Frequently Asked Questions
General
- How long does it take to become a Listed Provider?
- How can I get a copy of the Provider Manual and/or Manual updates?
- Why does it take the Agency ten working days to process releases of Statutory Land Charges?
- Can the Agency pay for a senior provider to supervise a junior working on a legally aided case?
Application for Approval as a Listed Provider
- How do I get onto the Legal Aid List, the Duty Solicitor and/or PDLA Scheme?
- Is the procedure different if I want to apply to advance my Criminal – Proceedings Category?
- Do I have to complete all parts of the application form?
- If I am a barrister sole, do I have to complete the firm details panel on the application form?
- How do I get on to the duty solicitor roster?
Changing Your Listed Provider Details
- Who do I have to notify when I change employment?
- If I move firms or go into sole practice, do I retain the same provider number?
- Who do I advise when only my address or phone number changes?
- Who should I advise if I change my bank account number?
- If I relocate to another region, will I have to re-apply for my listings or sign a new contract?
- When my Litigation Experience Level increases, what do I have to do to get it recorded so I will be paid at the correct rate?
Word Template Forms
- I want to install the forms on a network - ie not on a C drive
- I have Word 97, will the forms work on this?
- I have the LSA Forms dropdown menu but no smiley face appears on my tool bar
- No drop down menu appears
- I have TWO LSA Forms drop down menus appearing on my toolbar
- When I try and open a form I get an “Error 5151” box appearing
- Can I download the forms as Word documents?
- Can't uninstall old version of template forms
- Office 2007. Addins don't show LSA Template Forms.
- Other problems?
General
How long does it take to become a Listed Provider?
It takes up to 8 weeks, as it depends on a number of factors e.g. when in the listing “cycle” the application is submitted and whether all of the required information is provided.
How can I get a copy of the Provider Manual and/or Manual updates?
The Agency has developed a new Provider Manual to reflect the changes made by the Legal Services Amendment Act 2006.
In February 2007 the Agency sent one copy of the new Manual free of charge to each law firm (including sole practitioners) listed with the Agency. New firms (including sole practitioners) listing with the Agency are automatically sent a free hardcopy of the Manual.
A soft copy version of the Manual is available on this website free of charge and additional hardcopy versions are obtainable from the Agency on request at a cost of $45 per Manual. Requests should be sent to provider@lsa.govt.nz or Legal Services Agency, PO Box 5333, Wellington. The Agency requires a cheque for the relevant amount and your physical address details in order to courier the Manual(s).
The Manual is regularly updated by email and through this website. For the small number of providers who are unable to access the updates electronically, the Agency can arrange to postal mail updates.
Why does it take the LSA ten working days to process releases of Statutory Land Charges?
In some cases it doesn't take that long. Where debt is being repaid, then the processing time for releasing SLCs may be less. However, many legally aided people are unable to repay their debt from the sale of property, or seek to transfer the charge. This requires additional assessment by the Agency in deciding whether to accept or decline the application for release.
The Agency asks applicants to allow ten days in order to validate the application against the file, ensure the Agency's interests are protected, make a recommendation to Head Office and record and communicate the decision to the practitioner.
Every effort is made to keep processing time to a minimum.
It is also important that the discharge process begins as soon as possible. If practitioners are not prompt in requesting releases of charges once they know a sale of property is under contract, it can it can result in a delay in the sale becoming unconditional.
Can the Agency pay for a senior provider to supervise a junior working on a legally aided case?
The Agency does not pay for this. If firms assign juniors to cases, they need to cover supervision costs themselves. If the junior has an appropriate listing with the Agency they can take legal aid work in their own right.
Application for Approval as a Listed Provider
How do I get onto the Legal Aid List, the Duty Solicitor and/or PDLA Scheme?
All applications must be submitted on the appropriate application form.
The form along with supporting material sent to: Provider List Administration, Legal Services Agency, PO Box 5333, Wellington (DX – SP 22526) or fax (04) 495-5911
The lead provider approval process is carried out monthly. The cut-off date for applications is usually the 15th of each month. Depending on when you submit your application, it may take up to eight weeks before you receive the Agency’s decision. In most cases, secondary provider applications are assessed for approval on a weekly basis.
