Regulation of the Profession and Ethics
The Law Council is a major participant and contributor to shaping legal profession regulation throughout Australia, at both the State and Territory level through its work on the Legal Profession Acts and the Legal Profession Uniform Law scheme, and through its advocacy on federal proposals that affect the legal profession.
In addition to its work on the primary legal profession regulatory laws and policies, the Law Council develops the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules, which are a single set of professional conduct rules for all Australia’s solicitors. The Law Council has released a Discussion Paper for a Review of the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules and is inviting Submissions by 31 May 2018.
In the current federal arena, the Law Council is a strong advocate against the extension of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing regime’s regulatory requirements to lawyers. Central to the Law Council’s advocacy is concern the legislation’s suspicious matter reporting obligations are inconsistent with fundamental common law doctrines and principles that underpin the professional obligations and functions of lawyers in Australia. At risk are; client legal privilege, client confidentiality, the client-lawyer relationship and ultimately the independence of the legal profession.
The Law Council’s Policy Division works collaboratively with State and Territory Law Societies and Bar Associations and its other constituent bodies and Sections on developing and promoting regulation that is efficient, consistent and effective.
Law Council
Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules
Law Council
Anti-money laundering vulnerabilities analysis
Law Council
Regulating Buy Now, Pay Later in Australia
Business Law Section
Consultation on proposed guidance relating to employee due diligence
Business Law Section
Communication and engagement in livestock export regulation
Business Law Section
Consultation on ESS transitional arrangements
Legal Practice Section
Remake of ACNC Regulations
Law Council
The Model Legal Profession Bill
Law Council
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Law Council
Client Legal Privilege
Law Council
Tranche Two Reforms and Consultation
Law Council
Legal Profession Uniform Law
Law Council