Legal services panels

NSW Government Legal Services Panel

Transport for NSW established the current NSW Government Legal Services (GLS) panel in 2021 as a whole-of-government arrangement.

NSW Government agencies have the discretion to engage the CSO for any work that falls under the GLS panel, at any time. This work is not an off-panel engagement.

Agencies that engage CSO legal services from the panel benefit from administrative arrangements such as management and reporting, including reporting on savings.

All solicitors employed by the CSO can work on matters that fall under the GLS panel.

How to instruct the CSO on GLS matters

To instruct the CSO on a new matter that falls under the GLS panel, email your instructions to crownsol@cso.nsw.gov.au.

Agencies are not required to provide a Legal Services Order (LSO) to engage the CSO under the GLS panel, but may choose to do so.

When instructed on a GLS matter, the CSO will comply with charging disciplines and reporting requirements set out under the GLS panel arrangements.

GLS areas of law

The GLS panel has 6 legal sub-panels covering 26 areas of law (refer to explanation of areas of law DOCX, 21.21 KB). The CSO is approved to provide legal services under all GLS sub-panels and areas of law.

The areas of law in which the CSO most commonly assists agencies are listed below. Numbering and lettering correspond to the GLS categorisation of sub-panels and areas.

Sub-panel 2. Commercial:

• (a)  Commercial and contractual matters

Sub-panel 3. Planning, property, and environment:

• (a) Routine/standard property advice and transactions
• (b) Crown land and local government

Sub-panel 4. Employment, work health and safety (WHS):

• (a) Employment and industrial relations law
• (b) NSW Police specific matters
• (c) Work health and safety
• (d) Discrimination

Sub-panel 5. Government, regulatory and administrative:

• (a) Administrative, statutory interpretation and governance advice
• (b) Statutory applications
• (c) Enforcement, regulation and prosecution

Sub-panel 6. Litigation and inquiries:

• (a) Liability litigation
• (b) General litigation, dispute resolution and debt recovery
• (c) Inquiries