youth diversion, applications regarding legal capacity “doli incapax” (including contested age), of years 14 and 10 between children for sentence reconsiderations; hearings, Representation of Children and Adults of Children and Adults Representation • • • Where aid is granted, specialist criminal law legal specialist Where aid is granted, representation to clients in practitioners provide ongoing Local Court and Supreme Court. Justice Court, Youth the in the Criminal Legal Practice Where possible the lawyers and factual allegations in an attempt to negotiate charges effective and matters in a timely, attempt to resolve criminal a close examination of This process involves balanced way. comprehensive and detailed as obtaining well as evidence undertake meaningful negotiations instructions in order to with police and Crown prosecutors. for granted also is representation circumstances some In Supreme matters in the appellate jurisdiction including the Court for and High Appeal Court of Criminal Court, judicial review and appeals, applications for special leave, matters referred on questions of law. • • Legal Representation • northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 026 adult clients. Darwin officenowhasasocialworkerdedicatedtoworkingwith generally undertakeamixofyouthandadultworkalthoughthe our Darwin, Katherineand Alice Springsoffices. Socialworkers in youthjustice. Specialistsocialworkersarenowbasedat a lawyerworkinginconjunctionwithsocialworkerspecialising Aid’s Youth JusticePracticeisconductedbyteamscomprising family issuesfacedbychildreninconflictwiththelaw. NTLegal adopt an holistic approach to resolving the legal, social and Particular skillsarerequiredfor Youth Justiceadvocateswho • • • • Our Principal Functions youth clientcaseplanningandmanagement. torepresentclientsincasesofconflictinterest; services referrals from Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslanderlegal byNTLegal at allcourtsserviced Aid, acceptanceof interstate prisontransfers; representations totheNTParole Boardandapplicationsfor Court, Youth JusticeCourtandSupremeCourt; applications forbreachofsentencingordersintheLocal Darwin Local Court Local Darwin (continued) for thisrole. is animportantpartofourworkandlawyersarewellqualified initiatives andlegislativechangesinvolvingcriminallawissues. It arising from theyouthjusticesystem,to issuesorconcerns policy andrelevantstakeholders asappropriateinrelation Government NT Legal Aid makessubmissionsandrecommendationsto available time and capacitytocontribute to submissions, Although ourlawyersintheCriminalLawPracticehavelimited Criminal Policy migrant background. programs, children, young people, andpeople from a refugee or legal educationinitiatives, particularlywithbehaviouralchange Lawyers intheCriminalLawPracticeareinvolvedcommunity Education northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 027

Our Family Support Caseworker provides support to Caseworker provides Support Our Family safety violence/ domestic with assists clients, vulnerable referrals to other agencies. screening and appropriate Australian Law Reform Commission - Review of the The Advisory Committee Law System Family Section’s Law Family Australia’s of Council Law The Executive Law Committee Law Society Family Territory The Northern Law Society Royal Commission Territory The Northern Sub-Committee YWCA Advocacy committee Rainbow Territory • education: Policy, law reform & legal to contribute and for advocate to continue lawyers Our inquiries including and legal processes, improvements in the law Australian Law Reform by the into the family law system to the Care and Stage 1 of the amendments and Commission Act (NT). Protection of Children in a variety of volunteer roles members also contribute Team such as: • • • • • • family law (parenting and property/financial disputes; family law (parenting and property/financial disputes; child support and parentage declarations); child in need of protection (child welfare); and domestic and family violence; best interests in the Federal representing children’s Law Courts Family Legal representation of parents/caregivers in Federal Family Family Legal representation of parents/caregivers in Federal Local courts in the areas of: Territory and - - - - Dispute Legal representation in lawyer assisted Family Conferencing) Law Resolution (Family Local Courts Circuit and Federal lawyer in the duty Free (child welfare matters) Legal task assistance legal advice clinics Free Community legal education The Family Law Practice is dedicated to helping disadvantaged Law Practice is dedicated The Family social associated and legal their solve people vulnerable and disputes, parenting breakdown, relationship from arising problems and child protection interventions. and understand the legal system, aim to help clients access We safety and responsibilities. protections, their rights, administration and support social legal, vibrant and committed Our of legal assistance and representation team provide a broad range wide through: Territory services to people • • • • • • Family Law Practice Family Objective: northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 028 them toprogressresolutionoftheircivillawproblems. provide helptoindividualswithparticularvulnerabilitiesenable regardless ofwheretheyliveinthe Territory. The objectiveisto Legal taskassistanceisavailabletoallNorthern Territory residents, • • • • assistance oftenincludes: carriage ofamatterinanongoing, orrepresentativecapacity. This hours percivilmatteranddoesnotextendtoasolicitortaking Legal taskassistanceisnotagrantoflegalaid, itislimitedtofour civil lawissues. provide ‘legal taskassistance’ to vulnerable people facedwith representation incivillawmatters. isto The focusoftheservice in the community who require specialised civil law advice and The Civil Law Practice continues to assist vulnerable people Territory.Northern the to vulnerableclientswhoareexperiencingcivillawproblemsin The CivilLawPracticeiscommittedtoincreasinglegalassistance Objective: Civil LawPractice Our Principal Functions carriage ofamatter. Advocating onbehalfofaclientwithouttakingongoing do something. Writing alettertoanotherpartyaskingthemdoornot Writing asubmissionletter. Preparation orassistancewithdraftingdocuments. (continued) • • • are targetedtoparticularclientsandlegalconcerns, including: which The CivilLawPracticehasanumberofspecificservices Targeted services treatment undertheMentalHealthandRelatedServices Act. (NDIS) andassistancetoclientswhoarereceivinginvoluntary motor vehicleaccidents, theNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme matters, complaints, health and other service personal injury, discrimination, consumerissues, welfarerights, housinganddebt of civil law areas including but not limited to employment issues, providesadviceandassistanceacrossabroadrange The service Areas oflaw and alsoconductssomegrantofaidmatterswhereappropriate. clinics toclientsintheKatherine, Palmerston andDarwinareas and Alice Springs. The CivilLawPracticealsoprovidesciviladvice remote andregionalareas, includingKatherine, Tennant Creek busyandhasreceivedmanyreferralsfrom continues tobevery living inremote, regionalandruralareasoftheNT. The service The CivilLawPracticeprovidesassistancetovulnerableclients Geographic reach annual report.). areprovidedlaterinthe abouttheseservices information The RespondentEarly (more Assistance LegalService The IndigenousOutreachProject; and A Health Justice Partnership with Danila Dilba Health Service northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 029 BagotTown Camp's 80 year celebration identified by key contacts in a number of communities. We number of communities. key contacts in a identified by for those sessions resources that were developed shared the in order partners community of non-legal training undertook and deliver the session to members to enable them to also effectively future. of the community in the development for the Outreach In an exceptionally positive we were able to recruit a local in December 2018 Program, Creek, Tennant Liaison Officer (ICLO) in Indigenous Community The role has been role in Januarywho commenced in her 2019. The Outreach the reporting period. hugely successfully during that having an ICLO has improved Lawyer in the Barkly reports competent safe and a culturally clients in with work our capacity to our capacity to pro-actively engage it increases Further, manner. provide additional support Creek community, Tennant with the where a place office is that our and ensure vulnerable clients for proud are We at ease. and comfortable members feel community opportunities we of the support and professional development who has entered a have been able to offer our Barkly ICLO, This first time. professional office working environment for the recently, most has included travelling to Darwin for training and, Community Legal Territory travelling to Katherine for the Northern Education workshop. Indigenous Outreach Indigenous culturally quality, high deliver to continued Law Practice Civil The legal servicessensitive and competent and to disadvantaged remote and regional in selected people Indigenous vulnerable through our Indigenous Outreach Territory areas in the Northern with key continued to build our relationship We Program. as well as legal and non-legal servicecommunity stakeholders the same client populations. providers who work with participated we organised and visits, As part of our community community events and community in a number of important trust with communities and This continued to build meetings. also arranged joint visits We our service. raise awareness about other serviceand community legal education sessions with Training HK ACCC, the including other legal services, providers, support services housing and our own community and Consulting, legal education staff. responsive, Over this period we have also continued to deliver community legal appropriate and accessible legal advice and the needs of the particular relevant to education sessions, community and in the best deliverystyle for the target audience. developed an innovative information and session on wills We which was a need End, Top matters following death in the northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 030 law and/orfamilydisputeresolution. rehabilitation, andforadviceinfamily accommodationservices specialist andgeneralisedcounsellingservices, drugandalcohol services. asneeded,This enablesreferralstoservices including social support mechanisms and referrals to legal and non-legal is toidentifyandaddressclientissues through theprovisionof an embeddedsocialsupportrole. The purposeofthisposition During theyearREALSwasabletocreateanewpositionof during theweekthroughapartnershipwithCatholicCareNT. order applications at Darwin Local Court and free advice clinics todefendantsofdomesticviolence provides adutylawyerservice whichisfundedbythe Services Australian Government. REALS Practice. REALSisaninitiativeofFamily Advocacy andSupport commenced inMarch2017andoperateswithintheCivilLaw The RespondentEarly (“REALS”) Assistance LegalService Respondent EarlyAssistanceLegalService Our Principal Functions (continued) relation topropertyorparentingarrangements. contact between parties to enable discussion and agreement in way ofpartiesreachingalegallyassistedagreementlimited assisted negotiations. A significantnumberofcasesresolveby Most mattersresolvequicklyandbyconsentaftersomelawyer feedback fromthecourts, theNTPolice andotherlegalservices. Now intoitsthirdyear, REALScontinuestoreceivepositive manner withconditionsthataresuitabletothecircumstances. violence recidivism and to resolve DVO applications in a timely Domestic Violence Order (DVO) breaches, reduce domestic Broadly, theobjectivesofREALSaretoreducenumber northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 031

Mental Health Mental Health continues to develop its expertise in The Civil Law Practice who are subject to compulsoryrepresenting individuals treatment In Act. Servicesorders under the Mental Health and Related duty lawyer representation and our lawyers provide free Darwin, before the Mental Health Review advice for clients appearing admitted to the Mental Health who may be involuntarily Tribunal or who may be subject to a Community Inpatient Unit in Darwin become have also we year last Over the Order. Management duty lawyer servicesinvolved in providing in to patients Alice Springs. in connection In addition to providing advice and representation the Practice has initiated several appeals of hearings, Tribunal with clients of behalf on Court Supreme NT the to decisions Tribunal who are mental health patients. the skills and experience of our mental health Over the last year, to navigate team have strengthened considerably as we continue the compulsorythe complex issues and tensions that arise in Our advocacy work has focused on ensuring treatment context. interference all that and fair procedurally are hearings Tribunal that is kept to the with the civil liberties of people with mental illness keeping with the principles of the Mental in minimum necessary, Act. Health and Related Services

