Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

2.   Interpretation

In this Act—

Appeals Tribunal” means the Appeals Tribunal established under section 42;

applicant” means a person who applies for legal aid under this Act;

Authority” means The Saint Lucia Legal Aid Authority established under section 3;

Board” means the Board of the Authority appointed under section 3;

Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Board;

disposable capital” means the property which an applicant for legal aid is possessed of or to which he or she is entitled to excluding—

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    (a)     the subject-matter of the proceedings;

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    (b)     the wearing apparel of the applicant;

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    (c)     the tools of trade of the applicant;

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    (d)     household furniture used by the applicant in his or her house;

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    (e)     a dwelling-house owned and exclusively used by the applicant and his or her family as their home assessed at an annual value of not more than $10,000;

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    (f)     savings of the applicant of up to $30,000, if he or she is of the age of 60 years and above;

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    (g)     moneys standing to the credit of the applicant;

disposable income” means the income of the applicant together with the income, if any, of the spouse of the applicant, during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the date of the application, after deducting—

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    (a)     an amount of $2,000 per annum for each person totally or partially dependent on the applicant or spouse;

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    (b)     an amount of $3,000 per annum for the applicant;

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    (c)     an amount not exceeding $1,000 per annum for rent;

Fund” means the Legal Aid Fund established under section 24;

legal advice” means advice on matters of law given by an attorney-at-law and includes assistance in preparing an application for legal assistance and in furnishing information required for that purpose;

legal aid” means—

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    (a)     education, advice or information in or about the law;

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    (b)     any legal services that may be provided by a law practice or an attorney-at-law;

legal service” means advice or representation;

Minister” means the Minister responsible for justice.