Show Cause Letter

We may send you a ‘show cause’ letter if the Certifying Officer considers that:

• Your case does not continue to meet the legal merits test
• You have not supplied financial information to the Legal Aid Office when requested to do so
• You have not maintained a reasonable level of contact with your Advocate

If you receive a 'show cause' letter do not ignore it. Please contact us to discuss your circumstances. This letter is sent to an assisted person by the Legal Aid Certifying Officer before considering whether to revoke or discharge a legal aid certificate. If you do not respond to a 'show cause' letter your legal aid certificate will either be revoked or discharged.

If a Certificate is revoked the assisted person becomes liable to pay for all the costs of the Nominated Advocate plus VAT and assessment fees because the Certificate is deemed never to have existed.

If a Certificate is discharged the assisted person becomes liable to pay for everything after the date of discharge.