72 Legal Aid Commission 118.—(1) The Legal Aid Commission established by the Legal Aid Act 1996 continues in existence. (2) The Commission shall provide free legal aid services to those members of the public who cannot afford the services of a legal practitioner, in accordance with such rules and guidelines as may be prescribed by or under a written law. (3) The authority, functions and responsibility of the Commission shall be prescribed by written law, and a written law may make further provisions for the Commission. (4) The Commission may regulate its own procedure and may make such rules and regulations as it deems fit for regulating and facilitating the performance of its functions. (5) In the performance of its functions or the exercise of its authority and powers, the Commission shall be independent and shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, except by a court of law or as otherwise prescribed by written law. (6) The Commission shall have the authority to appoint, remove and discipline all staff (including administrative staff) in the Commission. (7) The Commission has the authority to determine all matters pertaining to the employment of all staff in the Commission, including— (a) the terms and conditions of employment; (b) the qualification requirements for appointment and the process to be followed for appointment, which must be an open, transparent and competitive selection process based on merit; (c) the salaries, benefits and allowances payable, in accordance with its budget as approved by Parliament; and (d) the total establishment or the total number of staff that are required to be appointed, in accordance with the budget as approved by Parliament. (8) The salaries, benefits and allowances payable to any person employed in the Commission are a charge on the Consolidated Fund. (9) Parliament shall ensure that adequate funding and resources are made available to the Commission, to enable it to independently and effectively exercise its powers and perform its functions and duties. (10) The Commission shall have the control of its own budget and finances, as approved by Parliament. (11) The Commission shall provide regular updates and advice to the AttorneyGeneral on any matter relating to its functions and responsibilities.