Develop the skills of an employee of DDHS; and Develop the skills of an employee of DDHS; a legal Explore in more detail the benefits of embedding specifically the and service within a health environment, in a youth best model to meet the needs of young people justice environment. • continue to monitor the progress of this new initiative and look We the learningsapplying to forward informto it from of the design legal assistance services in the future. Danila Dilba Health Justice Partnership Danila Dilba Aid is very pleased that the Health Justice Partnership NT Legal Servicewith Danila Dilba Health (DDHS) which was established this Through throughout the year. in 2016 has continued assistance and advice legal provide to continue we partnership, every Strait Islander people week at Torres Aboriginal and to Aid staff continue to work NT Legal clinics in a range of locations. and identify understand to better DDHS from with staff closely can that problems legal have also needs health with people when stress their alleviate to Aid NT Legal from help resolved with be In 2019 this health and wellbeing. and improve their overall to include a secondment arrangement partnership was expanded placed with NT whereby an employee of DDHS is seconded and of the secondment is to: The purpose Aid (NTLAC). Legal • northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 032 contribute to reform acrossthe contribute toreform Territory. to increaseaccessandawarenessofdisabilityrights workscloselywithdisabilityandhealthorganisations Our service relation to the duration of NDIS plans and access to appeal rights. of Australia, whichsetalegalprecedentandclarifiedthelawin disability supports. This included anappealtotheFederal Court Darwin regionstosuccessfullychallengefundingdecisionsabout Since 2017wehaveassistedclientsintheremoteBarklyand contribute totheemergingbodyofcaselawrelatingNDIS. topeoplewithdisability,accessible legalservices andto The objective of thisassistance is to providehigh quality and Appeals Tribunal(AAT). and, insomecases, assistancewithappealstothe Administrative obtaining accesstotheschemeforfundingdisabilitysupports to theNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme(NDIS), including and representationtoclientswhoneedhelpwithmattersrelating Since 2017theCivilLawPracticehasbeenprovidingadvice National DisabilityInsuranceScheme Our Principal Functions (continued) people inayouthjusticeenvironment. specifically thebestmodeltomeetlegalneedsofyoung withinahealthenvironment,of embeddingalegalservice and Service, theCivilLawPracticehasbeenexploringbenefits Through theHealthJusticePartnership withDanilaDilbaHealth and development, bothindetentionandpost-release. receive atailoredpackageofsupportstoaidtheirrehabilitation Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to ensure that children assists children and their families with applications to the National disability amongst children in detention, the Civil Law Practice As thereisahighprevalenceofmentalhealthissuesand away fromtheirhome. aboutbeing transferredtoadetentionfacility who areconcerned to applyforleaveattendfuneralsandadvocating for youths detention. Examplesofthisassistanceincludehelpingfamilies to navigatethecomplexprocessesandpoliciesthatapplyin Practice, theCivilLawPracticeassistschildren(andtheirfamilies) in detention. IncollaborationwiththeNTLACCriminalLaw Territory, includingadviceinrelationtoconditions experienced children detainedinyouthdetentionfacilitiestheNorthern The CivilLawPracticeprovideslegaladviceandassistanceto Youth northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 033 Family Dispute Resolution Family What is Family Dispute Resolution? tryingwhen use people process is a resolution dispute to Family arrangements property or parenting about an agreement to come resolution ‘family dispute A mediator or without going to court. the FDRP is practitioner’ (FDRP) helps people reach agreement; They cannot an independent legal or social sciences professional. They encourage people to give legal advice or make the decision. a consistent and efficient manner. We continue to review and review to continue We manner. efficient and consistent a Aid guidelines. Legal update the NT ‘stage of matter’ number of the grants were reviewed and a Youth complexity the reflect accurately to more increased have grants matters. and time required in youth managed 41% of the family Law Practice Our In-house Family with the Criminal Law Practice managing files approved this year, were matters of remainder The approved. files crime of 74% referred to the private sector. Aid continues to recognise that work is often performed NT Legal without adequate remuneration and we by private practitioners put in by private would like to acknowledge the considerable effort Without clients. assist and our processes with comply to lawyers clients would go the support of the private practitioners many without representation and advice. NT Legal Aid is conflicted; or Aid is conflicted; NT Legal in-house. Aid does not have capacity NT Legal applications are received directly from private applications are received practitioners; - - Australian referred from North Provide grants of aid to clients Agency (NAAJA) Aboriginal Justice review and reconsideration administer the and Coordinate in relation process where the applicant appeals the decision to a grant of aid Dispute Resolution Conferencing Administer the Family Program Provide grants of aid to the NT Legal Aid in-house legal the NT Legal Provide grants of aid to practices clients with private solicitors where: Provide grants of aid to - • • • Torres Aboriginal and Applications from clients who identify as by 15% Strait Islander have continued to increase steadily compared with 2017/2018. relationship the and referrals in increase the manage To Grants Section continues to review and the between services, are handled in assess referral practices to ensure that referrals • • Grants Section Objective: northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 034 reach agreementinmorethan75%ofmattersweconference. be putbeforethecourtforjudgetodecide. Parties areableto settlement can be reached over time. It can reduce the issues to chance to air grievances and clarify issues. This may mean that a Even ifnoagreementisreached, aConferenceprovides their ownmoreliveableagreementatFDR. spent onlegalaid. For thefamily, itmeanstheycannegotiate For the community, this means less public funding has to be forseparatedparties.intervention suitablefamilylawmatteriseffectiveearly Conferencing every Why Conference? this canbedonewithintheconferencegrantoflegalaid. enforceable order. thatall Itisoneofthebenefitsourservice We and encourage partiestomaketheiragreementintoaformal orders filedwiththecourt, orotherwisewritten inaplan. law conference, and ideally to record their agreement in consent People are encouraged to have lawyers come along to the family including NTLegal Aid, iscalledfamilylawconferencing(FLC). The typeoffamilydisputeresolutionusedbylegalaidcommissions, to dividefamilyproperty. reach anagreementabouthowtoparentafterseparationor talk toeachotherconstructively about theproblemandifpossible Our Principal Functions (continued) • • • • • • • • How doweoperate? child-inclusive process. children, wecanincludetheinputofchildrenthrougha forcertainfamilies withschoolage As partofourservice Legal Aid. at other processesandservices chairpersons toinform The FDRteamobtainsfeedbackandwrittenreportsfrom ordered orlatelitigationconferences. We receive referralsfromtheFederal Circuit Courtforcourt- support, includinginterpretersatallimportantstages. We can assisteitherpartytoseeklegaladvice, orprofessional courts. separate orastheyheadtowardsahearinginthefamilylaw The FLCmighttakeplaceonlysixweeksaftertheparties an IndependentChildren’s Lawyer. Centre,Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslanderLegalService, or grant of legal aid, or be assisted by a Community Legal To beeligible, atleastoneofthepartiesmusthavea both. The disputemightinvolveparentingorpropertydivision their familylawdisputes. assisted Family LawConferencetohelpfamiliesresolve We ofalawyer- provide mediationorFDRintheform northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 035 Provide legal assistance that is appropriate, proportionate Provide legal assistance that is appropriate, capability. and tailored to peoples legal needs and levels of facilitate the Help people to identify their legal problems and before they resolution of those problems in a timely manner escalate. their legal Help empower people to understand and assert legal or prevent, rights and responsibilities and to address, problems. Early Intervention and Prevention Practice Objective: Agreement on Legal Pursuant to the National Partnership Assistance Services (2015-2020): • • • 2019 Development in Understanding of Memorandum new a have to excited are We Court to offer FLCs under the Northernplace with the NT Local aims to improve access to The Pilot Law Pilot. Family Territory matters intersect the child protection justice for families whose services hope to deliver under the We and family law jurisdictions. in law jurisdiction, on our successes in the family Pilot which build for those families who the Local Court, the related jurisdiction of mediated outcome. are most in need of a carefully The Team of our Conference Co-ordinator - who The FDR team consists to involved all with liaises and FLCs for applications the handles Dispute Resolution - and two Family schedule the conference external also rely on a panel of FDRPs We Practitioners (FDRPs). and Springs Alice Darwin, across conferences provide help to for videoconference, or telephone by be may (these Katherine FLC with their clients lawyers attend the Family interstate parties). including advice throughout the process, to provide support and for the FLC and redrafting them drafting orders in preparation at the FLC. when agreement is reached appointed by the Lawyer has been If an Independent Children’s about be consulted They will to our FLC. will be central court they of kind and what the FLC for arrangements other timing and the orders they would suggest. for a private child we arrange the child inclusive process, For their school-age psychologist to meet with parents and then children and to report back at the FLC. work closely with related services and namely the Family We with court registry staff and Aid, Grants sections of NT Legal Relationship Centre external agencies such as the Family related important especially is This Network. Pathways Law Family and when we need to give a joined up service to clients who need more support. northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 036 assistance. The Helpline then initiatescontactwith the people receives referralsfromSupportlinkforpeoplewhomayneedlegal four majorhospitalsintheNTand Territory Housing. The Helpline help. Referrals fromSupportlinkcometheNTPolice, the throughout theNT, providingassistancetopeoplerequiringlegal The Commission continues to partner with of 7.31%fromthepreviousyear. being providedwithassistanceduring2018-2019, anincrease continuestoexpandwith19,278callers callers totheservice andassistancetocallers.provide information The numberof training, andparticipateindevelopingon-line resources to Helpline staffcontinuallyengageinprofessionaldevelopment are providedtocallers. obtain afreelegaladviceappointment. Often allthreeoptions understand their problem better, or they may assist the caller to toreadhelp they maybesentsomedetailedinformation assist theclient: theymaybereferredtoanother helpfulservice, obtaining keyinformation, theHelplinemaytakeseveralstepsto Helpline speakwithaparalegalanddiscusstheirproblem. After be unsurewheretogethelpwiththeirproblem. Callerstothe assistance topeoplewhohavealegalproblem, orwhomay throughout Australia. The Helplineprovidesconfidentialhelpand operators, andreferraltocallers providinglegalinformation The Helplinehasoneparttimeandtwofullparalegal Referral Strategy. The Legal Aid HelplineoperatesunderNTLAC’s and Information Legal InformationandReferral Our Principal Functions Supportlink (continued) • • • • in fourfocusareas: ensure limitedresourcesaredirectedtowardsmeasurablegoals (2017-20), setspriorityaims, audiences, topicsandmethods, to organisation’s educationactivities. A three-yearCLEstrategy The CommunityLegalEducation(CLE)teamcoordinatesthe and dutiesunderthelawsinforceNT. having specialneedsinthisrespect)ofrights, powers, privileges promote publicunderstanding(especiallysectionsofthe out educational programs designed to initiating and carrying The Community LegalEducation oranappointment toobtainlegaladvice.information provide assistancetothe client, whether it isbyproviding legal client. The Helplinemakesthecallanddiscussesbestwayto awayfromthe the stressesofinitiatingcontactwithlegalservices requiring legal assistance and/orlegal advice. takes The service Legal AidActstatestheimportanceofCommission widen accesstolegalinformation. Distribute arangeofaccessibleeducationmaterials–to of legaltopics. providers andcommunitymemberscapabilitiesonarange Deliver quality education and training– to strengthen service respond welltolegaleducationneeds. Strengthen collaborativepartnerships-toidentifyand are relevant, currentandknown. Engage withcommunities-toensureeducationprograms northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 037 Face to face education sessions with community members members with community sessions face education to Face and service providers; events; Interactive public awareness and kit film, and materials in print, A range of publications digital formats; serviceother and legal for skills effective in providers Training and approaches for delivery of community legal education and information; Networking widely; and meetings and workshops; Hosting forums, Undertaking projects with a range of partners. How do we do it? How do we CLE activities include: The Commission’s • • • • • • • the CLE team works to strengthen the CLE capabilities Internally, and use clear and consistent develop Aid staff; of all NT Legal for CLE and build a broader evidence base guidelines for CLE; and a culture of evaluation. CLE Workshop Katherine young people; diverse newly arrived or vulnerable culturally and linguistically (CALD) communities; remote communities not servicedby other organisations; and other vulnerable groups. Who do we do it for? are vulnerable people from diverse Our priority audiences means anyone with a This the NT. backgrounds from across addressing to barriers greater and problems legal of risk higher reaches broader audiences than It these due to social isolation. Current priorities are: potential legal practice clients. • • • • What do we educate about? partnering with Aid delivers education in all areas of law, NT Legal in areas outside other agencies to facilitate effective education Key messages ensure people know where our practice expertise. informationget to of range a address and prevent to help and legal issues. Why do we do CLE? Why do we their the law, and understanding of access to improve people’s To and solve legal problems. minimise rights and ways to prevent, system legal improve capability, legal community build to Also social outcomes. responses and thus improve northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 038 highlight thisworkwere: align withtheirlegalneedsandcontexts. Someexamplesto diverse NTcommunitiesin2018-19andensureourprograms The Commissionundertookarangeofactivitiestoconnectwith 1. Engagingcommunities focus areas: range ofinnovativeprogramsunderthe2017-20CLEstrategy’s at June2019. Howevertheyearsawafurtherstrengtheningof Coordinatorrolewasnotfilled constraints theLegalInformation Youth Educatorand Administrative Officer. Duetofunding Leader, Coordinator, LegalInformation MulticulturalEducator, Education (CLE)teamcomprised5dedicatedpositions: Team During 2018-19, NTLegal Aid Commission’s CommunityLegal Community Legal EducationActivities 4. 3. 2. 1.

Distribution ofaccessible, up-to-datelegalinformation. ofqualityeducationandtraining Delivery Strengthening collaborativepartnerships Engaging communities International student well being session being well student International • • • • • Commission staffattendedandcontributedto: • • • • The Darwinandruralworkerswithyouthnetwork Services) The Multicultural ForumAdvisory (Department of Human (convened byMelaleucaRefugeeCentre) The DarwinRefugeeandMigrantSupportNetwork slavery, forcedmarriageanddomesticservitude andcommunity awareness onissuesofmodern information The Anti-Trafficking workinggroupdeveloping referrals, in Side toexplorefamilyharmony Australia which beganthemulti-agencycommunityprogramSideby Multicultural Affairs, CommunityEducation Working Group The NTGovernment’s Ministerial Committeeon Advisory Regular weeklyoutreachvisitswithmigrantEnglishclasses. sessions fortheNTCorrectionsFamily Violence Program. ofeducation delivery Coordinating NTlegalservices’ kits onbailandfamilyviolence. and use of the Forums toengageregionalstakeholdersinthepromotion school wellbeingexpos. welcome day, worldrefugeeday, courtopendaysandhigh Interactive displaysandactivitiesforthedefencefamilies’ Blurred Borders cross border legal education northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 039

, Facebook page a Facebook YouTube channel of educational YouTube

plain language legal informationLawInfoNT plain language legal is a website The with a steering group comprising project of the CLE network Australian the Aid, NT Legal 2019 of in representatives Australia Relationships Competition and Consumer Commission, Women’s Australian the Central the NT Council of Social Services, Agency. Aboriginal Justice Australian Legal Service and the North Twitter account and a Twitter network holds a meeting every The months by 2 film resources. Katherine and Creek, Tennant Alice Springs, videolink between development workshop in a Darwin and an annual professional different NT location. A key role is convening the NT-wide CLE Network, Network, CLE NT-wide the convening is role key A other than 50 legal and members from more with 200 valuable information sharing agencies email an via an online shared calendar, group, SilverAnniversary NT Law Hand book The Domestic and Family Violence Network Violence Network and Family The Domestic Assault Violence and Sexual Australian Family The Central Network The Service Forum Providers Services Network Youth and Rural Palmerston September workshop, Education Legal NT Community The June 2019 (Katherine) 2018 (Alice Springs) and Association of Community Legal Centre’s The National August 2018 annual conference in Sydney, 2019 The Reintegration Puzzle Conference Darwin June Strengthening collaborative partnerships NT Legal Aid partners with other relevant agencies to deliver legal Aid partners with NT Legal mix a ensuring resources, expertise, sharing activities education qualities and inclusive practice. of skills, 2. 2. • • • Aid staff showcased learning from their work at: NT Legal • • • and benefit from The CLE team was also able to share skills with Butterworth Erin and (UQ) internsof contribution the Lye Hayley (ANU). • northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 040 • Collaborative frontlineeducationprogramsin2018-19included: NT LawHandbookcontributorsawardsin2019. thank thelargeanddedicatedteamofcontributors, weheldthe the joysandchallengesofproducingthisimportantreference. To celebrations wereheldincludingapanelwhosharedsomeof Legal Service. In2018, theNTLawHandbook25thanniversary is acollaborativepartnershipwith AustLii andDarwinCommunity aroundtheNT,Government, andlegalservices privatefirms and The NTLawHandbookhasover70contributorsfrom financialcounsellingprograms.Services Community andpartnerssuchasSomerville from legalservices andmore.services The planningcommitteecomprisesstaff social work, familyviolence, youth, financialcounsellors, legal attract participantsfromdiversesectorsincludingeducation, practical skillsforlegaleducation. The workshopcontinuesto registrations toanall-timehighof70peopleattendinglearn providers took the workshop and enthusiasm of local service driven educationprograms. InJune2019, Katherinehosted highlighted intheareasofculturalcompetenceandcommunity This allowedCentral Australian initiativesandbestpracticetobe location sincetheworkshophasbeenheldannually2014. 2018 in Alice Springs - the first time ever in a regional NT professional developmentworkshopwasheldinSeptember The Network’s annualNTCommunityLegalEducation Community Legal EducationActivities Working Women’s Centre, UnionsNTinpartnershipwith Anti-Discrimination Commission, DeptofImmigration, NT exploitation ofmigrantworkerswithspeakersfromthe in Australia Forum in August 2018toraiseawareness of Alice SpringslegaleducatorsheldtheLivingand Working • The • • • knowledge aboutthelegalsystemandtheirrightsoptions. civil orfamilylawbutinvolvedhelpingpeoplewithfoundational financial year. Overhalfofthese werenotspecifictocriminal, activities and audience members reached during the 2018-19 The snapshot table below shows the number of education 3. and training of qualityeducation Delivery community culturalgroups. conversations aroundrespectfulrelationshipswithdiverse providerspacetocreate the CALDcommunityservice Day aswellatBagot Town Camp’s 80yearscelebration. celebrations, World RefugeeDay, and World Homelessness jointlyheldstallsatNAIDOC Darwin legalservices Violence Orderstovariouscommunitymembers. Borders educationkitsanddeliveronDomestic providersintheuseofBlurred training forservice workedtogethertoplananddeliver Katherine services bright andengagingartworksonsite. abouttheir legalrightsandproduced young peoplelearnt festivalin people atthedesertharmony August 2018where hostedanactivityspaceforyoung Barkly legalservices Springs MulticulturalCentre. members onworkissuesin April 2019heldatthe Alice was followedbyaninteractiveforumformigrantcommunity agencies,government unionsandtheprivatesector. This Side byproject-workingwithstakeholdersin (continued) northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 041 Desert Harmony FestivalTennant Creek school left this out of curriculum from February 2019. Not to be February 2019. out of curriculum from school left this shifted focus to alternativeAlice Springs in programs deterred, the most vulnerable young people education settings targeting in the community. Annual Healthy School the Darwin High at station An activity students 1300 over with interacted 2019, May in Expo Living informationwith students providing age of years to 18 15 from to contact and takeaway packs of who their rights, about the law, Similar events were merchandise and healthy treats. information, School in 2018. run at Sanderson Middle 2019) is an annual education event Democracy Dash (June to help middle coordinated by the Electoral Commission designed and senior students learn about civics through the important work the CBD in a dash around Students institutions. of democratic Aid Legal race to visit as many agencies as possible - including and completing an activity at each location. delivered education and training sessions popular Other regular, How to find legal information – for service in 2018-19 include: domestic criminal processes and providers and training on bail, violence laws – using the Blurred Borders Project materials. 534 8,633 Total number of participants in these activities number of participants in Total Number of education activities delivered Number of education activities Snapshot of community legal education activities community legal education Snapshot of and materials 2018-19 The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities The Culturally and Linguistically deliver targeted education sessions program continued to the year to help new arrivals in to migrant groups throughout This was enhanced by the receipt law. Australia to understand the program to help Study NT of a grant from the NT Government’s overseas students to learn their rights through a series about work visas, of interactive workshops on topics such as student also delivered 2 rounds The program housing and money. rights, of training for service providers to understand their role in helping relation to family new arrivals understand the laws in particular in innovative using protection child and violence domestic law, of 10 years approaches developed over the Commission’s education in this field. the Legal Crew program continued to In partnership with NAAJA, school in Tivendale deliver fortnightly legal education sessions at to increase aims The program Centre. Detention Youth Dale Don and processes detainees’ understanding about the legal systems they are experiencing. Australia continued their program At the same time staff in Central NAAJA until the at the youth detention centre in partnership with northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 042 sheets. definitions in Yolngu Matha, audioresourcesandupdatedfact hits duringtheyear. Newresourceswerelinkedincludinglegal maintained andpromotedwidelywithanincrease to 11080 websiteLawInfoNTwas The NTplainlanguagelegalinformation tools, oneducationprograms. andprovidinginformation a printableformat, read, listentoornavigateusingaccessibility needed,it easier for people to find theinformation download it in promote andimprovethenewwebsite. Duringthisyearwemade broadcast toawidercatchment. To thiseffectwecontinuedto whichismuch easiertokeepupdateand information face delivery. Howeverthemainfocuscontinuestobeonline of publicationsduringtheyearmarkinganincreaseinfaceto In 2018-19theCommissiondistributed22,905hardcopies 4. Community Legal EducationActivities up todateinformation Distribution ofaccessible, Representing NT at the Blurred Borders Project. Borders Blurred the at NT Representing Output Statistics laws inrelationtobail, criminalprocessesanddomesticviolence. and education to people about the appropriate legal information providers to provide continue to enhance the capability of service staff. They areuseddailybyourstaffandarangeofothers intheNTalongwithcustomisedtrainingfor to over100services agencies. These highlyvisualeducationkitshavebeendistributed Suzan CoxQCalongwithrepresentativesfromotherNTand WA in July2018Kununurra WA, byNTLegal Aid’s Director (NT) throughtoKununurra(WA) region, wasofficiallylaunched department, workingintheKatherine involving8legalservices project fundedbytheCommonwealth Attorney-General’s The Blurred Borders two year (2016-18) cross-border education the previousyear). increasingto 238,377hits(from134,707in online platform The NTLawHandbook went fromstrengthtoinits

