PAL 1 Legal Aid providers being paid to travel to Kaitaia
S Murray made this Official Information request to Ministry of Justice
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From: S Murray
Dear Ministry of Justice,
The Legal Aid grants handbook sets out Location Exceptions, in which Legal Aid assignments may be made to, and travel disbursements claimed by, providers from outside the local area. (see attached link, at p 54 - https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Docum... )
The Location Exception for Kaitaia, for PAL 1 Legal Aid assignments, allows assignments to be made to, and travel disbursements claimed by, providers from Kerikeri and Kaikohe.
I seek the following information:
1. Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, how many Whangarei-based Legal Aid providers have been assigned PAL 1 Legal Aid assignments in Kaitaia?
2. Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, how many Whangarei-based Legal Aid providers have been paid a travel disbursement to travel to Kaitaia for PAL 1 Legal Aid assignments?
3. Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, what is the total value of the travel disbursements paid to Whangarei-based Legal Aid providers for travel to Kaitaia for PAL 1 Legal Aid assignments?
Yours faithfully,
S Smith
From: OIA@justice.govt.nz
Ministry of Justice
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From: OIA@justice.govt.nz
Ministry of Justice
Kia ora S Smith,
Thank you for emailing the Ministry of Justice.
We acknowledge receipt of your request under the Official Information Act
1982.
This has been forwarded onto the relevant business unit to respond to.
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You can expect a response by 2 May 2024.
Nga mihi,
Ministerial Relations and Services | Strategy, Governance and Finance
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture
Level 6 Justice Centre | Aitken Street
DX Box SX 10088 | Wellington
[1]www.justice.govt.nz
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From: Media - Justice
Ministry of Justice
Kia ora S Smith,
Please find the attached response to your OIA request for PAL 1 Legal Aid
provider information.
Ngā mihi,
Communications Services
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture
www.[1]justice.govt.nz
References
Visible links
1. http://www.justice.govt.nz/
From: S Murray
Dear Media - Justice / Ms Baguley,
Thank you for the response to my OIA.
Given that the approximately $72,000 in travel disbursements identified would appear to have been paid in direct contravention of the Legal Aid Grants Handbook, could you please provide the basis for the travel disbursements being paid?
I am concerned that the five Whangarei-based PAL 1 providers identified have been fraudulently invoicing the Legal Services Agency.
From: Media - Justice
Ministry of Justice
Kia ora S Murray,
I will pass this request for information on, and will come back to you.
Ngā mihi,
Katarina
Katarina Fauvel (nee Williams) (she/her)
Senior Advisor, Media | Communication Services
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture
M 027 390 2703
E: [email address] | justice.govt.nz
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