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Guideline 5a – Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal cases

VLA may make a grant of legal assistance to a person applying in the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) to be represented by an in-house practitioner where the case meets the State reasonableness test.

Where a grant of legal assistance is made under this guideline, the means test will not apply.

Documentary requirements

Applications under this guideline are normally only within the simplified grants assessment process

Lawyers seeking a grant of legal assistance via the simplified grants assessment process should submit a completed simplified VLA application form and a Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal checklist only after ensuring that the following documents are retained on file unless they are requested by VLA for assessment:

  • a reference to guideline 5a
  • the lawyer’s assessment of how the matter meets the State reasonableness test
  • documentary proof of any State special circumstances.

Community legal centres

A community legal centre may submit an application under this guideline. All of the following documents should be forwarded to VLA for assessment: