(1) If the law society considers that there has been, or may have been, a
default by a law practice, it may publish either or both of the following—
(a) a notice that seeks information about the default;
(b) a notice that
invites claims relating to the default and fixes a final date after which
claims relating to the default can not be made.
(2) The final date fixed by
the notice must be a date that is—
(a) at least 3 months after the date of
the first or only publication of the notice; and
(b) not more than 1 year
after the date of that first or only publication.
(3) The notice must be
published—
(a) in a newspaper circulating generally throughout Australia;
and
(b) in a newspaper circulating generally in each jurisdiction where the
law society believes the law practice has an office or, at any relevant time,
had an office; and
(c) on the law society internet site.
(4) The law society
may provide information to persons making inquiries in response to the notice
published under this section.
(5) Apart from extending the period during
which claims can be made under this part, if relevant, publication of the
notice under this section does not confer any entitlements in relation to any
claim, or the default to which it relates, or provide any grounds affecting
the decision of any claim.
(6) Neither the publication in good faith of the
notice under this section, nor the provision of information in good faith
under this section, subjects a protected person to any liability including
liability in defamation.
(7) In this section—
"protected person" means—
(a) the law society or a council member; or
(b)
the proprietor, editor or publisher of a newspaper; or
(c) an internet
service provider or internet content host; or
(d) a person acting at the
direction of a person or entity mentioned in paragraph (a) , (b) or (c) .
