The Department of Justice and Community Safety has appointed a new Victorian Government Legal Services Panel for an initial period of three years.
The Panel commenced on 1 July to provide access to high-quality, value-for-money legal services for Government departments and agencies, with a focus on vulnerable and under-represented Victorians.
According to the Department, after an extensive open tender process the Panel has grown from 28 to 35 law firms, including the appointment of a 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.
The Department said the areas of law to be covered by the Panel are:
Construction, Infrastructure & Major Projects;
Administrative Law;
Commercial & Contracts;
General Litigation
Employment, Industrial Relations & Equal Opportunity;
Public Inquiries;
Property;
Personal Injuries;
Planning & Environment;
Coronial Inquiries;
Intellectual Property & Information Technology; and
Legal Support Services.
It said the 35 law firms would provide the legal services with each one offering specific legal services.
“Agencies may only approach a firm if it covers the required Area of Law that they are requiring services for,” it said.
It said each large law firm would also be required to provide a full-time, pro bono secondee to a Community Legal Centre, which would 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,” the Department said.
It said the full list of firms and the legal services they provide could be found in the website ‘Buying for Victoria’ until 30 June 2026.
The Legal Services Panel Contract can be accessed on the website at this PS News link.
