7. Power of Director to make inquiries

Where an application is made for legal aid, the Director may —

make any inquiries that the Director thinks fit as to the means and condition of the applicant and as to the merits of the case;

require the applicant to furnish such information and such documents as the Director may require for the purpose of considering the application;

require the applicant to attend personally;

refer the application or any matter arising out of the application to any solicitor whose name is on the appropriate panel maintained pursuant to section 4 to investigate the facts and make a report on the application or to give any opinion on the application or on any question of law arising out of the application;

take or cause to be taken such steps as may be necessary to conserve the interests of the applicant pending determination of the application; and

defray expenses incidental to any of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e) out of any funds in the Director’s control which are available for the purpose.