Legal Services Commissioner
Justice Centre I 19 Aitken Street I DX SX10125 I Wel ington
[email address]
2 May 2024
S Smith
[FYI request #26294 email]
Our ref: OIA 111056
Tēnā koe S Smith
Official Information Act 1982 request: Legal Aid Provider Assignments
Thank you for your request to the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry) under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 2 April 2024. Specifically, you requested:
1. Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, how many Whangarei-based Legal Aid
providers have been assigned PAL 1 Legal Aid assignments in Kaitaia?
2. Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, how many Whangarei-based Legal Aid
providers have been paid a travel disbursement to travel to Kaitaia for PAL 1 Legal Aid
assignments?
3. Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, what is the total value of the travel
disbursements paid to Whangarei-based Legal Aid providers for travel to Kaitaia for
PAL 1 Legal Aid assignments?
Your request has been referred to me for a response, as it falls within my responsibilities as
Legal Services Commissioner.
Please note that the following data is drawn from a database that is subject to change, as
new data is continually recorded and/or recoded. Additionally, for questions 2 and 3, the data
provided includes the disbursements ‘Travel time – necessary’ and ‘Travel – personal car –
necessary (mileage)’ only.
I can confirm that there were six Whangarei based providers who had been assigned PAL 1
assignments in the Kaitaia District Court between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.
There were five Whangarei based providers who have claimed travel disbursements when
travelling to Kaitaia District Court to undertake work on a PAL 1 assignment between 1 April
2023 and 31 March 2024. The total value paid for these travel disbursements during this
period was $72,127.82 (excluding GST).
Information about provider travel disbursements can be found on pages 127 – 131 of the
Legal Aid Grants Handbook by going to - justice.govt.nz/about/lawyers-and-service-
providers/legal-aid-lawyers/legal-aid-provider-manuals/grants-handbook/
If you require any further information, please contact Media & Social Media Manager Joe
Locke at [email address].
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at: justice.govt.nz/about/official-information-act-requests/oia-responses/
If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman under section 28(3) of the Act. The Ombudsman may be contacted by phone
on 0800 802 602 or by email to [email address]
Nāku noa, nā
Tracey Baguley
Legal Services Commissioner
