Terminating aid scenario

Scenario – death of client

Jim had a grant of aid for a disability discrimination matter in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal (ADT). He was successful and obtained an award of $20,000. The other side appealed to the ADT appeal panel and Jim obtained another grant of aid for the appeal. The day after the hearing of the appeal Jim's lawyer calls you and says "I just got a call from Jim's wife Edna. Unfortunately Jim died yesterday in a car accident. Edna is the executor of Jim's estate. What happens to the grant?"
 
Suggested action

The grant of aid should be terminated as there is no longer a legally aided person. However, if Edna is eligible for aid you may consider asking her to apply for a grant as the executor of the estate to act as the respondent's legal personal representative to finalise determination of the matter.