• Specific Year
    Any

LEGAL PROFESSION ACT 2004 (NO 99 OF 2004)

Table of Provisions

PART 1.1--PRELIMINARY

PART 1.2--INTERPRETATION

  • 1.2.1 Definitions  
  • 1.2.2 Terms relating to lawyers  
  • 1.2.3 Terms relating to legal practitioners  
  • 1.2.4 Terms relating to associates and principals of law practices  
  • 1.2.5 Home jurisdiction  
  • 1.2.6 Suitability matters  
  • 1.2.7 Information notices  
  • 1.2.8 References to findings of guilt  
  • 1.2.9 References to Parts  

PART 2.1--INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

  • 2.1.1 Simplified outline of Chapter  

PART 2.2--RESERVATION OF LEGAL WORK AND LEGAL TITLES

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--General Prohibitions on Unqualified Practice

  • 2.2.2 Prohibition on engaging in legal practice when not entitled  
  • 2.2.3 Prohibition on representing or advertising entitlement to engage in legal practice when not entitled  
  • 2.2.4 Presumptions about taking or using name, title or description specified in regulations  

Division 3--Prohibitions regarding Associates

  • 2.2.5 Definitions  
  • 2.2.6 Order disqualifying persons  
  • 2.2.7 Prohibition on certain associates  
  • 2.2.8 Approval of associates  

Division 4--Further Prohibitions and Restrictions

  • 2.2.9 Sharing income with unqualified persons  
  • 2.2.10 Permitting or assisting unqualified persons to practise  
  • 2.2.11 Prisoners must not practise  

Division 5--General

  • 2.2.12 Professional discipline  

PART 2.3--ADMISSION OF LOCAL LAWYERS

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Eligibility and Suitability for Admission

  • 2.3.2 Eligibility for admission  
  • 2.3.3 Suitability for admission  

Division 3--Admission to the Legal Profession

  • 2.3.4 Application for admission  
  • 2.3.5 Admission fee  
  • 2.3.6 Admission by the Supreme Court  
  • 2.3.7 Roll of persons admitted to the legal profession  
  • 2.3.8 When is admission effective?  
  • 2.3.9 Local lawyer is officer of the Supreme Court  

Division 4--Functions of Board of Examiners

  • 2.3.10 Functions of Board of Examiners  
  • 2.3.11 Appeal to Supreme Court  

Division 5--Admission Rules

PART 2.4--LEGAL PRACTICE BY AUSTRALIAN LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Legal Practice in this Jurisdiction by Australian Legal Practitioners

  • 2.4.2 Entitlement of holder of Australian practising certificate to practise in this jurisdiction  

Division 3--Local Practising Certificates Generally

  • 2.4.3 Local practising certificates  
  • 2.4.4 Suitability to hold local practising certificate  
  • 2.4.5 Duration of local practising certificate  
  • 2.4.6 Local legal practitioner is officer of Supreme Court  

Division 4--Grant or Renewal of Local Practising Certificates

  • 2.4.7 Criteria for grant or renewal of local practising certificate  
  • 2.4.8 Application for grant or renewal of local practising certificate  
  • 2.4.9 Manner of application and fees  
  • 2.4.10 Timing of application for renewal of local practising certificate  
  • 2.4.11 Late application for renewal of practising certificate  
  • 2.4.12 Grant or renewal of local practising certificate  

Division 5--Additional Conditions on Local Practising Certificates

  • 2.4.13 Conditions generally  
  • 2.4.14 Conditions imposed by the Board  
  • 2.4.15 Variation or revocation of conditions  
  • 2.4.16 Imposition or variation of conditions pending criminal proceedings  
  • 2.4.17 Statutory condition regarding conditions imposed on interstate admission  
  • 2.4.18 Statutory condition regarding supervised legal practice  

Division 6--Amendment, Suspension or Cancellation of Local Practising Certificates

  • 2.4.19 Application of Division  
  • 2.4.20 Grounds for amending, suspending or cancelling local practising certificate  
  • 2.4.21 Amending, suspending or cancelling local practising certificate  
  • 2.4.22 Immediate suspension of local practising certificate  
  • 2.4.23 Effect of suspension  
  • 2.4.24 Other ways of amending or cancelling local practising certificate  
  • 2.4.25 Relationship of this Division with disciplinary provisions  

Division 7--Special Powers in relation to Local Practising Certificates--Show Cause Events

  • 2.4.26 Applicant for local practising certificate—show cause event  
  • 2.4.27 Holder of local practising certificate—show cause event  
  • 2.4.28 Refusal, amendment, suspension or cancellation of local practising certificate—failure to show cause  
  • 2.4.29 Restriction on making further applications  

Division 8--Further Provisions Relating to Local Practising Certificates

  • 2.4.30 Surrender and cancellation of local practising certificate  
  • 2.4.31 Return of local practising certificate  

Division 9--Interstate Legal Practitioners

  • 2.4.32 Extent of entitlement of interstate legal practitioner to practise in this jurisdiction  
  • 2.4.33 Additional conditions on practice of interstate legal practitioners  
  • 2.4.34 Notification requirements for interstate legal practitioners  
  • 2.4.35 Special provisions about interstate legal practitioner engaging in unsupervised legal practice in this jurisdiction  
  • 2.4.36 Interstate legal practitioner is officer of Supreme Court  

