ILARS Funding Guidelines Practice Notes

The Practice Notes support the Independent Legal Assistance and Review Service (ILARS) Funding Guidelines.

They set out how the Independent Review Office (IRO) applies the Guidelines in practice.

Background

In 2022, the IRO completed an independent review of ILARS with an expert committee. The review made 31 recommendations. Recommendations 3, 4, 5 and 6 focused on:

• adding Practice Notes to support the ILARS Guidelines
• setting up an Approved Lawyer (AL) User Group

The IRO accepted these recommendations. In 2023, the IRO established the Approved Lawyer User Group. This group provides a forum for Approved Lawyers who regularly use the Guidelines to:

• give feedback
• identify issues
• support consistent and effective use of the Guidelines

The IRO develops Practice Notes to address issues raised in the review, as well as other areas where further guidance is needed for both Approved Lawyers and internal staff.

Purpose of the Practice Notes

The Practice Notes:

Development

The Practice Notes are developed by the IRO in consultation with the IRO Approved Lawyer User Group.

Using the Practice Notes

The Practice Notes also:

• outline the supporting documents and information required for funding applications
• assist ILARS grant managers to assess requests for funding
• provide guidance for Approved Lawyers considering a review of a funding decision

Related information

ILARS Funding Guidelines