The Legal Fund was formed in April 2001 by South Australian school and pre-school leaders to provide legal assistance and advice to members in work-related situations. It is an incorporated body, which is managed by an Executive Committee elected by members. Membership is open to employees of DECS who are employed as a Principal, Deputy Principal or Assistant Principal of a school, Director of a pre-school, District Director, or Manager of a Support Services Unit.

The Legal Fund retains legal advisers to give opinion on legal matters, or to be engaged in support of a member's application for assistance. It is registered as a professional association with the Australian Tax Office, and is solely funded by members' subscriptions, which are tax deductible.