The Department of Justice and Community Safety recently appointed a new Victorian Government Legal Services Panel (the Panel), which commenced on 1 July 2023 for an initial period of three years.
The Panel provides access to high-quality, value-for-money legal services to Victorian Government departments and agencies, with a focus on vulnerable and under-represented Victorians.
After an extensive open tender process, the Panel has grown from 28 to 35 law firms, including the appointment of one regional Victorian firm and one Aboriginal firm.
As part of their appointment, each firm will complete a minimum of 60% pro bono work in collaboration with a Victorian Community Legal Centre, as well as providing innovative pricing options.
Each large law firm will also be required to provide a full-time, pro bono secondee to a Community Legal Centre, which will increase the capacity of Community Legal Centres to deliver legal services to vulnerable Victorians.
Firms on the Panel need to provide at least 50% of barrister briefs and counsel fees to female barristers, and will be required to report on diversity policy and practices as well as gender pay gaps.
Areas of law to be covered by the Panel are as follows:
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Construction, Infrastructure & Major Projects;
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Administrative Law;
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Commercial & Contracts;
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General Litigation
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Employment, Industrial Relations & Equal Opportunity;
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Public Inquiries;
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Property;
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Personal Injuries;
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Planning & Environment;
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Coronial Inquiries;
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Intellectual Property & Information Technology; and
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Legal Support Services.
Visit Buying for Victoria (External link) for the full list of firms and the legal services they provide.