Publications distributed(hardcopies) YouTube minuteswatched YouTube views publications Facebook postreach Facebook totalviews Website pageviews: Website users: Snapshot of information and Snapshot ofinformation (continued) 2017-18 96,865 12,771 20,897 13,997 28,834 1,007 9,612 2018-19 145,638 19,225 22,905 41,600 18,200 33,426 1,096 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 043

16/1/2019 NT Nationwide “Dear Legal Aid, thank I would just like to the you for the help over I appreciate your years. guidance and patience help, I also like to thank with me. the non racial and honest representation over the I can tell you that years. because of this treatment I am a changed man and haven’t been in prison for almost seven years. kept me honest and You determined to turn my life around. Regards Damien Daniels”

Letter from Client Letter from The Community We Serve We Community The northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 044 Case Studies her identitydocumentssafeandavoid thishappeningagain. whose financialwellbeingteamdeveloped asafetyplantokeep Liaison Officer referred hertoourpartners, CatholicCareNT, After explainingthepositiveoutcometoclient, theCommunity client’s plightandwaivedthedebt. to createtheaccount. Nevertheless, theyweresympathetictothe Legal informed Aid that the client’s identity documents were used client andexplainedwhathappened. The telephone company NT Legal Aid contactedthetelephonecompanyonbehalfof Officer andaninterpreterwewereabletohelptheclient. how to use the phone. With the help of our Community Liaison where thecontractwassigned. Infactshedidnotevenknow as shehadneversigneduptothecontractnorattendedstore bill withthousandsofdollarsoutstanding. The clientwasshocked third languagesoughtourassistanceoveranunpaidtelephone An elderlyclientwholivedremotelyandspokeEnglishasher provided bytheCivilLawPractice. they need. The casesbelowareexamplesoftheholisticservice help providing themwithreferralssotheycangetthenecessary The Community We Serve The CommunityWe Serve privacy ofourclients. havebeenremovedtoprotectthe information clients werepresent. Namesandidentifying sample ofourcaseworkfromanumber The followingcasestudiesrepresentasmall ensuring fairaccesstojusticeaswell toourclients,aims toprovideaholisticservice The Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission Telephone debt referral toJustice Connect. Milan wasrelievedandgratefulfor theinitialassistanceand throughout theFairCommission conciliationprocess. Work enabled Milantoreceiveongoingassistance andrepresentation organization who provide public interest legal services. This Milan wasthenreferredtoJusticeConnect anotforprofit forms. application and thenassistedhiminfillingoutthenecessary civil lawhelpedMilanunderstandhislegalrightsandobligations Legal Aid lawyerswhoarehighlyexperiencedinmentalhealthand also sufferingfrommentalhealthissues. own. Compounding the stress caused by the dismissal, Milan was levels ofstressandwasunabletosubmitanapplicationonhis As aresultofhisdismissalMilanhadbeenexperiencinghigh application foranunfairdismissalwiththeFair Work Commission. (continued) job andsoughtLegal Aid’s assistancetofilean Milan hadrecentlybeendismissedfromhis Unfair dismissal northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 045 what Territory Families were asking for and why they were asking Families Territory what for it. helped him Law Practice gave him legal advice, Family Aid’s Legal concerns and helped him prepare Families Territory understand his court documents to join as a party to the proceedings. Aid then appeared for Bowen and helped him join the Legal Adelaide, who were helping Aid and NAAJA, Legal proceedings. to create Families Territory worked through the concerns raised by to come back into the care of the grandparents. Austin a plan for discussed Aid and NAAJA and met with Legal Families Territory input at a case the grandparents’ plans and provided their own Austin going back to his The parties agreed to conference. continuing to monitor Families Territory grandparents’ care with their care. the negotiations, The Judge was satisfied that after extensive with the assistance of their lawyers had developed a clear parties, and that it was in care Austin’s plan to address concerns about verywas Bowen returnto interests best his grandparents. his to his countryhappy to have his grandson back with family on within a couple of months. care and he Austin’s have been happy with Families Territory continues to remain with his grandparents. Child custody Austin lived in the community with his maternal Territory Bowen and Adelaide. grandparents, Austin’s raised some concerns about Families Family law law Family conference health and living conditions, removed him from his grandparents’ his from him removed conditions, living and health responsibility for care and applied to the Court to have parental him for a period of two years. but couldn’t Families Territory to Adelaide tried to talk Bowen and Bowen was very upset and came reach an agreement with them. about the Court process, He was confused Aid for help. to Legal

Paris was the primary to her two young children since Paris caregiver While the kids spent some Hamilton. her date of separation from most of their time was with Hamilton, of their school holidays spent with Paris. travelled interstate with holidays Paris During one of the school her children to visit her family. might not returnConcerned from their holidays, that Paris wrote to Paris lawyers Hamilton’s Hamilton sought legal advice. that if she didn’t return the two children back to the NT very soon, he would go to Court and ask for an urgent recovery order. who Law Practice for help, Family Aid’s came to Legal Paris Aid wrote a letter Legal opened a legal task assistance file for her. and holidays on kids the taken only had Paris confirming that and returned, wanted to go to a family law conference after they lawyers about this. also spoke with Hamilton’s and did not Hamilton was assured by this communication Aid to attend a applied for Legal Paris commence proceedings. parenting plan The parents negotiated a family law conference. without having to go through a stressful court process. 3 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 046 situation tohim. While theREALssocialsupport workerarranged The REALsSolicitorgotintouchwithMojaveandexplainedthe Mojave andhismotherforaperiodoffiveyears. that thepolicehadappliedforafullnocontactDVObetween Law Practice. bythepractice The REALssolicitor wasinformed Mojave wasreferredtotheREALssolicitorbyLegal Aid’s Criminal he wasinbreachofanexistingDomestic Violence Order(DVO). Mojave’s mothercalledthepolice. The policearrestedMojaveas damaged herpropertyandverballyabusedher. Fearing hersafety influence of drugs, Mojave was at his mother’s home and he Mojave sufferedfromsubstanceabuse. Onedaywhileunderthe (REALS). Legal Service providedbytheRespondentEarly holistic service Assistance get thehelptheyneed. The casebelowisanexampleofthe to justiceaswellprovidingthemwithreferralssotheycan to our clients,aims to provide an holistic service ensuring access C ase S The Northern The Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission early assistance Respondent tudies

(continued) both partieswanted. to support him through his rehabilitation process – which is what allowed forthepartiestohavecontactandMojave’s mother exclusion from mum’s home address was agreed. This order DVO ofnon-intoxicationconditions, allowingfordrugtestingand police obtainingthepositionofMojave’s mother)aproposed position. Through theREALSnegotiationswithpolice(aswellas The REALSsolicitorwroterepresentationstopoliceoutliningthat with hismother non-intoxication DVOaslonghecouldstillmaintaincontact instructed theREAL’s solicitorthathewouldconsenttoafiveyear overhisbehaviour.serious concerns Mohaveunderstoodthisand continued toworkwithMojavemakinghimawarethattherewere The REALSsolicitorandthesocialsupportworker, support ofhismother. to successfullycompletetherehabilitationprogramwithout substance abuse issues. He believed that he would not be able of supportinthecommunitywhowashelpinghimovercomehis to contacthismotherforfiveyearsasshewasonlysource Mojave wasquiteupsetbytheprospectthathewouldnotbeable after hisrelease. for a local rehabilitation centre to accept Mojave into their program northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 047 The first day’s workshop was entitled “Disengagement from “Disengagement was entitled workshop The first day’s and Dysregulation”.The Trauma Adult Attachment, Relationships, and experienced practitioners who work workshop was for new (FDRPs, and across the family system with separating couples, social family advisors, child consultants, lawyers, counsellors, relationships why on focusing than Rather others). and workers the how of relationship this workshop explored breakdown, we By looking at how the couple relationship ends, breakdowns. the difficulty of the role of separated co- can make more sense of couples do their co-parenting well, Why is it that some parents. the contributors to a clean ending What are while others cannot? more difficult? and what makes an ending “The Child Centred workshop was entitled The second day’s Mediation/ in Family Continuum Model – Increasing Child Focus participants were In participating in this training, ADR Processes”. the readiness of introduced to a tool that assists in identifying Scale Readiness Parent (the voice child’s their hear to parents to assist in collating child feedback around and a tool (PRS)), generally identified areas of concern for post separation children It also explored Concerns Scale (CYCS)). Youth (the Child and level of child the typologies of cases that would be suited to each involvement. The Network has had another informative year of information collaboration. training and sharing,

Top End Family Law End Family Top

Conduct cross sectoral training training opportunities several year there were Throughout the provided to the Network: from the (Canada) Yasenik Jon Graham (Australia) and Lorri provided Inc., Law InternationalFamily and Children Centre for two days of training in Darwin. and referrals. and referrals. Promoting awareness of servicesPromoting awareness kept up to date with sector relevant Network members are information including about programs, information on a daily basis, and funding procedures, and policies events, training, services, legislative changes. informationshare to basis regular a on meets Network The and servicebetween enhance collaborative relationships providers. Members are provided with an indepth overview of a local service to ask questions and or program with the opportunity understanding of the service to enhance client view facilities, . The Network maintains a membership of The Network maintains a membership Network. Pathways serviceof range a for working individuals 200 some providers, community NGOs, including Government departments, The Pathways students. and local businesses organisations, services; of awareness promoting are: objectives Network’s The Network meets these training. and conduct cross sectoral year as follows: objectives throughout the

The Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department funds the Department funds Attorney-General’s The Commonwealth Agency for the Auspice as the Commission Top End Family Law Pathways Network Pathways Law End Family Top northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 048 Information Management Publications areavailableuponrequest andfreeofcharge. Available publicationsarelistedontheCommissionswebsite Requests forPublications requestedafeemaybeincurred.and sizeofinformation OfficerbasedinDarwin.Information Dependingonthelocation local officeisunabletoassistapplicationsareforwardedthe can bemadeinpersonatanyoftheCommission’s offices. Ifthe by proofofidentitytofacilitatechecksandapplications Requests Procedure Manual. Applications must be accompanied requests areguidedbyNTLegal Information Aid's internal members withineachsectionandregionofNTLegal Aid. All requests aremanagedbyseniorstaff General information General Information https://infocomm.nt.gov.au/ Commissioners NT website at the Office of the Information A copy of the are available via Act and FOI request forms on acasebybasiswhereapplicable. inaccordance withthe of information Act andapplies exemptions Act. Onapplication, theFOIofficerarrangesallowablerelease Applications mustbemadeinaccordancewithsection18ofthe requirements. Act, privacyprinciplesandrecordmanagement information The Commission continually commits to complying with the system ofgovernment. accountabilityand participationinourdemocratic government access orcorrectpersonalinformation. Itisabout enhancing for accesstoNorthern Territory andto information government Freedom (FOI) gives an individual the righttoapply of information 2003 (NT) Act Information .

