I, ROBERT McCLELLAND, Attorney‑General, make these Directions under section 55ZF of the Judiciary Act 1903.

Dated 18 December 2009

ROBERT McCLELLAND

Attorney‑General

1 Name of Directions

  These Directions are the Legal Services Amendment Directions  2009 (No. 1).

2 Commencement

  These Directions commence on the day after they are registered.

3 Amendment of Legal Services Directions 2005

  Schedule 1 amends the Legal Services Directions 2005.

Schedule 1 Amendment

(section 3)

[1] Schedule, after paragraph 4.8

insert

Suppression orders

 4.9 An FMA agency that applies for an order to prohibit or restrict the disclosure or publication of evidence or information (a suppression order) in a proceeding:

 (a) may apply for a suppression order only if it considers suppression of the evidence or information to be reasonably necessary to protect the interests of the Commonwealth; and

 (b) must not apply for a suppression order only to avoid the disclosure or publication of evidence or information that may be embarrassing to the Commonwealth or its agencies.

Note 1   An agency must comply with the relevant rules of court for an application to the court.

Note 2   Paragraph (a) does not prevent an application for a suppression order for evidence or information that may be embarrassing to the Commonwealth or its agencies, if there are legitimate Commonwealth interests to protect.

1. All legislative instruments and compilations are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments kept under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. See http://www.frli.gov.au.