Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Legal Profession Act 2004 - SECT 3.4.35.

Notification of client's rights

3.4.35. Notification of client's rights



(1) A bill must include or be accompanied by a written statement setting out-

   (a)  the following avenues that are open to the client in the event of a
        dispute in relation to legal costs-

   (i)  costs review under Division 7;

   (ii) the setting aside of a costs agreement under section 3.4.32;

   (iii) making a complaint under Chapter 4; and

   (b)  any time limits that apply to the taking of any action referred to in
        paragraph (a).

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a sophisticated client.

(3) A law practice is taken to have complied with the requirement to provide
the written statement referred to in subsection (1) if it provides a written
statement in or to the effect of a form prescribed by the regulations for the
purposes of this subsection.

(4) A regulation prescribing a form for the purposes of subsection (3) may
provide for the form to refer to fact sheets or other documents (whether as
current at the time the regulation commences or any earlier time or as in
force for the time being) that contain details of the kind referred to in
subsection (1).

(5) The regulation may-

   (a)  require the Commissioner to produce and maintain fact sheets or other
        documents that are referred to in the form and to make them available
        on the Internet; and

   (b)  require the fact sheets or other documents to be developed in
        consultation with the professional associations.