Legal Services has a board of management made up of five Commissioners who determine policy and hear appeals from persons who have been refused legal aid (as part of the Panel of Assessors).
Legal assistance is provided through two programs - the Representation Program and the Legal Information and Advice Program. These two service delivery programs are supported by a Support Services Program.
The Commissioners are:
The current Commissioners are Mr Peter Slattery (Chairperson), Ms Annmarie Lumsden (CEO & Director), Ms Stephanie Halliday, Ms Jane Abbey KC and Mr Henry Botha.
Our latest Annual Report is available to download as a complete PDF document below.
 | Annual Report 2024-25, Legal Services Commission of South Australia (PDF 22.7 MB) |
See also our prior Annual reports:
Legal Services receives funding from:
The large majority of funding (approximately 80%) comes from the Commonwealth and South Australian governments.
Both the Commonwealth and State governments provide funding to Legal Services to enable it to carry out its functions. Commonwealth Government funding is used for Commonwealth related legal matters and specific Commonwealth projects and State Government funding is used for State related legal matters and specific State projects.
Funding from the Commonwealth Government is provided under the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services. The current Agreement commenced on 1 July 2015 and expires on 30 June 2020. Over the life of the Agreement the Commonwealth Government will provide funds to the Commission of approximately $80m.
The State Government funds the Commission through the State budget process, providing base funding of approximately $110m from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2020.
In addition, both the State and Commonwealth governments provide–
The Legal Practitioners Act 1981 (SA) provides for Legal Services to receive a percentage of the funds in the statutory interest account maintained under that Act.
Legal Services may, at the discretion of the State Attorney-General and the Law Society of South Australia, also receive a percentage of the excess funds held in the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund. The funds generated pursuant to the Legal Practitioners Act are considered to be State funds for the purpose of reporting State and Commonwealth income.
The Commission recoups as much of the expense of providing legal representation as it can from the person receiving the representation (within the limit of what that person can afford to pay). Each person who receives legal representation is required to pay an initial contribution towards their legal expenses. The amount of the contribution is determined by reference to the applicant's means and the expected cost of the services the Commission is to provide. The contribution is applicable whether the matter is conducted by an in-house lawyer or an external lawyer (private practitioner).
Depending on the circumstances, some people are required to make further payments or even full repayment of their legal costs. Where the person (or any person giving them financial support) has real estate, the repayment is secured by the Commission taking a statutory charge over the real estate of the person. The charge is exercised on the sale or disposal of the property by the owner. Statutory charges are not imposed if legal costs incurred are less than $2,530. The Commission also recovers legal costs where there has been a court order awarding costs in litigation.
Legal Services self generates funds in the following ways:
We embrace diversity and welcome all people, irrespective of culture, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
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Legal Services acknowledges Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and ongoing occupants of the lands and waters in South Australia and we respect their spiritual, cultural and heritage beliefs. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community and pay our deep respect to Elders past and present.
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