Access to appropriate legal assistance is important for the welfare and fair treatment of current and former serving Australian Defence Force members who participated in the Afghanistan Inquiry and/or are now participating in criminal investigations or proceedings relating to matters arising from the Afghanistan Inquiry.
The appropriate scheme for provision of legal assistance depends on an individual’s circumstances and the purpose for which they seek legal assistance.
The Commonwealth has established the Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme, which commenced on 30 September 2021, for current and former serving Australian Defence Force members who are the subject of, or participating in, criminal investigations and prosecutions relating to matters arising from the Afghanistan Inquiry.
For guidance on the legal assistance scheme appropriate to your circumstances, and how to apply, please contact Defence Counsel Services.
Current and former serving Australian Defence Force members who are the subject of, or participating in, criminal investigations and prosecutions relating to matters arising from the Afghanistan Inquiry may be eligible for legal assistance under the Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme (AILAS).
The AILAS commenced on 30 September 2021.
Visit Legal Assistance for more information.
The Commonwealth has established the Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme (AILAS), which commenced on 30 September 2021.
The AILAS will fund the reasonable costs of legal representation for current and former serving Australian Defence Force members who are the subject of, or participating in, criminal investigations and prosecutions relating to matters arising from the Afghanistan Inquiry.
Visit Legal Assistance for more information.
Prior to the establishment of the Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme (AILAS), grants of funding were available for current and former serving Australian Defence Force members for the purposes of:
- participating in the Afghanistan Inquiry through Defence Counsel Services; or
- participating in criminal investigations or proceedings relating to matter subject of the Afghanistan Inquiry under Appendix E of the Legal Services Directions 2017.
Any grant made under Appendix E of the Legal Services Directions 2017 or through Defence Counsel Services before the commencement of the AILAS relating to the matters subject of the Afghanistan Inquiry will continue until the existing grant is exhausted or expired.
Defence encourages anyone who may be affected by the Afghanistan Inquiry to seek help early so that assistance can be provided.
Support services are available to those affected by the Afghanistan Inquiry whether they are current or former serving Australian Defence Force personnel or their families.
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