MR HAMISH GILMORE

Hamish Gilmore is the Director and CEO of Legal Services Commission of South Australia having served in that position since June 1999.

Hamish has served two terms as Chairman National Legal Aid (2001-02, 2007-08). He holds a Bachelor of Economic Degree from Adelaide University and has held a number of Senior positions throughout his 35 year career in the South Australian public sector.

As a Senior Finance Officer (Budgets) in the SA Treasury Department Hamish was responsible for advising on and monitoring the justice related departments including the SA Attorney-General’s Department, Courts Department, Legal Services Commission and Community Legal Centres. Hamish then became Manager of Resources for the Courts Administration Authority at a time when it was established as an independent Statutory Authority. He subsequently held a similar role in the Attorney-General’s Department leading to his appointment as Commissioner for Consumer Affairs for South Australia in 1995.

Hamish’s career has provided him with a broad overview of the Justice system from several different perspectives. In all of his involvement the paramount importance of the Rule of Law and equitable access to justice has been a guiding influence. Coupled with this has been a keen interest in the administration of justice being executed in the most efficient and cost effective way.

Hamish is committed to pursuing access to justice especially for the underprivileged and has been able to contribute to this goal through membership of national committees and liaison with State and Commonwealth Governments.

The protection of the Rule of Law and pursuits of access to justice requires continual vigilance and effort in a world of constantly changing legislation and fierce competition for scarce public resources and it is in the environment that Hamish finds both significant challenge and professional reward.