Division 10--Reviews

  • 2.4.37 Review of decisions about local practising certificates  
  • 2.4.38 Review of decisions about interstate legal practitioners  

Division 11--Miscellaneous

  • 2.4.39 Protocols  
  • 2.4.40 Consideration and investigation of applicants or holders  

PART 2.5--SUITABILITY REPORTS

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Police Reports

  • 2.5.3 Criminal record checks and police reports  

Division 3--Health Assessments

  • 2.5.4 Health assessments  
  • 2.5.5 Appointment of health assessor  
  • 2.5.6 Health assessment report  
  • 2.5.7 Payment for health assessment and report  
  • 2.5.8 Use of health assessment report  

Division 4--General

  • 2.5.9 Confidentiality of reports  

PART 2.6--INTER-JURISDICTIONAL PROVISIONS REGARDING ADMISSION AND PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 2.6.1 Purpose  
  • 2.6.2 Other requirements not affected  

Division 2--Notifications to be Given by Local Authorities to Interstate Authorities

  • 2.6.3 Official notification to other jurisdictions of applications for admission and associated matters  
  • 2.6.4 Official notification to other jurisdictions of removals from local roll  
  • 2.6.5 Board to notify other jurisdictions of certain matters  

Division 3--Notifications to be Given by Lawyers to Local Authorities

  • 2.6.6 Lawyer to give notice of removal in another jurisdiction  
  • 2.6.7 Lawyer to give notice of removal in foreign country  
  • 2.6.8 Provisions relating to requirement to notify  

Division 4--Taking of Action by Local Authorities in Response to Notifications Received

  • 2.6.9 Peremptory removal of local lawyer's name from local roll following removal in another jurisdiction  
  • 2.6.10 Peremptory cancellation of local practising certificate following removal of name from interstate roll  
  • 2.6.11 Order for non-removal of name or non-cancellation of local practising certificate  
  • 2.6.12 Show cause procedure for removal of lawyer's name from local roll following removal in foreign country  
  • 2.6.13 Local authority may give information to other local authorities  

PART 2.7--INCORPORATED LEGAL PRACTICES AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PARTNERSHIPS

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 2.7.1 Purposes  
  • 2.7.2 Definitions  
  • 2.7.3 Part does not apply to community legal centres  

Division 2--Incorporated Legal Practices

  • 2.7.4 Nature of incorporated legal practice  
  • 2.7.5 Non-legal services and businesses of incorporated legal practices  
  • 2.7.6 Corporations eligible to be incorporated legal practice  
  • 2.7.7 Notice of intention to start providing legal services  
  • 2.7.8 Prohibition on representations that corporation is incorporated legal practice  
  • 2.7.9 Notice of termination of provision of legal services  
  • 2.7.10 Incorporated legal practice must have legal practitioner director  
  • 2.7.11 Obligations of legal practitioner director relating to misconduct  
  • 2.7.12 Incorporated legal practice without legal practitioner director  
  • 2.7.13 Obligations and privileges of practitioners who are officers or employees  
  • 2.7.14 Conflicts of interest  
  • 2.7.15 Disclosure obligations  
  • 2.7.16 Effect of non-disclosure of provision of certain services  
  • 2.7.17 Application of legal profession rules  
  • 2.7.18 Requirements relating to advertising  
  • 2.7.19 Extension of vicarious liability relating to failure to account, pay or deliver and dishonesty to incorporated legal practices  
  • 2.7.20 Sharing of receipts  
  • 2.7.21 Disqualified persons  
  • 2.7.22 Audit of incorporated legal practice  
  • 2.7.23 Investigative powers relating to audits and other matters  
  • 2.7.24 Banning of incorporated legal practices  
  • 2.7.25 Disqualification from managing incorporated legal practice  
  • 2.7.26 Disclosure of information to Australian Securities and Investments Commission  
  • 2.7.27 External administration proceedings under Corporations Act  
  • 2.7.28 External administration proceedings under other legislation  
  • 2.7.29 Incorporated legal practice that is subject to receivership under this Act and external administration under the Corporations Act  
  • 2.7.30 Incorporated legal practice that is subject to receivership under this Act and external administration under other legislation  
  • 2.7.31 Co-operation between courts  
  • 2.7.32 Relationship of Act to constitution of incorporated legal practice  
  • 2.7.33 Relationship of Act to legislation establishing incorporated legal practice  
  • 2.7.34 Relationship of Act to Corporations legislation  
  • 2.7.35 Undue influence  