a prioritythattheCommission continuallycommitsto achieve. Commission, staffdevelopment, awarenessandtrainingremains management within the of efficient practices for information To maintainandenhancetheunderstandingimplementation responsibilities andstandardswithin theorganisation. Act (NT)toensure, maintainandimprove recordkeeping practicesmeetrequirementsundertheInformation internal and proceduresareregularlycontinuallyreviewedtoensure division,Services managesrecordsandarchiving. Processes NT Legal Aid's Registry Team, overseenbytheCorporate Records Management documents ofmorethan20pagesmayapply and a60cperpagechargeforphotocopyingorscanningof ...... published information otherthanpersonalor Access toinformation ...... Access topublishedinformation ...... Access toorcorrectionofpersonalinformation Fees Email: [email protected] Locked Bag11, DarwinNT0801 Commission TerritoryNorthern Legal Aid Officer The Information (www.legalaid.nt.gov.au) orinwritingto: Requests canbemadebyemailviaourwebsite isheldbytheCommission: The followinginformation Annual Reports Pamphlets (varioustopics) Booklets (varioustopics) Education Community Legal Publications information Personnel Client information Personal Law Reform Administration Manuals, Statistical, Policies, Financial NTCLAF Guidelines and ScaleofCosts Guidelines Legal Aid NT Other information Other information A$30.00 No Fee No Fee

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 049 88 00 66 11 1515 18/1918/19 , persons , Act C. Spurr C. Terrill E. Hubber M. Morton W. 1 1 1 9 12 17/18 2 3 1 22 16 16/17 R. Lawford R. Morley R. Johnson M. Nottle J. Atkins P. L.Weatherhead 3 1 2 17 12 15/16 . Under section 35 of the . 2 0 0 12 10 14/15 B. Piper B. Marris T. Franz J. Adams J. P.Timney Sharp J. Legal Aid Act

The demands on the fund have been: The demands on the Applications Received Approved Withdrawn Refused be Decided To who feel they have been adversely affected by decisions taken on affected who feel they have been adversely or review their application for legal aid may seek reconsideration of those decisions. Review Committee Role Committee’s decisions referred to the Committee under section review To 35(3) of the to view 9 During 2018-19 the Review Committee met on 9 occasions The outcome of their deliberations was that 1 decision client requests. and 0 decisions pending. was varied in favour of the applicant, Membership of the Committee 2018 -19) Year during the Financial (Members Participating Private Legal Practitioner: O’Loughlin B. Cheong P. Tregear P. Maley P. Independent person with relevant experience: Perry C. Roe H. being the Director or a person Officers of the Commission, employed by the Commission and holding a current practising certificate under the Legal Profession Act. A Messell Secretary to Committee: Statistical InformationStatistical on

Legal Aid Act D. McConnel D. McMaster G.

J. Stewart J. Terrill E. Stirk J. Our Committees Our Commission Appointees: Messell A. B Lelli M. Spazzapan M. Cheong P. Law Society Nominees: Spurr C. Membership of the Committee Director Deputy Director Committee’s Role Committee’s determine whether or not to grant applications for assistance To Aid Fund. under the Contingency Legal Contingency Legal Aid Fund Committee Contingency Legal The Northern Territory Contingency Legal Aid Fund (CLAF) was Legal Contingency Territory The Northern with section 44 of the established in accordance Northern Territory Contingency Northern Territory Legal Aid Fund 1 March 1993 with a seeding grant of $200,000 from the Law 1 March 1993 with a seeding Trust. Society Public Purposes financial assistance to eligible persons CLAF is available to provide Financial or defend civil proceedings. to enable them to bring cost of from CLAF to cover the reasonable is available assistance of pocket expenses that are necessarily disbursements and out of litigation including such items incurred during the course travelling expert witness reports, service fees, as stamp duty, CLAF does fees. expenses and expert witness court attendance costs or general not pay for solicitor or barrister professional or charges telephone photocopying, as such expenses office of CLAF appears in Note The financial position facsimile charges. 15 of the Financial Statements. northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 050 independent oftheCommission’s clientdatabase. NT Legal Aid asrequired. DVLSmaintainsitsownclientdatabase with guidance, bytheDeputyDirectorof supportandsupervision Administration Officer. The DVLS Managing Solicitor is provided the Safetyand Wellbeing Coordinator, OfficeCoordinatorand isstaffedbyaManagingSolicitor,The service twosolicitors, domestic violencemattersintheDarwinLocalCourt. Palmerston, andrepresentationfor andadutylawyerservice referrals atclinicsbytelephoneandinpersonDarwinCity providinglegaladviceand as aspecialisedstandaloneservice DVLS hasbeenoperatedbytheNTLegal Aid Commission Funded bytheNorthern Territory Government, since2009 of orexperiencingdomesticviolenceinthegreaterdarwinregion. providing advice, legal assistance and referrals for people at risk The Domestic ViolenceLegal Service Domestic (DVLS)corebusinesis Violence LegalService Share the Dignity handbags for distribution for handbags Dignity the Share housing, Centrelink, family law, financesandchildcare. in areas including safety planning, home security, child protection, domestic violence, andtoreceivepracticalsupportassistance to developunderstandingsaboutthenatureandimpactsof with theSWCtosharetheirexperienceofdomesticviolence, their safety and wellbeing. Clients have a safe therapeutic space women andchildrenaffectedbydomesticviolencetoincrease thatDVLSprovidestoourclients.service The SWCworkswith work oftheSWChasconsiderablyexpandedonbreadth we havecalledSafetyand Wellbeing Coordinator(SWC). The funded DVLStohostaLocalSupportCoordinator, aposition From November2016, has theCommonwealthGovernment by telephone. and referralsbothface-to-faceand and providinginformation where appropriate, takingurgentandnon-urgentbookings, effectively triagingclients, makingreferralstoplacesofsafety Officer, provideanimmediateresponsetocallersourservice, The DVLSfrontlinestaff, ourOfficeCoordinatorand Administration violence orders. domesticviolenceorders,and tovary includingpolicedomestic violence proceedingstoapplyfordomesticorders DVLS assistsapplicantsandprotectedpersonsindomestic

northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 051 Orders requiring the return of property; including a contested including Orders requiring the return of property; control use of the family pet to hearing over a perpetrator’s and intimidate a victim by the NT Local Court and the NT DVOs made or varied violence-related criminal Supreme Court in domestic proceedings where the DVO in circumstances Revocation of a Police purported victim was the primary aggressor Orders regarding terminations of residential tenancy tenancy replacement of making the and agreements agreements as part of a DVO intimate Orders requiring the deletion of non-consensual images and preventing their distribution or publishing Court outcomes Court outcomes Through our service and for applicants in private DVO applications DVLS obtained court DVO matters, protected persons in Police outcomes including: • • • • •

Share the Dignity handbags have been much 2019-2020. 2019-2020. where matters number of saw a our casework the year, Through violence had been seen by Police, victims of serious domestic at times as perpetrators, Families Territory the Courts and/or such as victims being locked with devastating consequences facing separated from their children and out of their homes, criminal proceedings. governmentwith collaborations Our non-governmentand charity Share agencies have included partnering with the national service our handbags receives program, Through this the Dignity. domestic filled with toiletries to distribute women escaping The violence. welcomed by clients of DVLS. In 2018-2019 DVLS began work on development of formalof development on work began DVLS 2018-2019 In service to articulate DVLS practice framework standards and forward to completing this work in approach and we look northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 052 • • • • • • • DVLS hasparticipatedinthefollowing: Policy, &legaleducation lawreform Domestic ViolenceLegal Service the Act Violence Acttoincreasevictimsafetyandprotectionunder proposed arangeofamendmentstoDomesticandFamily Through theNTG Attorney-General’s department, DVLS NTCOSS submissionon Victims ofCrimereforms NTCOSS DVworkforcecapacitybuildingproject Sharing Government’s Information Committee Advisory NTLAC representativefortheNorthern Territory when wegetitwrong The challengeforearlyrespondersandtheriskstovictims aggressoratadomesticviolenceincident?" or primary Strengthening ourPractice” Conferenceonthetopic “Victim As apresenteratthe Territory Families “Sharing and in thecriminaljusticesystem toimprovetheirexperiences experiences ofvictims/survivors Mapping workshop, fromthe whichaimedtolearn The Domestic NetworkJourney Violence JusticeReform Output Statistics Summary of major activities major of Summary Applications for Aid:Applications Total provided services Duty LawyerServices Sessions Legal Advice Free Approved Received Refused (continued) 14/15 267 189 611 189 0 15/16 268 224 681 224 0 16/17 298 239 715 237 2 17/18 367 247 641 245 2 18/19 341 731 219 219 0 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 053

Royal Darwin Hospital Emergency staff - CLE presentation staff - CLE Hospital Emergency Royal Darwin serviceand processes and DVLS on DV law to nurse practitioners midwives - Royal Darwin Hospital Royal Darwin Hospital Emergency staff on DV law and processes Danila Dilba - CLE presentation and DVLS service nurse practitioners to - CLE Violence Centre Family YWCA Domestic and service DVLS and and processes law DV on presentation to Home Coordinator DV workers and Safe at - CLE presentation on DV law and Catherine Booth House processes and DVLS service to DV workers on DV law Casuarina Senior College - CLE presentation media and and processes including safe use of social DVLS service with NTLAC to senior students in conjunction CLE team How to help VIOLENCE: “DOMESTIC DVLS presentation from to workers your client navigate the legal system” workforce a range of NGOs as part of the NTCOSS DV capacity building program • • • • • • • NT Interpreting & Translating Service – CLE on interpreting Translating NT Interpreting & in a legal setting and DV law and processes networks including: including Violence Network, Darwin Domestic & Family Territory representative to the Northern as the Network’s Group for the Working Cross-Agency Government’s Action Plan under its Domestic, implementation of the NTG’s 2018-2028 Violence Framework and Sexual Family Forum Assistance NT Legal Services Working Group NT Anti-Trafficking Violence Justice Reform Network Domestic Violence Court Users Forum Darwin Local Court Domestic DVLS provided formal and informal community legal education to community members and services including the following: • Community Legal Education • • • • • Networks and meetings in interagency In 2018-2019 DVLS participated northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 054 reported Bluey’s thefttothePolice buttheycouldn’thelp. after, MarkenteredherpropertyandtookBlueyagain. Charlotte if shegotaDVOhisreactiontothiswouldseehiminjail. Soon Order (DVO)againsthim. Markthreatenedherandtoldthat fearful andtoldMarkshewasgoingtogetaDomestic Violence As Mark’s threateningbehaviourcontinuedCharlottebecame when shewasn’tthere, andsaythatBlueywashis. him.not return MarkwouldtakeBlueyfromCharlotte’s house her lifebutcouldn’tbecauseMarkkepttakingBlueyandwould phone callsandtextmessages. Charlottewantedtomoveonwith After separating, Markharassed and threatened Charlotte through given her. no children. CharlottehadadognamedBlueythatherfamily Charlotte andMarkhadbeeninrelationshipforayear. They had domestic violence. does toassistpeopleexperiencing Here isanexampleoftheworkDVLS Case Study Domestic ViolenceLegal Service ordered Mark to return BlueytoCharlotte.ordered Marktoreturn keeping Blueywasdomesticviolence againsther. The Judge Mark’s threatsandintimidationfoundthatMarktaking At thehearing, theJudgeacceptedCharlotte’s evidenceof and intimidationofherwouldcontinue. Mark despitetheirseparation, andariskthathiscontrol, threats she wouldbeforcedmaintaincontactandcommunicationwith have accesstoBluey. Charlottewasworriedthatthiswouldmean property, andthereforetheJudgeshouldmakeordersthatthey that Blueywaslikeachildoftheparties, notsimplyCharlotte’s support thecasethatBlueyshouldbereturned. Markclaimed DVLS helpedCharlottetoprepareforthecontestedhearing, to toCharlotte.returned Bluey wasdomestic violence, andwhetherto order Blueytobe issues tobedecidedbeingwhetherMark’s takingandkeeping listed thematterforacontestedhearinginLocalCourtwith Bluey.never agreetoanorderthathereturn The Judgethen to ordersnotcontactorapproachCharlotte, butthathewould and representedCharlotte. Marktoldthecourthewouldagree DVLS helpedCharlottetofileherapplicationwiththeLocalCourt her withnon-legalsupportthroughoutthisperiod. with theDVLSSafetyand Wellbeing Coordinatorwhoprovided As wellasassistingCharlottetoseekaDVO, Charlottealsomet toCharlotte.include anorderthatBlueybereturned Bluey, DVLShelpedCharlotte to ask for DVOthatwouldalso and of him taunting and threatening Charlotte about keeping Mark enteringherresidenceandtakingBlueyanumberoftimes she wasliving, workingorlocated. Relyingontheevidenceof restrain MarkfromcontactingCharlotteorenteringatanyplace DVO. DVLShelpedCharlotteprepareanapplicationforaDVOto andadviceonobtaininga provided Charlottewithinformation Charlotte contactedtheDVLSofficeforhelp. DVLSlawyers BlueytoCharlotte.die beforehewouldeverreturn had Bluey. Markleftthreateningmessagessayingthathewould not knowwhereshelived. ShewasstillworriedbecauseMark Charlotte wassoscaredthatshemovedhouseMarkwould (continued) 055

Financials 2018 /2019 056 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 Financials General Purpose Financial Statements Financials

Auditor General’s Report...... 59

Statement by Directors...... 61

Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income...... 62

Statement of Financial Position...... 63

Statement of Cash Flows...... 64 057

Statement of Changes In Equity...... 65 legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern

Notes to the Financial Statements...... 66-94 058 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 Financials

059 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern 060 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 Statement by Directors Financials

In opinion of the directors of the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission declare that: a) the accompanying financial statements and notes are in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of Northern Territory of Australia Legal Aid Act 1990; b) are prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations of the Australian Accounting Standards Board; c) give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Commission as at 30 June 2019 and of its performance for the year ended on that date; d) at the date of this statement there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Commission will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable; and e) at the time of signing, we are not aware of any circumstances that would render the particulars included in the financial statements misleading or inaccurate.