If approved you will be offered a contract for services, or if you are already a listed provider, your listing will be updated and you will be sent a new schedule A to your contract for services.
If your application is declined in whole or in part, the Agency will write to you, advising you of the reasons for the decline, and setting out the options you may wish to pursue.
Is the procedure different if I want to apply to advance my Criminal – Proceedings Category?
No. It is exactly the same as for when you make your initial application for Criminal – Proceedings Category 1. That is, you must complete the Lead Provider Application form and provide supporting material.
Do I have to complete all parts of the application form?
Yes. If insufficient information is provided, or the application is considered to be incomplete, it will impede the progress of your application. If the Statutory Declaration has not been completed, your application will be returned to you.
If I am a barrister sole, do I have to complete the firm details panel on the application form?
Yes. Your address details are taken from this panel and even if you are practising as a barrister sole, you may choose to record your first and last name rather than initials and surname. This is the information we need to know because it will be recorded on the Provider List database and if you are paid by cheque it is the name that will be written on the cheque.
How do I get on to the duty solicitor roster?
Once you have completed the Duty Solicitor Training Programme and received your certificate of completion, you must apply for listing approval as a duty solicitor using the Lead Provider Application form.
The form should be sent to: Provider List Administration, Legal Services Agency, PO Box 5333, Wellington (DX – SP 22526) or fax (04) 495-5911
Changing Your Listed Provider Details
Who do I have to notify when I change employment?
When you leave your current employment and enter another practice, or go into sole practice, you need to notify Legal Services Agency Head Office. It is important that changes of employment are notified promptly so that there is no interruption to your listed provider status. You can do this by completing a Change of Details form (pdf 137kb) and a Direct Crediting form (pdf 27kb)
The forms should be sent to: Provider List Administration, Legal Services Agency, PO Box 5333, Wellington (DX – SP 22526) or fax (04) 495-5911
You will be sent confirmation when the changes have been made.
If I move firms or go into sole practice, do I retain the same provider number?
No. Providers are individually listed, however our system requires providers to be attached to a firm or practice name. That means your record cannot be moved to reside under another firm or practice name. Instead, we have to generate a new record to change your provider number and issue a new schedule to your contract. See the question: Who do I have to notify when I change employment bookmark to above answer
Who do I advise when only my address or phone number changes?
Provider List Administration at the Legal Services Agency Head Office. Changes need to be made in writing and can be mailed, faxed or emailed to:
Provider List Administration, Legal Services Agency, PO Box 5333, Wellington (DX – SP 22526)
Fax (04) 495-5911
provider@lsa.govt.nz
Who should I advise if I change my bank account number?
Changes to your bank account must be made in writing and preferably with a copy of a deposit slip which includes your new bank account number. The Agency has produced a Direct Crediting form (pdf 27kb) to assist.
If I relocate to another region, will I have to re-apply for my listings or sign a new contract?
No. Your current contract remains valid and you retain your legal aid, duty solicitor or PDLA listings, unless they are conditional on your working in a certain location e.g. if you are a Criminal – Proceedings Category 1 provider who has been granted a conditional approval to carry out PDLA work in a rural area and you are relocating to a metropolitan area from a rural town, this dispensation will not carry over.
When my Litigation Experience Level increases, what do I have to do to get it recorded so I will be paid at the correct rate?
When your experience level increases to Level 2 (4-9yrs) or Level 3 (over 9yrs), you need to apply to Legal Services Agency Head Office to increase your level, using the Litigation Experience Level form (pdf 46kb)
It is recommended that if you believe your litigation experience level is due to increase, you apply 2 weeks before as the Agency does not backdate litigation experience levels.
The form should be sent to: Provider List Administration, Legal Services Agency, PO Box 5333, Wellington (DX – SP 22526) or fax (04) 495-5911
If the increase is approved you will be sent a new schedule A to your contract.
