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.
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.
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:
Sub-panel 3. Planning, property, and environment:
Sub-panel 4. Employment, work health and safety (WHS):
Sub-panel 5. Government, regulatory and administrative:
Sub-panel 6. Litigation and inquiries:
The Treasury Managed Fund (TMF) is a self-insurance scheme created by the NSW Government to provide coverage for NSW Government agency risk.
Insurance for NSW manages the TMF on behalf of the NSW Treasury. The icare legal services panel arrangement, which commenced on 1 July 2021, centrally manages TMF matters.
The CSO is qualified for the following General Claims legal services streams on the panel:
06 Jun 2024