Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Legal Profession Act 2004 - SECT 2.2.7.

Prohibition on certain associates

2.2.7. Prohibition on certain associates



(1) Unless the Board gives its approval, a local legal practitioner, or a law
practice in this jurisdiction, must not have a lay associate who the
practitioner or practice knows to be-

   (a)  a disqualified person; or

   (b)  a person who has been found guilty of a relevant offence.



(2) A contravention of subsection (1) is capable of constituting
unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct by any
Australian legal practitioner concerned in the contravention.

(3) A disqualified person, or a person found guilty of a relevant offence,
must not become or seek to become a lay associate of a local legal
practitioner or law practice, unless the person first informs the practitioner
or practice of the disqualification or finding of guilt.

Penalty: 60 penalty units.

(4) Proceedings for an offence under subsection (3) may only be brought within
6 months after discovery of the offence by the Board.

(5) This section does not apply in circumstances prescribed by the
regulations.