About the Authority
The Review Authority was established on 1 July 2011 under the Legal Services Act 2011. The Authority forms part of the quality framework to improve the quality of services provided by legal aid providers.
The purpose of the Act is to promote access to justice by establishing a system that provides legal services to people of insufficient means, and delivers those services in the most effective and efficient manner.
The Act establishes the Authority with powers to review decisions about legal aid provider approvals.
The function of the Review Authority is to review decisions of the Secretary for Justice. It conducts reviews based on written submissions called a ‘hearing on the papers’.
The Authority is a person who is enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court. He or she is appointed by the Minister of Justice.
The Authority is supported by the Tribunals Unit in the Ministry of Justice whose staff provide registration, case management, and other administrative services.
