The Independent Review Office (IRO) has released the Indexation Review: Independent Legal Assistance Review Service (ILARS) report.
Following the 2022 ILARS review, IRO accepted in principle the recommendation that the ILARS Fee Schedule be indexed annually, noting the indexation of other, similar fee schedules.
As part of our response to the recommendation, IRO commissioned a report to provide advice on the implementation of indexation of the ILARS fee schedule.
The report was prepared by Dr Matthew Butlin. Dr Butlin is a highly experienced policy advisor and economist, with previous roles including Chair of the South Australian Productivity Commission.
This report provides recommendations on appropriate indexes and advice on the possible types of indexation methods which could be adopted by IRO in the implementation of indexation for ILARS funding.
The Indexation Review report was developed in consultation with several system participants, including:
- State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA)
- icare (Insurance and Care NSW)
- The Law Society of New South Wales
- New South Wales Bar Association
- Australian Lawyers Alliance
- NSW Self Insurers Association
- Legal Aid NSW
- Unions NSW
- The IRO Approved Lawyers User Group
IRO will consider Dr Butlin’s report and recommendations for the implementation of indexation of the ILARS fee schedule, in consultation with stakeholders, as part of its broader response to the ILARS Review recommendations.