Division 3--Multi-disciplinary Partnerships

  • 2.7.36 Nature of multi-disciplinary partnership  
  • 2.7.37 Conduct of multi-disciplinary partnerships  
  • 2.7.38 Notice of intention to start practice in multi-disciplinary partnership  
  • 2.7.39 General obligations of legal practitioner partners  
  • 2.7.40 Obligations of legal practitioner partner relating to misconduct  
  • 2.7.41 Actions of partner who is not an Australian legal practitioner  
  • 2.7.42 Obligations and privileges of practitioners who are partners or employees  
  • 2.7.43 Conflicts of interest  
  • 2.7.44 Disclosure obligations  
  • 2.7.45 Effect of non-disclosure of provision of certain services  
  • 2.7.46 Application of legal profession rules  
  • 2.7.47 Requirements relating to advertising  
  • 2.7.48 Sharing of receipts  
  • 2.7.49 Disqualified persons  
  • 2.7.50 Prohibition on partnerships with certain partners who are not Australian legal practitioners  
  • 2.7.51 Undue influence  

Division 4--Miscellaneous

  • 2.7.52 Obligations of individual practitioners not affected  
  • 2.7.53 Regulations  

PART 2.8--LEGAL PRACTICE BY FOREIGN LAWYERS

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 2.8.1 Purpose  
  • 2.8.2 Definitions  
  • 2.8.3 This Part does not apply to Australian legal practitioners  

Division 2--Practice of Foreign Law

  • 2.8.4 Requirement for registration  
  • 2.8.5 Entitlement of Australian-registered foreign lawyer to practise in this jurisdiction  
  • 2.8.6 Scope of practice  
  • 2.8.7 Form of practice  
  • 2.8.8 Application of Australian professional ethical and practice standards  
  • 2.8.9 Designation  
  • 2.8.10 Letterhead and other identifying documents  
  • 2.8.11 Advertising  
  • 2.8.12 Foreign lawyer employing Australian legal practitioner  
  • 2.8.13 Trust money and trust accounts  
  • 2.8.14 Fidelity cover  

Division 3--Local Registration of Foreign Lawyers Generally

  • 2.8.15 Local registration of foreign lawyers  
  • 2.8.16 Duration of registration  
  • 2.8.17 Locally registered foreign lawyer is not officer of Supreme Court  

Division 4--Application for Grant or Renewal of Local Registration

  • 2.8.18 Application for grant or renewal of registration  
  • 2.8.19 Manner of application  
  • 2.8.20 Requirements regarding applications for grant or renewal of registration  

Division 5--Grant or Renewal of Registration

  • 2.8.21 Grant or renewal of registration  
  • 2.8.22 Requirement to grant or renew registration if criteria satisfied  
  • 2.8.23 Refusal to grant or renew registration  

Division 6--Amendment, Suspension or Cancellation of Local Registration

  • 2.8.24 Application of this Division  
  • 2.8.25 Grounds for amending, suspending or cancelling registration  
  • 2.8.26 Amending, suspending or cancelling registration  
  • 2.8.27 Operation of amendment, suspension or cancellation of registration  
  • 2.8.28 Other ways of amending or cancelling registration  
  • 2.8.29 Relationship of Division to Chapter 4  

Division 7--Special Powers in relation to Local Registration--Show Cause Events

  • 2.8.30 Applicant for local registration—show cause event  
  • 2.8.31 Locally registered foreign lawyer—show cause event  
  • 2.8.32 Refusal, amendment, suspension or cancellation of local registration—failure to show cause  
  • 2.8.33 Restriction on making further applications  

Division 8--Further Provisions relating to Local Registration

  • 2.8.34 Immediate suspension of registration  
  • 2.8.35 Surrender of local registration certificate and cancellation of registration  
  • 2.8.36 Automatic cancellation of registration on grant of practising certificate  
  • 2.8.37 Suspension or cancellation of registration not to affect disciplinary processes  
  • 2.8.38 Return of local registration certificate on amendment, suspension or cancellation of registration  

Division 9--Conditions on Registration

  • 2.8.39 Conditions generally  
  • 2.8.40 Conditions imposed by the Board  
  • 2.8.41 Statutory condition regarding notification of offence  
  • 2.8.42 Conditions imposed by legal profession rules  
  • 2.8.43 Compliance with conditions  

Division 10--Interstate-registered Foreign Lawyers

  • 2.8.44 Extent of entitlement of interstate-registered foreign lawyer to practise in this jurisdiction  
  • 2.8.45 Additional conditions on practice of interstate-registered foreign lawyers  

Division 11--Miscellaneous

  • 2.8.46 Consideration and investigation of applicants and holders  
  • 2.8.47 Publication of information about locally registered foreign lawyers  
  • 2.8.48 Supreme Court orders about conditions  
  • 2.8.49 Exemption by Board  
  • 2.8.50 Membership of professional association  
  • 2.8.51 Review by Tribunal  

PART 2.9--COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRES

  • 2.9.1 Definitions  
  • 2.9.2 Supervising legal practitioner  
  • 2.9.3 Notification of temporary engagement of supervising legal practitioner  
  • 2.9.4 Entitlement to recover legal costs  
  • 2.9.5 Regulations  

PART 3.1--INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

  • 3.1.1 Simplified outline of Chapter  

PART 3.2--MANNER OF LEGAL PRACTICE

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Legal Practice Generally

  • 3.2.2 Co-advocacy  
  • 3.2.3 Client access  
  • 3.2.4 Compulsory clerking prohibited  
  • 3.2.5 Compulsory chambers prohibited  
  • 3.2.6 Sole practice by barristers  
  • 3.2.7 Robing not compulsory  
  • 3.2.8 Regulation of other businesses carried on by legal practitioners  

