Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) may make a grant of legal assistance for an appeal against conviction or conviction and sentence in the Court of Appeal where:
- the applicant was sentenced to a term of immediate imprisonment or detention (unless the applicant is a child)
and
- there is a reasonable prospect of the appeal resulting in a lesser total effective sentence, youth detention order, non-parole period or period prior to recognisance release order (unless the applicant is a child)
and
- there are reasonable grounds for the appeal, which is demonstrated by either:
- the verdict of the jury being unreasonable or not supported having regard to the evidence
- a substantial miscarriage of justice was caused by an error or irregularity in or in relation to the trial
- a substantial miscarriage of justice was caused by any other reason.
and
- it is reasonable to provide legal assistance, having regard to all of the circumstances including any benefit or detriment that may accrue to the applicant or to the public.
'Child' means a child as defined in section 3(a) of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic).
Documentary requirements
Applications under this guideline are only made by the standard grants assessment process.
A lawyer on the section 29A practitioner panel seeking a grant of legal assistance should submit an application via ATLAS for assessment, including the listed documents and information:
- relevant proof of means
- whether the proposed appeal is a second appeal under Part 6.4 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009,
and
- if and when these become available:
- the advice of trial or appellate counsel
- the relevant court transcripts and judgments
- copies of, or a statement setting out the nature of, the fresh evidence.
Updated