Singapore legislation
Clause 8
Clause 8
Grant of legal aid certificate
(1)
Before approving an application for legal aid, the Director shall refer the application to a board (referred to in this section as the board) consisting of the Director and not fewer than 2 solicitors whose names are on the appropriate panel maintained pursuant to section 4.
(2)
The Director may grant to an applicant a certificate stating that the applicant is granted legal aid under the provisions of this Act in connection with any proceedings where —
the board is of the opinion that the applicant has reasonable grounds for taking, defending, continuing or being a party thereto; and
the Director is satisfied —
that the applicant is not possessed of or entitled to disposable capital of a total value exceeding the amount set out in the Second Schedule; and
that the disposable income of the applicant does not exceed the amount set out in the Second Schedule.
(3)
The Director may refuse legal aid if it appears to him unreasonable that the applicant should receive it in the particular circumstances of the case.
(4)
Notwithstanding any provision of this Act or any regulations made thereunder to the contrary, the Minister may authorise the Director to grant a legal aid certificate to any person in any proceedings where the Minister is of the opinion that it is in the public interest that legal aid be granted to the person.