Division 3--Rules for Australian Legal Practitioners and Locally-registered Foreign Lawyers

  • 3.2.9 Rules for Australian legal practitioners  
  • 3.2.10 Rules for foreign lawyers  
  • 3.2.11 Subject-matter of legal profession rules  
  • 3.2.12 Prior consultation with professional associations  
  • 3.2.13 Public notice of proposed legal profession rules  

Division 4--Rules for Incorporated Legal Practices and Multi-disciplinary Partnerships

Division 5--Rules for Approved Clerks

Division 6--General Provisions for Legal Profession Rules

Division 7--Competition

  • 3.2.20 Board to investigate matters relating to competition  
  • 3.2.21 Law practice or practitioner must provide information and documents  
  • 3.2.22 Consultation and comment  
  • 3.2.23 Report of investigation  
  • 3.2.24 Tabling in Parliament and government response  

PART 3.3--TRUST MONEY AND TRUST ACCOUNTS

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 3.3.1 Purposes  
  • 3.3.2 Definitions  
  • 3.3.3 Money involved in financial services or investments  
  • 3.3.4 Determinations about status of money  
  • 3.3.5 Application of Part to law practices and trust money  
  • 3.3.6 Protocols for determining where trust money is received  
  • 3.3.7 When money is received  
  • 3.3.8 Discharge by legal practitioner associate of liability of law practice  
  • 3.3.9 Liability of principals of law practices  
  • 3.3.10 Former practices, principals, associates and approved clerks  

Division 2--Trust Accounts and Trust Money

  • 3.3.11 Maintenance of general trust account  
  • 3.3.12 Trust account details to be notified to Board  
  • 3.3.13 Certain trust money to be deposited in general trust account  
  • 3.3.14 Holding, disbursing and accounting for trust money  
  • 3.3.15 Controlled money  
  • 3.3.16 Transit money  
  • 3.3.17 Trust money subject to specific powers  
  • 3.3.18 Protection of trust money  
  • 3.3.19 Intermixing money  
  • 3.3.20 Dealing with trust money: legal costs and unclaimed money  
  • 3.3.21 Deficiency in trust account  
  • 3.3.22 Reporting certain irregularities and suspected irregularities—legal practitioners  
  • 3.3.23 Reporting irregularities—approved clerks  
  • 3.3.24 Application of privileges  
  • 3.3.25 Keeping trust records  
  • 3.3.26 False names  
  • 3.3.27 Reporting trust balances to the Board  

Division 3--Investigations

  • 3.3.28 When may an investigation be conducted?  
  • 3.3.29 Appointment of inspector  
  • 3.3.30 Identity card  
  • 3.3.31 Production of records  
  • 3.3.32 Power to question associates  
  • 3.3.33 Power to question approved clerks  
  • 3.3.34 Information from external examiners  
  • 3.3.35 Entry for compliance purposes  
  • 3.3.36 Entry or search regarding contraventions  
  • 3.3.37 Search warrants  
  • 3.3.38 Announcement before entry  
  • 3.3.39 Details of warrant to be given to occupier  
  • 3.3.40 Seizure of things not mentioned in the warrant  
  • 3.3.41 Retention and return of things seized under a search warrant  
  • 3.3.42 Copies of seized documents  
  • 3.3.43 Power to obtain information from other Australian legal practitioners and approved clerks  
  • 3.3.44 Power to obtain information from financial institutions and other specified bodies  
  • 3.3.45 Failure to comply with inspector  
  • 3.3.46 Application of privileges  
  • 3.3.47 Inspector must report on investigation  
  • 3.3.48 Cost of investigation  
  • 3.3.49 Secrecy  
  • 3.3.50 Rules for qualification of inspectors  

Division 4--External Examinations

  • 3.3.51 Approval of external examiners  
  • 3.3.52 Annual examination of trust records  
  • 3.3.53 Examination of affairs of law practice in connection with examination of trust records  
  • 3.3.54 Annual report of trust records examination or statutory declaration  
  • 3.3.55 Final examination of trust records  
  • 3.3.56 Disclosure of information  
  • 3.3.57 Board's supervisory role in examinations  
  • 3.3.58 Courses of education for examiners  

Division 5--Provisions Relating to ADIs

  • 3.3.59 Arrangements with ADIs  
  • 3.3.60 ADIs to notify Board of trust accounts  
  • 3.3.61 Reports, records and information  

Division 6--Statutory Deposits

  • 3.3.62 Definitions  
  • 3.3.63 Required deposit amount  
  • 3.3.64 Requirement to deposit with the Board  
  • 3.3.65 Determination of amount and timing of deposit  
  • 3.3.66 Repayment by Board  
  • 3.3.67 Division does not apply to controlled money accounts  
  • 3.3.68 Exemption by Board  
  • 3.3.69 Multiple trust accounts  

Division 7--Approval of Clerks

Division 8--Miscellaneous

PART 3.4--COSTS DISCLOSURE AND REVIEW

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Application of this Part

  • 3.4.3 Application of Part—first instructions rule  
  • 3.4.4 Part also applies by agreement or at client's election  
  • 3.4.5 Displacement of Part  
  • 3.4.6 How and where does a client first instruct a law practice?  
  • 3.4.7 When does a matter have a substantial connection with this jurisdiction?  
  • 3.4.8 What happens when different laws apply to a matter?  

