4. For the purpose of carrying out its objects the Commission may exercise and perform all or any of the following powers and functions:
| (a) ensure that legal aid is provided in the most effective, efficient and economical manner; |
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| (b) establish such number of regional or district committees or clinics as it considers necessary, to make legal aid available to as many persons as possible; |
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| (c) determine the matters or classes of matters in respect of which legal aid may be given; |
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| (d) determine guide lines for the administration of the Legal Aid Scheme and for the allocation of work and funds taking into consideration : -
| | (i) the need to maintain the independence of the legal profession; | | |
| | (ii) the desirability of an assisted person being referred to an attorney-at-law of his choice; | | |
| | (iii) the desirability of the services of paid legal staff being made use of where appropriate in the grant of legal aid and the policy and conditions in that regard; | | |
| | (iv) the need for legal assistance to be readily available and easily accessible to deserving persons; | | |
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| (e) determine, having regard to the funds available and taking into account all relevant recommendations, guide lines to be observed in respect of payment of costs and disbursement by assisted persons where proceedings are decided, compromised or resolved; |
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| (f) consult with Government and local authorities, educational institutions and community, neighborhood, professional, social and other groups having an interest in any aspect of the provision of legal aid; |
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| (g) promote, establish, finance and supervise research in respect of legal aid; |
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| (h) initiate and carry out educational programmes designed to promote the understanding-
| | (i) by the members of the legal profession in respect of the need for a scheme of legal aid and their obligations and duties in the maintenance thereof and participation therein; | | |
| | (ii) by the members of the public, who have special needs in that respect, of their rights, powers, privileges and duties under the laws of Sri Lanka; | | |
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| (i) establish, administer, develop and co-operate in experimental programmes law clinics and projects respecting any aspect of the provision of legal aid and for such purposes employ staff necessary to initiate, develop and operate the programmes and projects; |
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| (j) receive and encourage proposals from the public for new programmes and projects; |
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| (k) co-operate with educational institutions and bodies respecting the education and training of persons providing legal aid; |
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| (l) provide information to the public on the availability of legal aid; |
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| (m) make submissions to Law Reform agencies, both in Sri Lanka and abroad and to the State; |
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| (n) make an annual report to the Government of the Republic of Sri Lanka and interim reports to the Minister and the Legal Aid Advisory Council of the work done by the Commission ; |
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| (o) subject to the provisions of this Law employ such persons and do all such acts as may be necessary to carry out the objects and to exercise the powers of the Commission; |
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| (p) own, purchase, alienate or mortgage any movable or immovable property. |
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Sri Lanka Consolidated Acts