$12.5 million to make applying for legal aid easier
4 October 2023
The NSW Government will invest $12.5 million to make applying for legal help with Legal Aid NSW quicker and easier.
The funding over 10 years will see the existing legal aid application system, known as ATLAS, replaced by a new system with an initial investment of $4.5 million in 2023-24.
Legal Aid NSW CEO Monique Hitter said “the new system will make it easier for people who are eligible for legal aid to access grants of legal aid while also making it easier for private practitioners to work with Legal Aid NSW.”
“The new system will allow us to streamline processes and reduce delays that impact court schedules and timely access to justice,” she said.
“Our ability to reduce waiting times and provide faster turnarounds for legal financial assistance impacts will have a positive effect on all levels of the judicial system.”
Ms Hitter said the replacing the legacy ATLAS system will reduce cyber risks and protect privacy by providing a safe portal for the sharing of sensitive legal and financial information with third parties and government agencies.
