The Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland has announced a broad review into the procurement of legal services, following increased expenditure.

In the 2007-08 financial year, legal service expenditure increased by more than $102 million to reach $510 million.

McClelland said even after accounting for additional expenditure resulting from the introduction of new agencies, it was clear that more needed to be done to control growing legal expenses.

“This review will look at the existing arrangements for the procurement of legal services and provide advice on how the Commonwealth can most efficiently purchase legal services to deliver value for money for taxpayers,” he said.

“It will also examine how the Commonwealth can more efficiently use in-house legal services.”

Former Clayton Utz partner Sibylle Krieger and former senior public servant Tony Blunn have been commissioned to conduct the review into procurement of legal services.

It is expected to be complete by the end of October 2009.

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