Division 3--Costs Disclosure

  • 3.4.9 Disclosure of costs to clients  
  • 3.4.10 Disclosure if another law practice is to be retained  
  • 3.4.11 How and when must disclosure be made?  
  • 3.4.12 Exceptions to requirement for disclosure  
  • 3.4.13 Additional disclosure—settlement of litigious matters  
  • 3.4.14 Additional disclosure—uplift fees  
  • 3.4.15 Form of disclosure  
  • 3.4.16 Ongoing obligation to disclose  
  • 3.4.17 Effect of failure to disclose  
  • 3.4.18 Progress reports  

Division 4--Legal Costs Generally

  • 3.4.19 On what basis are legal costs recoverable?  
  • 3.4.20 Security for legal costs  
  • 3.4.21 Interest on unpaid legal costs  
  • 3.4.22 Practitioner remuneration orders  
  • 3.4.23 Publication and availability of practitioner remuneration order  
  • 3.4.24 Disallowance of practitioner remuneration order  
  • 3.4.25 Legal Costs Committee  

Division 5--Costs Agreements

Division 6--Billing

  • 3.4.33 Legal costs cannot be recovered unless bill has been served  
  • 3.4.34 Bills  
  • 3.4.35 Notification of client's rights  
  • 3.4.36 Person may request itemised bill  
  • 3.4.37 Interim bills  

Division 7--Costs Review by Taxing Master

  • 3.4.38 Application by clients for costs review  
  • 3.4.39 Application for costs review by law practice retaining another law practice  
  • 3.4.40 Application for costs review by law practice giving bill  
  • 3.4.41 Consequences of application  
  • 3.4.42 Notification of application  
  • 3.4.43 Procedure on review  
  • 3.4.44 Criteria for review  
  • 3.4.45 Costs of review  
  • 3.4.46 Referral for disciplinary action  
  • 3.4.47 Appeal  
  • 3.4.48 Legal costs subject to a civil complaint are not reviewable  

Division 8--Miscellaneous

PART 3.5--PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE

  • 3.5.1 Definition  
  • 3.5.2 Law practices required to insure  
  • 3.5.3 Australian-registered foreign lawyers required to insure  
  • 3.5.4 Community legal centres required to insure  
  • 3.5.5 Trade Practices Act and Competition Code  
  • 3.5.6 Terms and conditions of insurance  
  • 3.5.7 Exemption from insurance requirements  

PART 3.6--FIDELITY COVER

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Defaults to which this Part Applies

  • 3.6.4 Meaning of relevant jurisdiction  
  • 3.6.5 Defaults to which this Part applies  
  • 3.6.6 Defaults relating to financial services or investments  

Division 3--Claims about Defaults

  • 3.6.7 Claims about defaults  
  • 3.6.8 Time limit for making claims  
  • 3.6.9 Advertisements  
  • 3.6.10 Time limit for making claims following advertisement  
  • 3.6.11 Claims not affected by certain matters  
  • 3.6.12 Investigation of claims  
  • 3.6.13 Advance payments  

Division 4--Determination of Claims

  • 3.6.14 Determination of claims  
  • 3.6.15 Maximum amount allowable  
  • 3.6.16 Costs  
  • 3.6.17 Interest  
  • 3.6.18 Reduction of claim because of other benefits  
  • 3.6.19 Subrogation  
  • 3.6.20 Repayment of certain amounts  
  • 3.6.21 Notification of delay in making decision  
  • 3.6.22 Notification of decision  
  • 3.6.23 Appeal against decision on claim  
  • 3.6.24 Appeal against failure to determine claim  
  • 3.6.25 Court proceedings  

Division 5--Payments from Fidelity Fund for Defaults

  • 3.6.26 Caps on payments  
  • 3.6.27 Sufficiency of Fidelity Fund  

Division 6--Claims by Law Practices or Associates

  • 3.6.28 Claims by law practices or associates about defaults  
  • 3.6.29 Claims by law practices or associates about notional defaults  

Division 7--Defaults Involving Interstate Elements

  • 3.6.30 Concerted interstate defaults  
  • 3.6.31 Defaults involving interstate elements if committed by one associate only  

Division 8--Inter-jurisdictional Provisions

  • 3.6.32 Protocols  
  • 3.6.33 Forwarding of claims  
  • 3.6.34 Investigation of defaults to which this Part applies  
  • 3.6.35 Investigation of defaults to which a corresponding law applies  
  • 3.6.36 Investigation of concerted interstate defaults and other defaults involving interstate elements  
  • 3.6.37 Recommendations by Board to corresponding authorities  
  • 3.6.38 Recommendations to and decisions by Board after receiving recommendations from corresponding authorities  
  • 3.6.39 Request to another jurisdiction to investigate aspects of claim  
  • 3.6.40 Request from another jurisdiction to investigate aspects of claim  
  • 3.6.41 Co-operation with other authorities  

