PUBLIC DEFENDERS
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- (b) assign to those appointed public officers and other individuals any functions as the Chief Public Defender considers appropriate for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (a).
(7) Every public defender who is not a public officer is deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of the Penal Code 1871 in relation to his or her carrying out of any function as a public defender.
(8) Despite any other written law, for the purposes of this Act, the following individuals have the right to appear and plead in all courts according to the law in force in those courts:
- (a) the Chief Public Defender and every Deputy Chief Public Defender or Assistant Chief Public Defender;
- (b) a public defender who is assigned under subsection (6)(b) any function that requires the public defender to appear and plead in those courts.
Panels of solicitors
4.—(1) The Chief Public Defender may, if he or she considers necessary, establish one or more panels of solicitors for one or both of the following purposes:
- (a) in relation to an application for criminal defence aid, to investigate and make a report on the application, or to give any opinion on the application or on any question of law arising out of the application;
- (b) to act for individuals receiving criminal defence aid.
(2) Separate panels may be established for different purposes and for different courts.
(3) The Chief Public Defender may determine—
- (a) the term of appointment of a solicitor to a panel and the conditions (if any) of his or her appointment; and
- (b) the assignment of any matter mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) to the solicitor.
