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Rules and Compliance

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What are legal profession rules?

In Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia, lawyers and law practices are subject to the same regulatory framework of Legal Profession Uniform Rules made by the Legal Services Council. These Rules are provided for under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014.

The rule-making power is provided under the Legal Profession Uniform Law and is very broad. Uniform Rules may be made with respect to any matter that the Uniform Law requires or permits to be specified in Uniform Rules or that is necessary or convenient to be specified for carrying out or giving effect to the Uniform Law.

Uniform Rules may apply to qualified entities (including Australian legal practitioners, law practices and Australian-registered foreign lawyers), Australian lawyers who are not Australian legal practitioners, former Australian legal practitioners, former Australian-registered foreign lawyers, former Australian lawyers, persons seeking admission, lay associates of law practices and approved clerks. Failure to comply with Uniform Rules may constitute unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct.

Rules applicable to persons seeking admission

The following Uniform Rules apply to all persons seeking admission:

Rules applicable generally

The following Uniform Rules apply to all those who have rights and responsibilities under the Uniform Law – qualified entities (including Australian legal practitioners, law practices and Australian-registered foreign lawyers), Australian lawyers who are not Australian legal practitioners, former Australian legal practitioners, former Australian-registered foreign lawyers, former Australian lawyers, persons seeking admission, lay associates of law practices and approved clerks:

Rules applicable to barristers

The following Uniform Rules apply only to barristers:

Rules applicable to solicitors

The following Uniform Rules apply only to solicitors:

 

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