The Law Foundation, established in February 1980, provides grants to advance public understanding of the law and access to legal services. Its objectives for funding are legal education, legal research, law reform, legal aid, legal referral service, law libraries and law scholarships.
The board of governors shall consist of the Minister of Justice and Public Safety or his or her appointee; a person who is not a member or a bencher, who shall be appointed by the Minister of Justice and Public Safety; and 5 members in good standing who shall be appointed by the benchers.
The appointment made in accordance with the merit-based appointment process administrated by the Public Service Commission is a person who is a resident of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador interested in serving on the board of governors for the purpose of advancing public understanding of the law and access to legal services. Professional qualifications for this appointment, while beneficial, are not required.
Governors of the Law Foundation should be available to meet one to three times per year. Any applicable committees of the Law Foundation normally meet one to three times per year. Board members may also be expected to spend additional time to review materials and prepare for board and committee meetings.
There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Foundation to be held each year at a time and place to be fixed by the governors.
Special Meetings of the Foundation may be held at such times and places as the governors from time to time determine. A Special Meeting may be convened by the chair or by any three governors at any time.
The maximum term of office of a governor shall be 4 years. A governor is eligible for reappointment after the expiry of his or her term of office. Where a governor holds office for a period of 8 consecutive years, the governor stops being eligible for appointment until the expiration of 12 months from the years in which he or she last held office.