Division 9--Miscellaneous

PART 4.1--INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Application of Chapter

  • 4.1.2 Application of Chapter to practitioners and law practices  
  • 4.1.3 Application of Chapter to lawyers, former lawyers and former practitioners  
  • 4.1.4 Conduct to which this Chapter applies—generally  
  • 4.1.5 Conduct to which this Chapter applies—insolvency, serious offences and tax offences  

PART 4.2--MAKING A COMPLAINT

  • 4.2.1 Complaints  
  • 4.2.2 Civil complaints and disputes  
  • 4.2.3 Disciplinary complaints  
  • 4.2.4 Who may make a complaint  
  • 4.2.5 To whom is a complaint made?  
  • 4.2.6 Form and content of complaint  
  • 4.2.7 Time limits for complaints  
  • 4.2.8 Notification  
  • 4.2.9 Further information from complainant  
  • 4.2.10 Summary dismissal of complaints  
  • 4.2.11 Dealing with complaints  
  • 4.2.12 Information about complaints procedure  
  • 4.2.13 No Tribunal fees  
  • 4.2.14 Compensation orders  
  • 4.2.15 Waiver of privilege or duty of confidentiality  
  • 4.2.16 Ex gratia payments to complainants  

PART 4.3--CIVIL COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTES

Division 1--Application of Part

  • 4.3.1 Application of Part  

Division 2--Dealing with Civil Complaints

  • 4.3.2 Effect of complaint on other proceedings  
  • 4.3.3 Lodgement of disputed legal costs with Commissioner  
  • 4.3.4 Dealing with lodged costs  
  • 4.3.5 Commissioner to attempt to resolve civil dispute  
  • 4.3.6 What happens if civil dispute is unsuitable for resolution by Commissioner?  
  • 4.3.7 What happens if dispute resolution fails?  

Division 3--Mediation

  • 4.3.8 Application of Division  
  • 4.3.9 Appointment of mediator  
  • 4.3.10 Mediation  
  • 4.3.11 Admissibility of evidence and documents  
  • 4.3.12 Mediation agreements  
  • 4.3.13 What happens if a party does not attend a mediation?  
  • 4.3.14 What happens if mediation is not successful?  

Division 4--Resolution of Civil Disputes by the Tribunal

  • 4.3.15 Application to Tribunal  
  • 4.3.16 Parties  
  • 4.3.17 What may the Tribunal order?  

PART 4.4--DISCIPLINARY COMPLAINTS AND DISCIPLINE

Division 1--Application of Part

  • 4.4.1 Application of Part  

Division 2--Key Concepts

  • 4.4.2 Unsatisfactory professional conduct  
  • 4.4.3 Professional misconduct  
  • 4.4.4 Conduct capable of constituting unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct  
  • 4.4.5 Conduct that constitutes unsatisfactory professional conduct  
  • 4.4.6 Conduct that constitutes professional misconduct  

Division 3--Investigations

  • 4.4.7 Disciplinary complaints to be investigated  
  • 4.4.8 Investigations without complaint  
  • 4.4.9 Referral to prescribed investigatory body  
  • 4.4.10 Role of prescribed investigatory body on a referral  
  • 4.4.11 Practitioner, law practice and others to provide information and documents  
  • 4.4.12 Investigation to be conducted expeditiously  
  • 4.4.13 What happens after an investigation is completed?  
  • 4.4.14 Notice of decision  

Division 4--Proceedings in the Tribunal

  • 4.4.15 Tribunal to hear and determine application  
  • 4.4.16 Determinations of Tribunal  
  • 4.4.17 Orders requiring official implementation in this jurisdiction  
  • 4.4.18 Orders requiring official implementation in another jurisdiction  
  • 4.4.19 Orders requiring compliance by practitioner  
  • 4.4.20 Alternative finding  

Division 5--Rehearings

  • 4.4.21 Application for rehearing  
  • 4.4.22 Parties and notice  
  • 4.4.23 Rehearing  
  • 4.4.24 Effect of first instance order pending rehearing  

Division 6--Publicising Disciplinary Action

  • 4.4.25 Definitions  
  • 4.4.26 Register of Disciplinary Action  
  • 4.4.27 Publication of information on Register  
  • 4.4.28 Other means of publicising disciplinary action  
  • 4.4.29 Information not to be published pending rehearing or appeal  
  • 4.4.30 Person with infirmity, injury or illness  
  • 4.4.31 General provisions about disclosure of information  

Division 7--Inter-jurisdictional Provisions

  • 4.4.32 Protocols  
  • 4.4.33 Request to another jurisdiction to investigate complaint or conduct  
  • 4.4.34 Request from another jurisdiction to investigate complaint or conduct  
  • 4.4.35 Sharing of information with corresponding authorities  
  • 4.4.36 Co-operation with corresponding authorities  
  • 4.4.37 Compliance with orders made under corresponding laws  
  • 4.4.38 Other powers or functions not affected  