061 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern

Fiona Hussin Barbara Lelli A/Director Corporate Services Manager

Signed in Darwin this 23rd day of September 2019. 062 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 Revenue The accompanying notes form part ofthesefinancialstatements The accompanying notesform Revaluation ofpropertyplantandequipment Other comprehensiveincome For The Year Ended30June 2019 Comprehensive Income Statement ofProfit or Loss andother Total comprehensive income(loss) Total othercomprehensive incomefortheyear Depreciation Expense Other Expenses Salaries andEmployeeBenefitsExpense attributable totheCommission Items thatwillnotbereclassifiedtonetsurplus/(deficit) Total Expenses Grant Expenses Administration Expense Net surplus/(deficit)fortheperiod Legal Expense Notes 2 8 3

(15,894,230) (10,390,749) 14,630,461 (1,263,769) (1,263,769) (1,622,487) (1,208,670) (1,064,132) (2,234,268) (240,971) (197,085) 2019

$ 0 0

(15,214,833) 14,799,316 (1,577,305) (2,441,766) (9,628,774) (309,000) (193,856) (415,517) (415,517) 2018 $ 0 0

Statement of Financial Position Financials For The Year Ended 30 June 2019

Notes 2019 2018 $ $ Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 4 2,723,956 2,864,289 Trade receivables 5 200,578 207,439 Investments 6 0 1,000,000 Other assets 7 271,700 253,360 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 3,196,234 4,325,088 Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment 8 1,055,506 1,014,175 TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 1,055,506 1,014,175 TOTAL ASSETS 4,251,740 5,339,263 Current Liabilities Trade and other payables 9 387,711 210,769 063

Provisions 10 1,542,199 1,619,964 legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,929,910 1,830,733 Non-Current Liabilities Provisions 10 380,752 303,683 TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 380,752 303,683 TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,310,662 2,134,416 NET ASSETS 1,941,078 3,204,847 Equity Retained Earnings 17 231,726 456,794 Reserves 16 1,709,352 2,748,053 TOTAL EQUITY 1,941,078 3,204,847

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements 064 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 Financials The accompanying notes form part ofthesefinancialstatements The accompanying notesform For The Year Ended30June2019 Statement ofCashFlows NET CASHFLOWSFROM/(USEDIN)OPERATING ACTIVITIES Cash Receiptsinthecourseofoperations Cash FlowsfromOperating Activities Grants receivedinthecourseofoperations Interest receivedinthecourseofoperations Net (decrease)/increaseincashandequivalents FINANCIAL PERIOD EQUIVALENTSOF THE ATCASH END CASH AND THE NET CASHFLOWSFROM/(USEDIN)INVESTING ACTIVITIES Cash Payments inthecourseofoperations Payments forproperty, plantandequipment Cash FlowsfromInvesting Activities Net Receipts/(Payments forinvestments) Cash andcashequivalentsatthebeginningofperiod

11113 Notes 4 (16,064,111) 14,743,498 2,864,289 1,000,000 2,723,956 (238,416) (901,917) (140,333) 131,506 287,190 761,584 2019 $ (15,745,772) 15,122,505 3,565,830 2,864,289 (538,497) (500,000) (163,044) (701,541) 123,900 336,323 (38,497) 2018 $ Statement of Changes in Equity For The Year Ended 30 June 2019

Retained Notes Reserves Total Earnings $ $ $ Balance at 30 June 2017 16 & 17 3,189,655 430,709 3,620,364 Net Deficit for the year attributable to the Commission 0 (415,517) (415,517) Other comprehensive income attributable 0 0 0 to the Commission Total comprehensive (loss) 0 (415,517) (415,517) Transfer to/from reserves (441,602) 441,602 0 Balance at 30 June 2018 16 & 17 2,748,053 456,794 3,204,847 Net Deficit for the year attributable to the Commission 0 (1,263,769) (1,263,769) Other comprehensive income attributable 0 0 0 to the Commission Total comprehensive income/(loss) 0 (1,263,769) (1,263,769) Transfer to/from reserves (1,038,701) 1,038,701 0 065

Balance at 30 June 2019 16 & 17 1,709,352 231,726 1,941,078 legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements 066 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements period havebeenevaluated. Board (AASB)thatareeffectivefor thecurrentannualreporting Interpretations issuedbythe Australian Accounting Standards The effectsofallrelevantnewand revisedStandardsand prepared inaccordancewiththehistoricalcostconvention. Except wherestated, thefinancialstatementshavebeen is paidoutorreceived. transactions andeventswhentheyoccur, ratherthanwhencash basis ofaccounting, whichrecognisestheeffectoffinancial The financialstatementshavebeenpreparedusingtheaccrual Accounting StandardsBoardthatapplyforthereportingperiod. related Australian Accounting Standards issued by the Australian 1990 and Legal AidAct Territoryof theNorthern of Australia that has been prepared in accordance with the requirements The financialstatementsareageneralpurposereport c) Basisofaccounting (2018 –103employees). The Commissionhad101employeesasat30June2019 b) NumberofEmployees The Commissionholdsitsprincipalplaceofbusinessat a) PrincipalplaceofBusiness and Not-for-profits Commissionfrom3December2012 Commission is registered asacharity with the Australian Charities Commission commenceditsactivitieson1July1990. The is toprovidelegalassistanceinaccordancewiththis Act. The 1990.Legal AidAct Australia The functionoftheCommission Territorywas establishedon11June1990bytheNorthern of The Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission(the “Commission”) 1. Level 6, 9-11CavenaghStreet, Darwin. Accounting Policies OfSignificant Summary

liabilities. classification andmeasurement for the Commission’s financial at fairvaluethroughprofitorloss. There arenochangesin The Commissionhasnotdesignatedanyfinancialliabilitiesas • are thechangesinclassificationoffinancialassets: not haveasignificantimpacttotheCommission. Thefollowing The classificationandmeasurementrequirementsof AASB9did ofthecashflows.assets andthecontractualterms on theCommission’s businessmodelformanagingthefinancial loss (FVTPL). The classificationoftheseinstrumentsisbased comprehensive income(FVOCI)andfairvaluethroughprofitor measurement bases–amortisedcost, fairvaluethroughother Financial instrumentshavebeenreclassifiedintooneofthree Classification andmeasurement accounting standardaredescribedbelow. and effectofthechangesasaresultadoptionthisnew accumulated fundsandothercomponentsofequity. The nature from theadoptionof AASB 9havebeenrecogniseddirectlyin reported under AASB 139. Where applicable, differencesarising not restatedthecomparativeinformation, whichcontinues tobe 2018.beginning onorafter1January The Commissionhas Instruments:Recognition andMeasurementforannualperiods AASB 9FinancialInstrumentsreplaces AASB 139Financial The Commissionapplied AASB 9forthefirsttimein2018-19. AASB 9FinancialInstruments Standards andInterpretationseffectivefrom2018-2019. measured atamortisedcostfrom1July2018. that aresolelypaymentsofprincipal, theycontinuetobe As these assets areheld to collectcontractual cash flows under AASB 139and weremeasuredatamortisedcost. classified as Loans and Receivables as at 30 June 2018 trade receivablesandotherrecoveries. These assetswere The Commission’s debtinstrumentsarecomprisedof In summary, upon the adoption of AASB 9, the Commission had no reclassifications as at 1 July 2018: AASB 9 categories Balances at 1 July 2018

