Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme

# 🇦🇫 Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme The Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme, issued by the Attorney-General's Department, provides financial assistance for the reasonable costs of legal representation. This scheme supports current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members involved in criminal investigations and prosecutions stemming from the Afghanistan Inquiry. This includes legal advice for participation in Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Office of Special Investigator (OSI) investigations, defence against charges, and providing court evidence. ## 👥 Eligibility Criteria Legal financial assistance is available to ADF members and former members who demonstrate one of the following: * Receipt of a request for evidence from the OSI or AFP. * Request or compulsion to provide evidence in criminal proceedings related to AFP/OSI Afghanistan investigations. * Facing criminal charges connected to the AFP/OSI Afghanistan investigations. * Served with a Potentially Affected Person (PAP) Notice by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force or similar notice from another relevant authority concerning the Afghanistan Inquiry. ## ⚙️ Other Instructions & Selection Process The scheme operates under the Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme Guidelines, with detailed cost information available in the Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme Assessment of Costs document. Both documents are accessible via GO Documents. This is a demand-driven scheme. ## 📝 Application Instructions Access to the scheme is through direct application to Legal Financial Assistance Casework at the Attorney-General's Department. Applicants can download the application form from GO Documents and submit the completed form, with attachments, via email to finass@ag.gov.au. For further information or assistance with applications, contact Legal Financial Assistance Casework by telephone at 02 6141 4770 or 1800 117 995, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. No total available funding amount is specified. ## 🔍 Keywords Legal services, legal assistance, Defence Force, ADF, military, Afghanistan Inquiry, criminal investigation, prosecution, legal representation, Attorney-General's Department, Australia, financial assistance, AFP, OSI, legal aid.