NT  Contingency Legal Aid Fund

The Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission Contingency Legal Aid Fund (CLAF) was set up in March 1993 as a result of a seeding grant of $200,000.00 from the Law Society Public Purposes Trust. A subsequent loan of $200,000.00 was made by the NT Legal Aid Commission. The Fund continues to be sustainable and a vital mechanism to access to justice in the NT.

Financial assistance is available to cover the reasonable cost of disbursements and out of pocket expenses incurred during the course of litigation, after the investigation stage. (NTLAC provides limited funding at the initial stage to investigate the client’s prospects of success).  The Fund does not pay solicitor’s professional fees or Counsel’s fees.

Funding is approved to enable a person to bring or defend a civil proceeding in any civil matter where there are reasonable prospects of success and the applicant is likely to be awarded damages or costs.

Funding is by way of a litigation support personal loan contract.

As a private practitioner, if you would like to apply for a CLAF grant you will need to provide the following:

1. Completed CLAF application signed by your client
2. Letter of merit outlining exactly what funding is required for
3. Counsel’s advice
4. Any relevant/supporting medical documents
5. Any relevant/supporting court documents

The Guidelines applicable to CLAF can be found on page 10, Chapter 5: Northern Territory Law Guidelines – Guidelines located here.

For any queries or to obtain a CLAF application, please email the CLAF secretary at claf@legalaid.nt.gov.au