Fair value through Balances at profit or loss Fair value 30 June Mandatorily Designated Amortised through 2018 at fair value at fair value cost OCI $ $ $ $ $ AASB 139 categories Trade receivables 2,275 - - 2,275 - Other recoveries 138,388 - - 138,388 - TOTAL 140,663 - - 140,663 - 067 Impairment AASB 16 Leases northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern The adoption of AASB 9 requires the loss allowance to be AASB 16 Leases is effective for annual reporting periods measured using a forward-looking expected credit loss (ECL) beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and will be reported for approach, replacing AASB 139’s incurred loss approach. AASB the first time in 2019-20 financial statements. When effective, 9 also requires a loss allowance to be recognised for all debt the standard will supersede AASB 117 Leases and require the instruments other than those held at fair value through profit or majority of leases to be recognised on the balance sheet. loss. For lessees with operating leases, a right-of-use asset will now be There have been no changes to impairment losses following the included in the balance sheet together with a lease liability for all adoption of AASB 9. leases with a term of 12 months or more, unless the underlying assets are of low value. The comprehensive operating statement Several other amending standards and AASB interpretations have will no longer report operating lease rental payments. Instead, been issued that apply to the current reporting periods, but are amortisation expense will be recognised relating to the right-of- considered to have no impact on reporting. use asset and interest expense relating to the lease liability. Standards and interpretations issued but not yet effective The right-of-use asset will be amortised generally on a straight- No Australian accounting standards have been adopted early for line basis while the lease liability will reduce to reflect lease 2018-19. payments made and increase to reflect the interest on the liability. On the date of authorisation of the financial statements, the Consistent with methodology applied to other long term liabilities, following standards and interpretations were in issue but are the lease liability is discounted using the Territory bond rates. As not yet effective and are expected to have an impact on future the lease term progresses, the carrying amount of the asset (cost reporting periods: less accumulated amortisation) is likely to reduce more quickly 068 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 accordance with AASB 1058. classified asadonationtransaction, revenuewillaccounted forin Where atransactiondoesnotmeet thecriteriaaboveoris sheet afteradoptionofthisstandard. Consequently, moreliabilitieswillberecognisedinthebalance satisfied, andnotimmediatelyuponreceiptascurrentlyoccurs. obligationsare will berecognisedwhenorasperformance tothecustomer orthirdpartybeneficiary goods orservices obligationsandtransfer have sufficientlyspecificperformance Under AASB 15, revenue fromagreementswhichareenforceable, 15. with AASB requirements thatapplytonot-for-profit entitiesinconjunction AASB 1058clarifiesandsimplifiesincome-recognition financial statements. 2019andwillbereportedforthefirsttimein2019-20 January profit entitiesforannualreportingperiodsbeginningonorafter1 Revenue fromContractswithCustomersareeffectivefornot-for- AASB 1058IncomeforNot-for-Profit Entitiesand AASB15 Revenue fromContractswithCustomers AASB 1058 Income for Not-for-Profit Entities and AASB 15 largely unchanged. For lessors, thefinanceandoperatingleasedistinctionremains corresponding righttouseassetfrom2019-20. will be recognised in the balance sheet as a lease liability and Consequently, itisexpectedthatapproximately$8,758,557million net assetsatinitialadoption. asset andleaseliabilities, thus, havingnoimpactinCommission’s impact is accounted for as an equal adjustment to the right-of-use require restatementofcomparativeyearsandthecumulative transition tothenewleasestandard. This approachdoesnot The modifiedretrospectiveapproachhasbeenelectedto of theleasearrangement. than theliability, resultinginalowernetassettheearlierstages For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements AASB 1059addressestheaccounting forarrangementsthat for thefirsttimein2019-20. 2019andwillbereportedinthesefinancialstatements January effective forannualreportingperiods beginningonorafter1 Concession AASB 1059Service Arrangements: Grantorsis AASB 1059ServiceConcessionArrangements:Grantors ofobligations.performance obligations. The liabilitywillunwinduponcompletionofthe of between thereceiptofgrantrevenueandperformance reduction toaccumulatedfundswherethereisatimingdifference the Commission’s revenue) withanequivalent liability(unearned The adoptionofthenewstandardmayresultinanincrease impact adjustedtotheopeningaccumulatedfunds. not requirerestatementofcomparativeyearwiththecumulative transition to the new revenue standards. This approach does The modifiedretrospective approachhasbeenelectedto • • • • Impacts identifiedinclude: recognised asrevenueonreceipt specific willnot qualify fordeferral, and willcontinue tobe grants thatarenotenforceableandorsufficiently obligation to createaperformance time restrictionontheuseoffundsisnotsufficientlyspecific of expenditurewillcontinuetoberecognisedonreceiptas obligationsbut haverestrictionsonthetiming performance grants thathaveanenforceableagreementbutnospecific on receipt satisfied. Atpresent, suchgrantsarerecognisedasrevenue obligationsare progressively astheassociatedperformance obligations will be recognised asrevenue performance grants withanenforceableagreementandsufficientlyspecific revenue onreceipt are satisfied. Atpresent, suchgrantsarerecognisedas obligationsunderthegrant as revenuetheperformance will berecognisedasaliability, andsubsequentlyrecognised grants receivedtoconstructoracquireanon-financialasset involve an operator providing public services related to a service the requirements of the applicable Accounting Standard. concession asset on behalf of a public sector grantor for a Fair value is the price the Commission would receive to sell an specified period of time and managing at least some of those asset or would have to pay to transfer a liability in an orderly (ie services. unforced) transaction between independent, knowledgeable and Where a transaction meets the definition of a service concession willing market participants at the measurement date. arrangement, a service concession asset and liability will be As fair value is a market-based measure, the closest equivalent recognised on the balance sheet and valued in accordance with observable market pricing information is used to determine fair the new standard. value. Adjustments to market values may be made having regard d) Revenue to the characteristics of the specific asset or liability. The fair Revenue is recognised at the fair value of the consideration values of assets and liabilities that are not traded in an active received, exclusive of the amount of GST. market are determined using one or more valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise, to the extent possible, the Government appropriation and grants use of observable market data. Government appropriation and grants are recognised in the profit or loss at the time of their receipt. To the extent possible, market information is extracted from either the principal market for the asset or liability (ie the market with the Rendering of Services greatest volume and level of activity for the asset or liability) or, 069 Revenue from rendering services is recognised by reference to in the absence of such a market, the most advantageous market northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern the stage of completion of the service. The revenue is recognised available to the Commission at the end of the reporting period when: (ie the market that maximises the receipts from the sale of the • the amount of revenue, stage of completion and transaction asset or minimises the payments made to transfer the liability, costs incurred can be reliably measured and after taking into account transaction costs and transport costs). • it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the For non-financial assets, the fair value measurement also takes transaction will flow to the Commission. into account a market participant’s ability to use the asset in its Interest highest and best use or to sell it to another market participant that Interest revenue is recognised using the effective interest method, would use the asset in its highest and best use. which for floating rate financial assets is the rate inherent in The fair value of liabilities and the Commission’s own equity the instrument. instruments (excluding those related to share-based payment e) Cash arrangements) may be valued, where there is no observable market price in relation to the transfer of such financial Cash includes cash on hand and deposits held at-call with banks, instruments, by reference to observable market information where and other short-term highly liquid investments with original such instruments are held as assets. Where this information is maturities of three months or less. not available, other valuation techniques are adopted and, where f) Fair value of assets and liabilities significant, are detailed in the respective note to the financial statements. The Commission measures some of its assets and liabilities at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis, depending on 070 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 expense inprofitorlossovertherelevant period. amortised costofadebtinstrument andofallocatinginterest The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised costusingtheeffectiveinterest method. All otherfinancialliabilitiesare subsequentlymeasuredat • • • if thefinancialliabilityis: A financialliabilityismeasuredatfairvaluethroughprofitandloss • • Financial liabilitiesaresubsequentlymeasuredat: Financial liabilities Classification andsubsequentmeasurement component. if thetradereceivablesdonotcontainasignificantfinancing Trade receivables areinitiallymeasuredatthetransactionprice techniques areadopted. fair value.are used to determine In other circumstances, valuation immediately. Where available, quoted prices in an active market in whichcasetransactioncostsareexpensedtoprofitorloss the instrumentisclassified “atfairvaluethroughprofitorloss”, measured atfairvalueplustransactioncosts, exceptwhere Financial instruments(exceptfortradereceivables)areinitially the asset. the Commissioncommits itself toeither the purchase or saleof instrument. For financialassets, thisisequivalenttothedatethat Commission becomesapartytothecontractualprovisions Financial assetsandfinancialliabilitiesarerecognisedwhenthe Initial recognitionandmeasurement g) Financialinstruments For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements initially designatedasatfairvaluethroughprofitorloss. held fortrading; or combination towhich AASB 3applies; a contingentconsiderationofanacquirerinbusiness fair valuethroughprofitandloss. amortised cost; or • criteria,on thebasisoftwoprimary being: • • • Financial assetsaresubsequentlymeasuredat: Financial asset A financialliabilitycannotbereclassified. income. losses aretakentoprofitorlossratherthanothercomprehensive enlarges orcreatesanaccountingmismatch, thenthesegainsor If takingthechangeincreditriskothercomprehensiveincome of thefinancialliability. Instead, uponderecognition itistransferredtoretainedearnings income andisnotsubsequentlyreclassifiedtoprofitorloss. changes intheissuer’s creditriskistakentoothercomprehensive The changeinfairvalueofthefinancialliability attributableto - - - - A financialliabilityisheldfortradingifitis: amountatinitialrecognition. instrument tothenetcarrying the estimatedfuture cash flowsthroughtheexpected lifeofthe financial asset orliability. Thatis, it is the rate that exactly discounts of the rate of return The effective interest rate is the internal asset; and the contractualcashflowcharacteristics ofthefinancial fair valuethroughprofitandloss fair valuethroughothercomprehensive income; or amortised cost; part ofadesignatedhedgingrelationship. recognised inprofitorlosstotheextentthattheyarenot any gainsorlossesarisingonchangesinfairvalueare an effectivehedgingrelationship); or is inafinancialguaranteecontractorderivativethat a derivativefinancialinstrument(exceptforthat profittaking; term ofshort- part ofaportfoliowherethereisanactualpattern near term; incurred forthepurposeofrepurchasingorrepayingin • the business model for managing the financial assets. that significantly modifies the cash flows otherwise required A financial asset is subsequently measured at amortised cost by the contract. when it meets the following conditions: The initial designation of the financial instruments to measure • the financial asset is managed solely to collect contractual at fair value through profit and loss is a one-time option on cash flows; and initial classification and is irrevocable until the financial asset is derecognised. • the contractual terms within the financial asset give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest Derecognition on the principal amount outstanding on specified dates. Derecognition refers to the removal of a previously recognised A financial asset is subsequently measured at fair value through financial asset or financial liability from the statement of financial other comprehensive income when it meets the following position. conditions: Derecognition of financial liabilities • the contractual terms within the financial asset give rise to A liability is derecognised when it is extinguished (ie when the cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest obligation in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires). on the principal amount outstanding on specified dates; and An exchange of an existing financial liability for a new one with • the business model for managing the financial asset substantially modified terms, or a substantial modification to the comprises both contractual cash flows collection and the terms of a financial liability, is treated as an extinguishment of the 071 selling of the financial asset. existing liability and recognition of a new financial liability. northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern By default, all other financial assets that do not meet the conditions The difference between the carrying amount of the financial of amortised cost and the fair value through other comprehensive liability derecognised and the consideration paid and payable, income’s measurement condition are subsequently measured at including any non-cash assets transferred or liabilities assumed, fair value through profit or loss. is recognised in profit or loss. The Commission initially designates financial instruments as Derecognition of financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss if: A financial asset is derecognised when the holder’s contractual • it eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or rights to its cash flows expires, or the asset is transferred in such recognition inconsistency (often referred to as “accounting a way that all the risks and rewards of ownership are substantially mismatch”) that would otherwise arise from measuring transferred. assets or liabilities or recognising the gains and losses on them on different bases; All of the following criteria need to be satisfied for derecognition of a financial asset: • it is in accordance with the documented risk management or investment strategy and information about the groupings • the right to receive cash flows from the asset has expired or was documented appropriately, so the performance of been transferred; the financial liability that was part of a group of financial • all risk and rewards of ownership of the asset have been liabilities or financial assets can be managed and evaluated substantially transferred; and consistently on a fair value basis; and • the Commission no longer controls the asset (i.e. it has no • it is a hybrid contract that contains an embedded derivative practical ability to make unilateral decisions to sell the asset to a third party). 072 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 • • as applicableunder AASB 9: The Commissionusesthefollowing approachestoimpairment, at theoriginaleffectiveinterestrateoffinancialinstrument. are dueandallcashflowsexpectedtobereceived, alldiscounted credit lossisthedifferencebetweenallcontractualcashflowsthat credit lossesovertheexpectedlifeofafinancialinstrument. A Expected creditlossesaretheprobability-weightedestimateof • • Loss allowanceisnotrecognisedfor: fair valuethroughprofitorloss. Loss allowanceisnotrecognisedforfinancialassetsmeasuredat fair valuethroughothercomprehensiveincome. losses onfinancialassetsthataremeasuredatamortisedcostor The Commissionrecognisesalossallowanceforexpectedcredit Impairment but istransferredtoretainedearnings. isnotreclassifiedtoprofitorloss,investments revaluationreserve income, thecumulativegainorlosspreviouslyaccumulatedin to beclassifiedunderfairvaluethroughothercomprehensive On derecognition of an investment in equity which was elected reclassified toprofitorloss. is previously accumulatedintheinvestmentrevaluationreserve through othercomprehensiveincome, thecumulativegainorloss On derecognitionofadebtinstrumentclassifiedasfairvalue profit orloss. of theconsiderationreceivedandreceivableisrecognised in the differencebetween the asset’s amount and the sum carrying On derecognitionofafinancialassetmeasuredatamortisedcost, For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements the simplifiedapproach; the generalapproach; comprehensive income. equity instrumentsmeasuredatfairvaluethroughother or financial assetsmeasuredatfairvaluethroughprofitorloss; • • includes: Evidence ofcreditimpairment gainorloss.recognised inprofitorlossasanimpairment asset’s originaleffectiveinterestrate. Any adjustment hasbeen value ofestimatedfuturecashflowsdiscountedatthefinancial between the asset’s amount and the present gross carrying any changeinitslifetimeexpectedcreditlossasthedifference (not onacquisitionororiginations), theCommissionmeasures For afinancialassetthatisconsideredtobecredit-impaired Purchased ororiginatedcreditimpairedapproach base, appropriate groupingsofitshistoricallossexperience, etc). to getanexpectedcreditloss(i.e. diversityofitscustomer receivables hasbeenused, takingintoconsiderationvariousdata In measuringtheexpectedcreditlossaprovisionmatrixfortrade approach isapplicabletotheCommission’s tradereceivables. recognition oflifetimeexpectedcreditlossatalltimes. This reportingperiod,in creditriskevery butinsteadrequiresthe The simplifiedapproachdoesnotrequiretrackingofchanges Simplified approach • • credit-impaired, andif: Commission assesses whether the financial instruments are Under thegeneralapproach, ateachreportingperiod, the General approach • • a breachofcontract (egdefaultorpastdueevent); significant financialdifficultyofthe issuerorborrower; 12-month expectedcreditlosses. allowance for that financialinstrument atanamountequal to initial recognition, theCommissionmeasuresloss there has been no significant increase in credit risk since an amountequaltothelifetimeexpectedcreditlosses; and measures thelossallowanceoffinancialinstrumentsat significantly sinceinitialrecognition, theCommission the creditriskoffinancialinstrumenthasincreased low creditriskoperationalsimplification. the purchasedororiginatedcreditimpairedapproach; and • where a lender has granted to the borrower a concession, cost includes the loss allowance relating to that asset. due to the borrower’s financial difficulty, that the lender Assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive would not otherwise consider; income are recognised at fair value with changes in fair value • it is probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or other recognised in other comprehensive income. An amount in relation financial reorganisation; and to change in credit risk is transferred from other comprehensive • the disappearance of an active market for the financial asset income to profit or loss at every reporting period. because of financial difficulties. For financial assets that are unrecognised (eg loan commitments Low credit risk operational simplification approach yet to be drawn, financial guarantees), a provision for loss If a financial asset is determined to have low credit risk at the allowance is created in the statement of financial position to initial reporting date, the Commission assumes that the credit recognise the loss allowance. risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition and h) Impairment of non-financial assets accordingly the Commission can continue to recognise a loss allowance of 12-month expected credit loss. At the end of each reporting period, the Commission reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to In order to make such determination that the financial asset determine whether there is any indication that those assets has low credit risk, the Commission applies its internal credit have been impaired. If such an indication exists, the recoverable risk ratings or other methodologies using a globally comparable amount of the asset, being the higher of the asset’s fair value less 073 definition of low credit risk. costs of disposal and value in use, is compared to the asset’s legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern A financial asset is considered to have low credit risk if: carrying amount. Any excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its recoverable amount is recognised in profit or loss. • there is a low risk of default by the borrower; Where the assets are not held primarily for their ability to generate • the borrower has strong capacity to meet its contractual net cash inflows – that is, they are specialised assets held for cash flow obligations in the near term; and continuing use of their service capacity – the recoverable amounts • adverse changes in economic and business conditions in are expected to be materially the same as fair value. the longer term, may, but not necessarily, reduce the ability of the borrower to fulfil its contractual cash flow obligations. Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Commission estimates the recoverable A financial asset is not considered to carry low credit risk merely amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. due to existence of collateral, or because a borrower has a lower risk of default than the risk inherent in the financial assets, or Where the future economic benefits of the asset are not primarily relative to the credit risk of the jurisdiction in which it operates. dependent upon the asset’s ability to generate net cash inflows and when the Commission would, if deprived of the asset, replace Recognition of expected credit losses in its remaining future economic benefits, value in use is determined financial statements as the depreciated replacement cost of an asset. At each reporting date, the Commission recognises the movement in the loss allowance as an impairment gain or loss in When an impairment loss on a revalued individual asset is the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. identified, this is recognised against the revaluation surplus in respect of the same class of asset to the effect that the impairment The carrying amount of financial assets measured at amortised 074 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 at costandarethereforecarried atcostlessaccumulated All otherclassesofproperty, plant andequipmentaremeasured the assetatdateitisacquired. or fornominalcostarevaluedandrecognised atthefairvalueof Freehold landandbuildingsthathavebeencontributedatnocost the netamountisrestatedtorevaluedofasset. amountoftheassetand eliminated againstthegrosscarrying Any accumulateddepreciationatthedateofrevaluationis recognised inprofitorloss. under theheadingofrevaluationsurplus. All otherdecreasesare assets shallberecognised in othercomprehensive income decreases that offset previous increases of the same class of and accumulatedintherevaluationsurplusequity. Revaluation and buildingsarerecognisedinothercomprehensiveincome amountarising onrevaluationofland Increases inthecarrying buildings isnotmateriallydifferenttothefairvalue. amountforthelandand assessment toensurethecarrying to anindependentvaluation, theCommission shallconductan In periodswhenthefreeholdlandandbuildingsarenotsubject for buildings. valuers, lesssubsequentdepreciationandimpairment periodic, fiveyears, butatevery independent valuationsbyexternal Freehold landandbuildingsareshownattheirfairvaluebasedon losses.impairment less, where applicable, accumulated depreciation and any plant andequipmentiscarriedatcostorfairvalueasindicated, are expensedintheyearofacquisition. Each classofproperty, property, plantandequipmentbelowthe$10,000threshold year of acquisition and depreciated as outlined below. Items of value, equaltoorgreaterthan$10,000arerecognisedinthe All itemsofproperty, plantandequipmentwithacost, orother i) Property, plantandequipment that classofasset. loss doesnotexceedtheamountinrevaluationsurplusfor For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements

major classesofdepreciableassets are: asset isheldreadyforuse. The depreciationratesusedforthe or, constructedassets, inrespectofinternally fromthetimean Assets arefirstdepreciatedoramortisedintheyearofacquisition lives oftheimprovements. either theunexpiredperiodofleaseorestimateduseful Leasehold improvementsaredepreciatedovertheshorterof lives usingthestraight-linemethodandaremeasuredatcost. depreciated /amortisedovertheirexpectedusefuleconomic and leaseholdimprovements, butexcludingfreeholdland, is The depreciableamountofallfixedassets, includingbuildings Depreciation andamortisationoffixedassets date itisacquired. nominal cost are recognised at thefairvalueof the assetat Plant andequipmentthathavebeencontributedatnocostorfor which theyareincurred. recognised asexpensesinprofitorlossthefinancialperiod be measuredreliably. All otherrepairsandmaintenanceare item willflowtotheCommissionandcostofcan it isprobablethatfutureeconomicbenefitsassociatedwiththe or recognisedasaseparateasset, asappropriate, onlywhen Subsequent costsareincludedintheasset’s amount carrying of impairment). indicatorsarepresent (refertoNote1(h)fordetails impairment asset. assessment ofrecoverableamountismadewhen A formal lossesrelatetoarevalued revaluation decreaseiftheimpairment lossesarerecognised eitherinprofitorlossasa impairment down immediatelytotheestimatedrecoverableamountand the estimatedrecoverableamount, amountiswritten thecarrying amount of plant and equipment is greater than event the carrying losses.depreciation andanyaccumulatedimpairment Inthe Buildings Plant &Equipment Fixed Assets 30 years 5 years 2019 30 years 5 years 2018 The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed and Employee’s Superannuation entitlements are provided through the adjusted, if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. NT Government and Public Authorities Superannuation Scheme (NTGPASS) and non-government employee nominated schemes j) Employee benefits for those employees commencing on or after 10 August 1999. Provision is made for employee benefits accumulated as a result of employees rendering services up to the reporting date. The Commission makes superannuation contributions on These benefits include wages and salaries and recreation leave. behalf of its employees to the Central Holding Authority or non- Liabilities arising in respect of wages and salaries, recreation government employee-nominated schemes. Superannuation leave and other employee benefit liabilities that fall due within liabilities related to government superannuation schemes are held twelve months of reporting date are classified as current liabilities by the Central Holding Authority and as such are not recognised and are measured at amounts expected to be paid. Non-current in the Commission’s financial statements. employee benefit liabilities that fall due after twelve months of the l) Income tax reporting date are measured at present value, calculated using The Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission is a public the Northern Territory Government long-term bond rate. authority within the definition of Section 50-25 of theIncome No provision is made for sick leave, which is non-vesting, as the Tax Assessment Act 1997 and its income is exempt under the anticipated pattern of future sick leave to be taken is less than the provisions of that Act. entitlement accruing in each reporting period. m) Leases 075 Employee benefit expenses are recognised on a net basis in Leases of property, plant and equipment, where substantially all legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern respect of the following categories: the risks and benefits incidental to the ownership of the asset (but • wages and salaries, non-monetary benefits, recreation leave not the legal ownership) are transferred to the Commission, are and other leave entitlements and classified as finance leases. • other types of employee benefits. Finance leases are capitalised, recognising an asset and a liability Provision for long service leave is recognised in the provision equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments, for employee benefits and measured as the present value of including any guaranteed residual values. Leased assets are expected future payments to be made in respect of services depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful provided by employees up to the reporting date. Consideration lives where it is likely that the Commission will obtain ownership of is given to anticipated future wage and salary levels, related on the asset. Lease payments are allocated between the reduction costs, experience of employee departures, and periods of service. of the lease liability and the lease interest expense for the period. Expected future payments are discounted using the Northern Lease payments for operating leases, where substantially all Territory Government long-term bond rate. the risks and benefits remain with the lessor, are recognised as k) Superannuation arrangements expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Contributions made by the Commission to employee Lease incentives under operating leases are recognised as a superannuation funds are expensed. liability and amortised on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease term. 076 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 obtained both externally andwithintheCommission. obtained bothexternally events andarebasedoncurrenttrendseconomicdata, information. Estimatesassume a reasonableexpectation of future are basedonhistoricalknowledgeandbestavailablecurrent Estimates andjudgementsincorporatedintothefinancialreport o) payments tosuppliers. operating cashflowsincludedinreceiptsfromcustomersor are recoverablefromorpayabletothe ATO, arepresentedas of cashflowsarisingfrominvestingorfinancingactivities, which Cash flowsarepresentedonagrossbasis. TheGSTcomponents payables inthestatementoffinancialposition. from, orpayableto, the ATO isincludedwithotherreceivables or GST receivableorpayable. The netamountofGSTrecoverable Receivables andpayablesarestatedinclusiveoftheamount recoverable fromthe Australian Taxation Office(ATO). amount of GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is not Revenues, expensesandassetsarerecognisednetofthe n) GoodsandServices Tax (GST) For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements and judgements Critical accountingestimates repositioned forconsistencywithcurrentyeardisclosures. Where necessary, comparativeshavebeenreclassifiedand q) Comparatives funding willcontinue. basisintheexpectationthatsuch prepared onagoingconcern the currentfinancialyear. Thesefinancialstatements havebeen proposed expenditureonbothoperationalandcapitalitemsin Territory forthemajority ofitsrevenueusedtomeet governments The CommissionisdependentonCommonwealthandNorthern p) EconomicDependence financial statements. financial statementsaredisclosedintherelevantnotesto Judgments andestimatesthathavesignificanteffectsonthe if therevisionaffectsbothcurrentandfutureperiods. only thatperiod, orintheperiodofrevisionandfutureperiods in theperiodwhichestimateisrevisedifrevisionaffects ongoing basis. Revisionstoaccountingestimatesarerecognised The estimatesandunderlyingassumptionsarereviewedonan 2. Revenue 2019 2018 $ $ Grant revenue from - NT 7,037,513 6,886,700 - Commonwealth 6,494,320 6,072,660 - Others 764,586 1,392,023 Rendering of services revenue - Client contributions 119,286 148,133 - Recovered costs 77,718 167,858 Other revenue - Interest 124,765 124,951 - Others 12,273 6,991 14,630,461 14,799,316

3. Expenses $ $ Depreciation expense 197,085 193,856 077

Salaries and employee benefits expense 10,390,749 9,628,774 legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern Administration costs 1,208,670 1,064,135 Legal costs 2,234,268 2,441,766 Grant expenses 240,971 309,000 Other expenses - Minor assets 175,471 153,931 - Operating lease expenditure 1,447,016 1,423,371 15,894,230 15,214,833

4. Cash and Cash Equivalents $ $ Cash on hand 1,450 1,450 Cash at bank 2,712,506 2,852,839 Advance account 10,000 10,000 2,723,956 2,864,289 078 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 recoveries receivableswithin30days. The loss allowanceforreceivablesasatthereportingdateisdisclosedbelow: Receivables includeaccountsandotherreceivablesarerecognisedatfairvaluelessanylossallowance. Trade Debtorsaregenerallysettledwithin30 days and 5. Trade Receivables For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements TOTAL Not Overdue Ending balance of comprehensiveincome Increase/decrease inallowancerecognised instatement Amount writtenoff Beginning balance Movements ofLoss Allowance isasfollows: than 3months Overdue forless than 4years Overdue more 1 -2years Overdue for 3 -12months Overdue for 2 -4years Overdue for Less lossallowance Recoveries Receivable GST Receivable-net Less lossallowance Trade debtors Receivables 126,286 201,001 21,593 48,063 4,830 Gross 155 74 $ 100% 100% Loss Rate 0% 0% 0% 4% % 2019 Expected Losses Credit 423 155 194 74 $ 0 0 0 Receivables 200,578 126,286 21,593 48,063 4,636 Net 0 0 $ Receivables 209,582 40,767 95,412 68,919 2,099 2,341 Gross 44 $ 100% 100% Loss Rate 200,578 126,286 0% 0% 0% 0% % 74,292 74,715 (1,720) 2,143 2019 2019 (423) 423 2018 $ $ 0 0 0 0 Expected Losses 2,143 2,099 Credit 44 $ 0 0 0 0 Receivables 207,439 40,767 95,412 68,919 2,341 136,245 138,388 207,439 Net 10,916 68,919 (2,143) (8,773) $ 0 0 2,275 2,275 2,143 2018 2018 $ $ 0 0 Financials

6. Investments 2019 2018 $ $ Term Deposits 0 1,000,000 The term deposits are held with Australian Authorised Deposit Institutions 0 1,000,000

7. Other Assets Prepayments - Insurances 101,910 91,873 - Rent 88,509 87,532 - Salaries 11,719 0 - Other 69,562 67,214 Accrued interest 0 6,741 Total prepayments and other assets 271,700 253,360 079

8. Property, Plant and Equipment legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern Freehold land at fair value 420,000 420,000 420,000 420,000 Buildings – at fair value 671,743 517,690 Less: Accumulated depreciation (147,748) (72,856) 523,995 444,834 Leasehold improvements – at cost 1,043,791 1,043,791 Less: Accumulated depreciation (1,043,769) (958,161) 22 85,630 Plant and equipment – at cost 416,447 341,257 Less: Accumulated depreciation (304,958) (277,546) 111,489 63,711 Total property, plant and equipment 1,055,506 1,014,175 080 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 8. Property, PlantandEquipment For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements Carrying amountatbeginningofyear Carrying Freehold Land amountsofeachclassproperty,Reconciliations ofthecarrying plantandequipmentaresetoutbelow: (a) Reconciliations Carrying amountatendofyear Carrying Carrying amountatendofyear Carrying Depreciation Additions amountatendofyear Carrying Carrying amountatendofyear Carrying amountatbeginningofyear Carrying Plant andEquipment Depreciation Depreciation Additions valuations obtained fromtheIntegrated Valuation dated10May2017. Services by reference to direct valuations,The fair values of freehold land and buildings have been determined based upon independent (b) Valuations Additions Depreciation Carrying amountatbeginningofyear Carrying Leasehold Improvements Net amountofrevaluationincrement amountatbeginningofyear Carrying Buildings Net amountofrevaluationincrements Carrying amountatbeginningofyear Carrying Total Property, PlantandEquipment Additions Reclassification Reclassification Reclassification amountatendofyear Carrying (continued) 1,055,506 1,014,175 (197,085) 238,416 111,489 523,995 154,053 444,834 420,000 420,000 (36,585) (85,608) (74,892) 84,363 63,711 85,630 2019 22 $ 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,014,175 1,169,534 (193,856) 171,005 444,834 499,592 420,000 420,000 (45,776) (85,632) (62,448) 85,630 38,497 30,807 78,937 63,711 2018 7,690 (257) 257 $ 0 0 0 0 9. Trade and Other Payables 2019 2018 $ $ Current Accounts payable and accrued expenses 387,711 210,769 Total payables and other expenses 387,711 210,769

10. Provisions Current Provisions Employee benefits - Annual Leave 621,863 706,074 - Long Service Leave 673,507 650,349 - Leave Loading 144,006 150,154 1,439,376 1,506,577 Fringe Benefits Tax 45,672 49,320 081 Super contribution and others 57,151 64,067 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern Total current provisions 1,542,199 1,619,964 Non-Current Provisions Employee benefits - Long Service Leave 380,752 303,683 Total non-current provisions 380,752 303,683 11. Superannuation Commitments Employees’ superannuation entitlements are principally provided through the Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities Superannuation Scheme (NTGPASS). Benefits from these schemes are supplemented by an additional “3% productivity” benefit from the Northern Territory Supplementary Superannuation Scheme (NTSSS). Employee contributions for NTGPASS members are based on an elected rate of 2% to 6% salary. NTSSS benefits are entirely employer funded and do not require employee contributions. As at 30 June 2019 total superannuation expended amounted to $871,926 (30 June 2018 - $805,978). From 10 August 1999, new employees are unable to join the above funds and must nominate their own fund into which contributions will be paid. 082 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 30 June2019amountedto$1,114,129 (2018: $1,090,966). upward revisionoftherentalchargeon anannualbasisaccordingtoprevailingmarketconditions. Total annualleaseexpenditureforthe yearended The Commissionentersintooperating leases forofficeaccommodation. Leasesareforaperiodofupto10years. Leasesincludeaclausetoenable 14. ExpenditureCommitments 13. Notes To The StatementOfCashFlows matters. As at30June2019thetrustaccounthada$328,976balance(2018-nil). and settlement monies held on behalf of legally aided persons. The Commission may recover some costs upon finalisation of these monies arenotbroughttoaccountinthefinancialreportsbutdisclosedbywayofnote. Thetrustaccountismaintainedforverdict The Commissionoperatesasolicitor’s trustaccountandthefundsarenotusedinachievementofitsobjectives. Therefore, these 12. Trust Accounts For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements Operating leases(non-cancellable) Building leaseexpenditurecommitments Increase/(Decrease) inprovisions Surplus orlossfortheyear Reconciliation ofnetcashusedinoperatingactivitiestosurplus/lossfortheyear Decrease/(Increase) inotherassets Total expenditurecommitments Decrease/(Increase) inreceivables Increase/(Decrease) increditors Grants In Aid Grants Loss ondisposalofassets/assetsdonated Net cashflowsfrom/(usedin)operatingactivities Depreciation - notlaterthanoneyear - laterthanoneyearbutnotfiveyears - laterthanfiveyearsbutnotten 10,478,749 (1,263,769) 5,092,163 3,666,394 (901,917) 790,392 929,800 176,942 197,085 (18,340) 6,861 2019 (696) 0 $ 1,595,512 (163,044) (415,517) 600,933 981,377 193,856 (29,277) (53,448) 42,726 98,616 13,202 2018 0 $ 0 15. Contingency Legal Aid Fund Under Section 44 of the Northern Territory of Australia Legal Aid Act 1990 the Contingency Legal Aid Fund was established towards the end of the 1992/93 financial year. The funds are not used in the achievement of the Commission’s objectives. Therefore, these monies are not brought to account in the financial reports but are disclosed by way of note. The fund is available to provide financial assistance to eligible persons to enable them to bring or defend civil proceedings. It was set up with a seeding grant from the Law Society Public Purpose Trust. The details of the fund are as follows:

2019 2018 $ $ As at 30 June the financial position of the fund which is managed by the Commission was as follows Opening balance 1,002,555 981,394 Receipts: 21,194 21,551 Interest received 220 440 Client contributions received Cost recovered 83,828 75,422 083 105,242 97,413 legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern Disbursements: Legal costs (108,157) (76,242) Bank charges (16) (10) (108,173) (76,252) Adjustments: Add: Unpresented Cheques 0 0 Less: Interest earned & reinvested last year 0 0 0 0 Cash balance at year end 999,624 1,002,555 Less - Clients/grants approved but not paid at year end (244,679) (245,646) 084 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 17. RetainedEarnings 16. Reserves For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements (a)Property, (funded) Plant&EquipmentReserve (b) Asset Revaluation Property, Plant&EquipmentReserve Balanceatthebeginningofyear (c)CommonwealthReserve -Freehold land Balance attheendofyear Transfer from(Redistributionto)RetainedEarnings Transfer from(Redistributionto)RetainedEarnings Asset Revaluation Commonwealth Reserves Balanceatthebeginningofyear Movements inreserves: Balance attheendofyear Net Income(loss) (Deficit) /Retainedearnings, atendofyear Net transferfrom/(to)Reserves Retained earnings, atbeginningofyear Balance attheendofyear -BuildingsonFreehold Land Revaluationincrementsonrevaluationof: Balanceatthebeginningofyear (1,263,769) 1,038,701 231,726 456,794 (1,120,172) 1,447,708 1,709,352 327,536 658,086 658,086 723,730 642,259 723,730 327,536 658,086 81,471 2019 0 0 $ 1,447,708 1,982,755 1,447,708 2,748,053 (535,047) (415,517) 658,086 658,086 642,259 548,814 642,259 658,086 456,794 430,709 441,602 93,445 2018 0 0 $ 18. Financial Instruments The Commission’s financial instruments consist mainly of cash and short-term monetary investments, receivables and payables. The totals for each category of financial instruments, measured in accordance with AASB 9:Financial Instruments as detailed in the accounting policies to these financial statements, are as follows:

2019 2018 $ $ Financial assets Financial assets at amortised cost: - cash and cash equivalent 2,723,956 2,864,289 - receivable - trade (net) 74,292 138,520 - term deposits 0 1,000,000 Total financial assets 2,798,248 4,002,809 Financial liabilities 085 Financial liabilities at amortised cost: northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern - trade payables and accruals 387,711 210,769 Total financial liabilities 387,711 210,769 Due to the nature of operating activities, certain financial assets and financial liabilities arise under statutory obligations rather than a contract. Such financial assets and liabilities do not meet the definition of financial instruments as per AASB 132Financial instruments: Presentation are excluded above. These financial assets and liabilities include GST amounts receivable from and payable to the Australian Taxation Office. 086 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 detailed atNote5. to be of high credit quality. Aggregates of such amounts are Receivables that are neither past due nor impaired are considered position. (net ofanyprovisions)aspresentedinthestatementfinancial valueandclassification ofthosefinancialassets to thecarrying financial assetsattheendofreportingperiodisequivalent The maximumexposuretocreditriskbyclassofrecognised as itsmajorsourceofrevenueisthereceiptgrants. The Commission does not have any material credit risk exposures obligations thatcouldleadtoafinanciallossfortheCommission. by counterparties of contract the potential non-performance Exposure tocreditriskrelatingfinancialassetsarisesfrom Credit Risk measuring therisksfrompreviousperiod. Commission’s objectives, policiesandprocessesformanagingor the Commission is exposed to, how these risks arise, or the There havebeennosubstantivechangesinthetypesofrisks interest rateriskandotherpricerisk. instruments arecreditrisk, liquidityriskandmarketrelatingto The mainriskstheCommissionisexposedthroughitsfinancial Specific FinancialRiskExposuresandManagement management policiesareapprovedandreviewedbytheBoard. potential adverseeffectsonfinancialperformance. Risk Commission inmeetingitsfinancialtargetswhileminimising The Board’s overallriskmanagementstrategyistoassistthe Commission’s compliancewithitsriskmanagementstrategy. The Boardisresponsibleformonitoring and managingthe Financial RiskManagementPolicies 18. FinancialInstruments For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements (continued) earliest contractualsettlementdates. presented inthetabletosettlefinancialliabilitiesreflects therefore differfromthatdisclosed. The timingofcashflows expectation astothetimingofrealisation. Actual timingmay Cash flowsrealisedfromfinancialassetsreflectmanagement’s analysis forfinancialliabilities. The tablebelowreflectsanundiscountedcontractualmaturity • • • • • manages thisriskthroughthefollowingmechanisms: its obligationsinrelation to financial liabilities. TheCommission encounter difficultyinsettlingitsdebtsorotherwisemeeting Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that the Commission might Liquidity Risk Note 5. Details withrespecttocreditriskofreceivablesareprovidedin exposure toanysinglecounterpartyorentityofcounterparties. The Commission has no significant concentrations of credit risk realisation profileoffinancialassets. comparing the maturity profile of financial liabilities with the and only investingsurpluscashwithmajorfinancialinstitutions; managing creditriskrelatedtofinancialassets; maintaining areputablecreditprofile; its operating, investingandfinancingactivities; preparing forward-lookingcashflowanalysesinrelationto Financial liability and financial asset maturity analysis

Within 1 year 1 to 5 years Over 5 years Total 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Financial liabilities due for payment Trade and other payables (excluding estimated annual leave and net GST payable) 387,711 210,769 0 0 0 0 387,711 210,769 TOTAL EXPECTED 387,711 210,769 0 0 0 0 387,711 210,769 OUTFLOWS

Financial assets – cash flows realisable Cash and cash 087 2,723,956 2,864,289 0 0 0 0 2,723,956 2,864,289

equivalent legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern Receivable - 74,292 138,520 0 0 0 0 74,292 138,520 trade (net) Term deposits 0 1,000,000 0 0 0 0 0 1,000,000 TOTAL ANTICIPATED 2,798,248 4,002,809 0 0 0 0 2,798,248 4,002,809 INFLOWS Net (outflow)/inflow expected on financial 2,410,537 3,792,040 0 0 0 0 2,410,537 3,792,040 instruments 088 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 Commission tointerestrateriskarelimitedcashandequivalents, deposits. andterm change ininterestrateswillaffectfuturecashflowsorthefairvalueoffixedratefinancialinstruments. Thefinancialinstrumentsthatexposethe Exposure tointerestrateriskarisesonfinancialassetsandliabilitiesrecognisedattheendofreportingperiodwherebyafuture Interest RateRisk For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements The Commissionhasnofixedinterestfinancialinstruments. accruals Accounts payableand Financial liabilities LIABILITIES TOTAL FINANCIAL Financial assets

Term Deposits Cash andcashequivalent ASSETS TOTAL FINANCIAL Receivables -trade(net) 2,723,956 2,723,956 Variable Interest 2019 Bearing 0 0 0 0 $ 2,864,289 1,000,000 3,864,289 2018 0 0 0 $ 387,711 387,711 74,292 74,292 2019 Non-Interest Bearing 0 0 $ 210,769 138,520 138,520 210,769 2018 0 0 $ 2,798,248 2,723,956 387,711 387,711 74,292 2019 Total Carrying Value 0 $ 1,000,000 4,002,809 2,864,289 138,520 210,769 210,769 2018 $ Effective InterestRate Weighted Average 2.47% 1.48% 2019 % 0 2.29% 1.50% 2018 % 0 18. Financial Instruments (continued)

Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity Analysis The following table illustrates sensitivities to the Commission’s exposures to changes in interest rates. The table indicates the impact on how profit or loss and equity reported at the end of the reporting period would have been affected by changes in the relevant risk variable that management considers to be reasonably possible. These sensitivities assume that the movement in a particular variable is independent of other variables.

Profit or Loss and Equity

100 Basis Points 100 Basis Points Increase Decrease $ $ Year ended 30 June 2019 Financial Assets - cash and cash equivalents 27,240 (27,240) Financial Assets - term deposits 0 0 089

27,240 (27,240) legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern Year ended 30 June 2018 Financial Assets - cash and cash equivalents 28,643 (28,643) Financial Assets - term deposits 10,000 (10,000) 38,643 (38,643) 090 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 financial liabilities. Refer toNote19fordetaileddisclosuresregardingthefairvaluemeasurementofCommission’s financialassetsand amounts aspresentedinthestatementoffinancialposition. The fairvaluesoffinancialassetsandliabilitiesarepresentedinthefollowingtablecanbecomparedtotheircarrying Fair valueestimation Fair Values on anon-recurringbasis. The Commissiondoesnotsubsequently measureanyliabilitiesatfairvalueonarecurringbasis, oranyassetsliabilities atfairvalue - - - The Commissionmeasuresandrecognisesthefollowingassetsatfairvalue onarecurringbasisafterinitialrecognition: 19. Fair Value Measurements 18. FinancialInstruments For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements of AASB 9. of AASB equivalent tofairvalue. Accounts payableandotherpayablesexcludeamountsprovidedforannualleave, whichisoutsidethescope Cash, deposits, term receivables, amountis instrumentsinnaturewhosecarrying andaccountspayableaccrualsareshort-term Financial assets TOTAL FINANCIALLIABILITIES - Financial liabilitiesatamortisedcost: - Financial liabilities TOTALFINANCIAL ASSETS - Financial assetsatamortisedcost:-

freehold landandbuildings. financial assetsatfairvaluethrough othercomprehensiveincome; and financial assetsatfairvaluethrough profitorloss; - term deposits - term - receivablestrade(net) trade payablesandaccruals cash andequivalent (continued) 2,798,248 2,723,956 387,711 387,711 Carrying 74,292 Amount 2019 0 $ 2,798,248 2,723,956 387,711 387,711 74,292 Value Fair 0 $ 1,000,000 4,002,809 2,864,289 270,669 270,669 138,520 Carrying Amount 2018 $ 1,000,000 4,002,809 2,864,289 270,669 270,669 138,520 Value Fair $

Financials

Fair value hierarchy AASB 13: Fair Value Measurement requires the disclosure of fair value information by level of the fair value hierarchy, which categorises fair value measurements into one of three possible levels based on the lowest level that an input that is significant to the measurement can be categorised into as follows: Level 1 – Measurements based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Commission can access at the measurement date. Level 2 – Measurements based on inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 – Measurements based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The fair values of assets and liabilities that are not traded in an active market are determined using one or more valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise, to the extent possible, the use of observable market data. If all significant inputs required to measure fair value are observable, the asset or liability is included in Level 2. If one or more significant inputs are not based on observable market data, the asset or liability is included in Level 3. The following tables provide the fair values of the Commission’s non-financial assets at fair value in the financial position categorised by levels of inputs used to compute fair value. 091 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total fair value northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018

Assets Freehold land 0 0 420,000 420,000 0 0 420,000 420,000 Buildings on freehold land 0 0 523,995 444,834 0 0 523,995 444,834 Leasehold improvements 0 0 0 0 22 85,630 22 85,630 Plant and equipment 0 0 0 0 111,489 63,711 111,489 63,711 TOTAL ASSETS 0 0 943,995 864,834 111,511 149,341 1,055,506 1,014,175

Valuation techniques The Commission selects a valuation technique that is appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data is available to measure fair value. The availability of sufficient and relevant data primarily depends on the specific characteristics of the asset or liability being measured. The valuation techniques selected by the Commission are consistent with one or more of the following valuation approaches: - Market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions for identical or similar assets or liabilities. - Income approach converts estimated future cash flows or income and expenses into a single discounted present value. - Cost approach reflects the current replacement cost of an asset at its current service capacity. 092 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 Financials Valuation techniquesusedtomeasurefairvalueareasfollows: 19. Fair Value Measurements For The Year Ended30June2019 Notes totheFinancial Statements using the best information availableaboutsuchassumptionsareconsideredunobservable.using thebestinformation pricing theassetorliabilityareconsideredobservable, whereasinputs forwhichmarketdataisnotavailableandthereforearedeveloped onactualtransactions)andreflecttheassumptionsthatbuyerssellerswouldgenerallyusewhen as publiclyavailableinformation inputs. inputsandminimisetheuseofunobservable maximise theuseofobservable Inputsthataredevelopedusingmarketdata(such liability, includingassumptionsaboutrisks. When selectingavaluationtechnique, theCommissiongivesprioritytothosetechniquesthat Each valuationtechniquerequiresinputsthatreflecttheassumptionsbuyersandsellerswouldusewhenpricingassetor Equipment Plant and improvements Leasehold Buildings Freehold land Non-financial assets Description 30 June2019 Fairat Value 1,055,506 111,489 523,995 420,000 22 $

30 June2018 Fairat Value 1,014,175 444,834 420,000 85,630 63,711 (continued) $

- - Depreciatedreplacementcost - Capitalisationonanassumedincome - Marketapproachusingrecent Valuation Technique(s) Depreciated replacementcost based oncomparativeproperties similar properties marketdatafor observable - - - - - - - Inputs Used equivalents comparable priceofmodern Replacement costbasedon Useful livesof2to6years market borrowingrate Price persquaremetre; market borrowingrate Price persquaremetre; equivalents comparable priceofmodern Replacement costbasedon Useful livesof5years Market buying/sellingprice The fair value of the Commission’s owner-occupied property as at Name Position From To 30 June 2019 has been determined and approved by the Board on the basis of an independent valuation obtained from Integrated Elizabeth Morris Chairperson 29/03/2010 Current Valuation Services dated 10 May 2017. Such valuations are Samantha Byrne Commissioner 01/07/2013 Current performed on an open market, being the amounts for which the Ali Nur Commissioner 25/07/2016 Current assets could be exchanged between a knowledgeable willing Meredith Day Commissioner 04/10/2016 Current buyer and a knowledgeable willing seller in an arm’s length Chrissy McConnell Staff Elected 10/05/2017 Current transaction at the valuation date. The Commission engages an Commissioner independent valuer to undertake a valuation of the property Tessa Czislowski Commissioner 09/11/2018 Current at least every five years. The fair value measurement for the freehold land and building has been categorised as Level 2 fair (i) Transactions with Commissioners value based on the valuation technique noted above. During the year, surplus legal work has been allocated to legal For those leasehold improvements and plant and equipment that firms. Commissioners who hold executive positions in legal firms are carried at cost, their cost approximates their fair market value. may have surplus legal work allocated to them. All applications for grants of aid received, including those from Commissioners who 20. Segment Information hold executive positions, are on an arm’s length basis and are assessed in accordance with the Commission’s Guidelines. The organisation operates in one industry segment and one 093 geographic location, being the provision of legal services in the legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern Northern Territory of Australia. Related Party Details Amount Nil Nil $Nil 21. Contingent Assets/Liabilities (ii) Remuneration of Commissioners There were no known contingent assets or contingent liabilities of a Transactions for Commissioners who are employees of the significant nature at 30 June 2019 (2018 – $nil). Commission are included in the Remuneration of Executives and Senior Management. Transactions, other than remuneration 22. Related Party Transactions payments and the reimbursement of approved expenses, were The following disclosures are for the Commission’s key paid by the Commission to Commissioners who are non- management personnel. government employees during the reporting year as below:

Governing Board 2019 2018 Key management personnel of the Commission are those $ $ persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of Commission. The Commissioners Details of the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission during the Short-term benefits 1,623 2,103 financial year were: Total 1,623 2,103 094 northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 Transactions, otherthanremunerationpaymentsandthe (iv) Other Transactions Commission toSeniorManagement duringthereportingyear. No loanshavebeenmade, guaranteed or securedbythe (iii) LoanstoResponsiblePersons Senior Managementduringthereportingyear. No retirement benefits have been made by the Commission to (ii) RetirementBenefits (i) RemunerationofExecutivesandSeniorManagement financial yearunlessotherwisestated. The keymanagementpersonnelheldtheirpositionsfortheentire Executives andSeniorManagement 22. RelatedParty Transactions For The Year Ended30June2018 Notes totheFinancial Statements Leeanne Morris Barbara Lelli Fiona Hussin Susan CoxQC Termination benefits benefits Post-employment Name Total benefits Other long-term benefits Short-term Human ResourcesManager Manager Corporate Services Deputy Director Director Position 1,345,981 1,141,562 204,419 2019 0 0 $ (continued) 1,254,356 1,059,858 194,498 2018 0 0 $ employees duringthereportingyearasbelow: Commission toCommissionerswhoarenon-government reimbursement of approved expenses, were paid by the Northern Territory.Northern The auditoroftheCommissionis Auditor-General forthe 23. Auditor’s Remuneration other Northern Territory controlledentities. Government related party transactions entered into during the year with all about The followingtableprovidesquantitativeinformation authorityoftheNorthern statutory Territory. Territory are related parties. Government The Commission is a The Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission and theNorthern Other RelatedParty Disclosure Income Payables Receivables Expenses - Auditor-General forthe: provided bytheNorthern Territory Expense commitmentforservices

financial statements audit oftheCommission Northern Territory Transactions Government 13,547,243 530,710 25,663 9,680 2019 $ 24,000 24,000 2019 13,961,415 $ 542,350 33,275 22,850 22,850 2018 2018 319 $ $ Commission Offices

Darwin Legal Aid Helpline: 9-11 Cavenagh Street, DARWIN NT 0800 1800 019 343 Locked Bag 11, DARWIN NT 0801 Fax (08) 8999 3099 Office hours: Palmerston Monday - Friday 8.00 am - 4.30 pm Shop 6, Goyder Centre, 25 Chung Wah Terrace, PALMERSTON NT 0830 Website address: Fax (08) 8999 4747 www.legalaid.nt.gov.au Katherine Email address: 20 Second Street, KATHERINE NT 0850 [email protected] PO Box 145, KATHERINE NT 0851 Fax (08) 8973 8551 095 NTLegalAid northern territory legal aid commission annual report 2018/19 territory northern Tennant Creek Shop 3, 163 Paterson Street, TENNANT CREEK NT 0860 www.facebook.com/NTLAC PO Box 794, TENNANT CREEK NT 0861 Fax (08) 8962 2439

Alice Springs 77 Hartley Street, ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870 PO Box 969, ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871 Fax (08) 8951 5378 www.legalaid.nt.gov.au