Legal Aid services boosted in NSW Budget

As a part of this, this Budget delivers an additional $30 million to support the work of Legal Aid NSW.

As well as using in-house lawyers, Legal Aid NSW is dependent on private lawyers to provide services across the state.

This Budget allocates a further $125.2 million to maintain payments to private legal practitioners to provide these services.

This is a vital boost for regional lawyers and helps to ensure their viability in country areas.

Additionally, the Legal Aid Disaster Response Legal Service will receive a $2.3 million boost to continue providing trauma-trained lawyers on the ground within 24 hours after people lose their homes due to natural disasters such as fires or floods.

Meanwhile, this Budget includes $40.3 million for legal officers in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to maintain service levels and continue prosecuting criminal offences.

This Budget contains considered and measured funding boosts for critical areas of the justice  system, to ensure they can continue their important work efficiently and effectively. This includes:

• $2 million for an additional judge and support in the Land and Environment Court to assist with fast-tracking development approvals and support the government’s housing agenda
• $5.5 million for the extension of the Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service
• $3 million to fund the growth of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).

Meanwhile, more than $15 million will be spent over 4 years to modernise NSW Trustee and Guardian legacy systems.