Division 8--Miscellaneous

  • 4.4.39 Jurisdiction of Supreme Court  

PART 5.1--INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION

  • 5.1.1 Purposes  
  • 5.1.2 Definitions  
  • 5.1.3 Application of Chapter to Australian-registered foreign lawyers  
  • 5.1.4 Application of Chapter to other persons  

PART 5.2--INITIATION OF EXTERNAL INTERVENTION

  • 5.2.1 Circumstances warranting external intervention  
  • 5.2.2 Determination regarding external intervention  

PART 5.3--SUPERVISORS

  • 5.3.1 Appointment of supervisor  
  • 5.3.2 Notice of appointment  
  • 5.3.3 Effect of service of notice of appointment  
  • 5.3.4 Role of supervisor  
  • 5.3.5 Powers of entry etc.  
  • 5.3.6 Records of and dealing with trust money of law practice under supervision  
  • 5.3.7 Termination of supervisor's appointment  

PART 5.4--MANAGERS

  • 5.4.1 Appointment of manager  
  • 5.4.2 Notice of appointment  
  • 5.4.3 Effect of service of notice of appointment  
  • 5.4.4 Role of manager  
  • 5.4.5 Powers of entry etc.  
  • 5.4.6 Records and accounts of law practice under management and dealings with trust money  
  • 5.4.7 Deceased estates  
  • 5.4.8 Termination of manager's appointment  

PART 5.5--RECEIVERS

  • 5.5.1 Appointment of receiver  
  • 5.5.2 Notice of appointment  
  • 5.5.3 Effect of service of notice of appointment  
  • 5.5.4 Role of receiver  
  • 5.5.5 Records and accounts of law practice under receivership and dealings with trust money  
  • 5.5.6 Power of receiver to take possession of regulated property  
  • 5.5.7 Power of receiver to take delivery of regulated property  
  • 5.5.8 Power of receiver to deal with regulated property  
  • 5.5.9 Power of receiver to require documents or information  
  • 5.5.10 Examinations  
  • 5.5.11 Lien for costs on regulated property  
  • 5.5.12 Regulated property not to be attached  
  • 5.5.13 Receiver may recover money paid away in bets  
  • 5.5.14 Recovery of regulated property where there has been a breach of trust etc.  
  • 5.5.15 Improperly destroying property etc.  
  • 5.5.16 Deceased estates  
  • 5.5.17 Termination of receiver's appointment  

PART 5.6--GENERAL

  • 5.6.1 Conditions on appointment of external intervener  
  • 5.6.2 Status of acts of external intervener  
  • 5.6.3 Eligibility for reappointment or authorisation  
  • 5.6.4 Appeal against appointment  
  • 5.6.5 Directions of Supreme Court  
  • 5.6.6 Requirement for ADI to disclose and permit access to accounts  
  • 5.6.7 Fees, legal costs and expenses  
  • 5.6.8 Reports by external intervener  
  • 5.6.9 Confidentiality  
  • 5.6.10 External intervener may be reimbursed for damages  

PART 6.1--INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

PART 6.2--LEGAL SERVICES BOARD

Division 1--The Board

  • 6.2.1 Establishment  
  • 6.2.2 Relationship to the Crown  
  • 6.2.3 Objectives  
  • 6.2.4 Functions and powers  

Division 2--Membership

  • 6.2.5 Membership  
  • 6.2.6 Chairperson and deputy chairperson  
  • 6.2.7 Judge or former judge appointed as chairperson  
  • 6.2.8 Elected members  
  • 6.2.9 Appointed members  
  • 6.2.10 Payment of members  
  • 6.2.11 Acting appointments  
  • 6.2.12 When does a member's office become vacant?  
  • 6.2.13 Casual vacancies of elected members  

Division 3--Performance of Functions

Division 4--The Register

  • 6.2.23 Keeping the Register  
  • 6.2.24 Requirement to notify the Board of change of information  

PART 6.3--LEGAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER

Division 1--Establishment, Objectives, Functions and Powers

  • 6.3.1 Establishment  
  • 6.3.2 Objectives  
  • 6.3.3 Functions and powers  
  • 6.3.4 Relationship to Board  

Division 2--Appointment, Terms of Office and Removal

  • 6.3.5 Initial appointment of Commissioner  
  • 6.3.6 Subsequent appointment of Commissioner  
  • 6.3.7 Payment  
  • 6.3.8 Acting Commissioner  
  • 6.3.9 When does the Commissioner's office become vacant?  
  • 6.3.10 Validity of acts and decisions  
  • 6.3.11 Immunity  
  • 6.3.12 Delegation  
  • 6.3.13 Annual report  
  • 6.3.14 Other reports  
  • 6.3.15 Guidelines  

PART 6.4--GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR THE BOARD AND THE COMMISSIONER

Division 1--Staffing

Division 2--Confidentiality

  • 6.4.5 Confidentiality  

PART 6.5--ADMISSION BODIES

Division 1--Council of Legal Education

  • 6.5.1 Composition of Council  
  • 6.5.2 Functions  
  • 6.5.3 Membership provisions  
  • 6.5.4 Meetings  
  • 6.5.5 Deputy for Attorney-General  
  • 6.5.6 Staff and consultants  
  • 6.5.7 Delegation  
  • 6.5.8 Validity of acts or decisions  

