ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the changes to the framework and regulation of provision of legal services to the Commonwealth. The Legal Services Directions are issued by Attorney-General and apply to all Commonwealth legal work, including that performed by private law firms. A relatively recent phenomenon, the growth of in-house legal practices in government has led to fragmentation of the formerly highly centralised legal services delivery system. The government has responded to the Blunn Krieger Report, but only with respect to its recommendations on the most efficient and effective means of delivering legal services. The Network's role also includes improving the attractiveness of government legal practice through a range of development opportunities', mirroring one of the objectives of establishing the GLS in the UK. The concerns regarding the involvement of Law Officers and the Attorney-General's Department in the development of government policy, and ability of the Law Officers to fulfil their roles, have not been addressed directly by the Commonwealth's reforms.