Division 2--Board of Examiners

  • 6.5.9 Composition of Board of Examiners  
  • 6.5.10 Functions and powers  
  • 6.5.11 Membership provisions  
  • 6.5.12 Resignation and removal  
  • 6.5.13 Chairperson  
  • 6.5.14 Meetings  
  • 6.5.15 Deputy for Attorney-General or Solicitor-General  
  • 6.5.16 Other deputy members  
  • 6.5.17 Staff and consultants  
  • 6.5.18 Validity of acts or decisions  

PART 6.6--LEGAL PRACTITIONERS' LIABILITY COMMITTEE

Division 1--Liability Committee

  • 6.6.1 Continuation of Committee  
  • 6.6.2 Liability Committee not to represent the Crown  
  • 6.6.3 Functions and powers  
  • 6.6.4 Membership  
  • 6.6.5 Qualifications for membership  
  • 6.6.6 Payment of members  
  • 6.6.7 Acting members  
  • 6.6.8 Meetings  
  • 6.6.9 Resolutions without meetings  
  • 6.6.10 Validity of acts or decisions  
  • 6.6.11 Conflicts of interest  
  • 6.6.12 Staff and consultants  
  • 6.6.13 Confidentiality  
  • 6.6.14 Annual report  

Division 2--Legal Practitioners' Liability Fund

  • 6.6.15 Requirement for Liability Fund  
  • 6.6.16 Payments into Liability Fund  
  • 6.6.17 Payments out of Liability Fund  
  • 6.6.18 Investment of Fund  
  • 6.6.19 Levies  

PART 6.7--FUNDING

Division 1--Public Purpose Fund

  • 6.7.1 Public Purpose Fund  
  • 6.7.2 Accounts in Public Purpose Fund  
  • 6.7.3 General Account  
  • 6.7.4 Statutory Deposit Account  
  • 6.7.5 Distribution Account  
  • 6.7.6 Expenses of the Board  
  • 6.7.7 Expenses of the Commissioner  
  • 6.7.8 Expenses of the Tribunal  
  • 6.7.9 Legal aid funding  
  • 6.7.10 Funding of law-related services and activities  
  • 6.7.11 Board may take into account previous funding  
  • 6.7.12 Timing of payments and instalments  
  • 6.7.13 Payments to Fidelity Fund  
  • 6.7.14 Payments to professional associations for continuing legal education programs etc.  

Division 2--Fidelity Fund

  • 6.7.15 Requirement for Fidelity Fund  
  • 6.7.16 Purpose of Fidelity Fund  
  • 6.7.17 Payments into the Fidelity Fund  
  • 6.7.18 Payments out of the Fidelity Fund  
  • 6.7.19 Solvency  
  • 6.7.20 Payments to liquidators etc.  
  • 6.7.21 Public Purpose Fund  
  • 6.7.22 Insurance  
  • 6.7.23 Borrowing  

Division 3--Fidelity Fund Contributions and Levies

  • 6.7.24 Determination of contributor classes  
  • 6.7.25 Determination of contributions  
  • 6.7.26 Payment of contributions in respect of local practising certificates  
  • 6.7.27 Payment of contributions by interstate legal practitioners  
  • 6.7.28 Payment of contributions by community legal centres  
  • 6.7.29 Payment of contributions by approved clerks  
  • 6.7.30 Persons who are members of more than one class  
  • 6.7.31 Determination of levy  
  • 6.7.32 Who must pay a levy?  
  • 6.7.33 When is a levy payable?  
  • 6.7.34 Board may recover contribution or levy  
  • 6.7.35 Employer must pay contribution or levy or reimburse employee  

PART 7.1--REGULATION OF CONVEYANCING BUSINESSES

  • 7.1.1 Definitions  
  • 7.1.2 Employment or engagement in conveyancing business  
  • 7.1.3 Authorisation of employment or engagement  
  • 7.1.4 Unqualified persons must inform prospective employers  
  • 7.1.5 Conveyancers must disclose insurance etc.  
  • 7.1.6 Board may require information and documents from conveyancers  

PART 7.2--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Division 1--Notices and Evidentiary Matters

  • 7.2.1 Service of notices on local legal practitioners, locally registered foreign lawyers and law practices  
  • 7.2.2 Service on the Board and Commissioner  
  • 7.2.3 Service of notices on other persons  
  • 7.2.4 When is service effective?  
  • 7.2.5 Evidentiary matters  

Division 2--Investigation and Prosecution of Offences

  • 7.2.6 Board may appoint person to investigate  
  • 7.2.7 Assistance with investigation  
  • 7.2.8 Investigator must report on investigation  
  • 7.2.9 Secrecy  
  • 7.2.10 Who may prosecute offences?  

Division 3--General

  • 7.2.11 Liability for negligence etc.  
  • 7.2.12 Liability of principals  
  • 7.2.13 Injunctions  
  • 7.2.14 Disclosure of information by local regulatory authorities  
  • 7.2.15 Confidentiality of personal information  
  • 7.2.16 Destruction of documents  

Division 4--Regulations

PART 8.1--REPEALS AND AMENDMENTS

PART 8.2--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

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