17 December 2025
In this edition:
- Commissioner’s message
- Our office closes: 24 Dec – 5 Jan
- New resources to support supervised legal practice
- Increased pathways for reporting sexual harassment
- Statement on lawyers telling us about serious misconduct
- New guidance for lawyers who act in motor vehicle accident claims
- Support for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism compliance
- Warning – escrow agreements used for potential investment scams and money laundering
- Interactive map modelling legal need – now available
- Making a meaningful impact in 2024–25
- Follow us on Instagram
- Other news
Commissioner’s message
It’s with great sadness that I acknowledge the tragic and heartbreaking events that took place at Bondi Beach over the past weekend.
We, along with our legal sector partners, stand in solidarity with our Jewish colleagues across the profession and the Australian Jewish community. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all who have been tragically impacted by these deeply distressing events. Remember that wellbeing support services are available to you, and I encourage you to access them if you need support at this time.
Now, as we approach the end of the year, we reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing the profession. I'm pleased to update you on new regulatory resources designed to support the next generation of lawyers and those who supervise them, and reinforce our commitment to a safe and respectful working environment for all.
The supervised legal practice (SLP) period is a vital professional development phase that sets lawyers up for successful careers. However, we know from our own research that supervisors and supervisees face unique challenges in their respective roles. That’s why we have developed new resources to help make the supervision experience a good one for all involved. Read below to find out more about these practical resources.
New research from our independent Legal Services Research Centre reveals sexual harassment remains a persistent and corrosive issue within the legal sector. This is unacceptable. It is clear that we need an increased and sustained effort across the profession to drive systemic change. As I have said before, as the legal regulator, we do not tolerate sexual harassment of any kind, and we are committed to working with the sector to ensure employees and consumers of legal services feel safe, and are safe. We strongly encourage lawyers and non-legal staff who have experienced or witnessed this conduct to report it to our specially trained staff. Find out about our increased pathways for speaking up below.
Recently, we warmly welcomed two new lay members to our Board – Dr Alice Parkhill, who currently serves on the Adult Parole Board of Victoria, and Bronwen Bock, who brings considerable experience in investment, finance, corporate governance and gender equality. Both Alice and Bronwen’s wealth of knowledge and experience will greatly assist the Board in carrying out its vital regulatory work. We also acknowledged outgoing lay members Dr Lynne Williams AM and Catherine Wolthuizen, and thanked them for their valued contributions to the Board over their 12 and 8 year appointments respectively.
The Victorian Statewide Treaty passing into law last month was a historic moment for our state and nation. I would like to acknowledge the generations and decades First Peoples have spent as truth-tellers and custodians of this land for this historic Treaty to be enacted.
In recent weeks, the Victorian Government released the Independent Review into the public service, which was led by Helen Silver AO. Amongst the recommendations, the Silver Review has recommended a merger of the Victorian Legal Admissions Board and the Victorian Legal Services Board. This recommendation has been accepted by the Government, although there is no timeframe on when this change might take place. You can read more about the Silver Review and the Government’s response on the Victorian Government website.
Finally, I’d like to wish you a restful and rejuvenating break over summer. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Legal Laneway Breakfasts across the state in February 2026.
Fiona McLeay
Victorian Legal Services Board CEO and Commissioner
Our office will be closed from 24 December to 5 January
Our office will be closed to the public from 3pm on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will reopen at 9am on Monday 5 January 2026.
We will be responding to calls and enquiries from Monday 5 January 2026, and will prioritise urgent enquiries, requests and applications.
LSB Online will remain available throughout the closure period. If you have any questions, please use the lawyer enquiry form.
New resources to support supervised legal practice
Over the last few years, we surveyed supervisees and the lawyers who supervise them to gain rich insights into their experience of SLP. Through these surveys we sought to grow our understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and how we might better support both parties.
While the importance of SLP is well recognised, our research shows that many supervisees and supervisors wanted more guidance on the capabilities lawyers should develop during the SLP period, as well as resources to support and guide effective SLP relationships and processes.
In response, we’ve developed:
- Early Career Lawyer Capability Framework – this will help:
- supervisees to better understand the skills and capabilities they should develop for independent legal practice
- supervisors to think about suitable work for their supervisee and identify development opportunities
- Supervision Plan Template – this will help supervisors to plan appropriate work for their supervisee and structure their supervision
- Reflective Practice Template – this will help all lawyers – especially early career lawyers – to reflect on their progress and professional development needs, and their wellbeing.
Access our suite of SLP resources
Increased pathways for reporting sexual harassment
Our Legal Services Research Centre’s latest report reveals one in three lawyers who completed the Lawyer Census 2025 has experienced sexual harassment while in a workplace context, and the vast majority didn’t report it.
That’s why we’re increasing the pathways you can take to reach us if you have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment in the law.
Our new dedicated phone line
You can now contact our specialised Sexual Harassment Complaints Team on their new, dedicated phone line (03 9679 8090) to make a complaint or anonymous report. You can also choose to email the team directly, or use our anonymous online reporting tool.
The team is there to listen and support you in reporting sexual harassment, on your terms.
Sexual harassment includes conduct that may happen outside the practise of law or legal workplaces, such as at end of year work events or after work drinks, via social media, or via calls or text messages that are unrelated to work.
We do not tolerate sexual harassment of any kind, and we take all complaints about this conduct very seriously – the outcomes of which can include disciplinary action at VCAT, or assessing a lawyer’s fitness to practise.
Learn more about your options for reporting sexual harassment to us, and access Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession: Findings from the 2025 Victorian Lawyer Census
Statement on lawyers telling us about serious misconduct
As the legal regulator, we expect members of the profession to tell us if they think a Victorian lawyer is engaging in serious misconduct.
This aligns with community expectations of lawyers who, on their admission to the profession, have agreed to uphold the responsibilities and ethical standards that come with being an officer of the court.
We’ve published a new statement to the profession that makes clear our expectation. It explains what lawyers should let us know about, and how they can bring these matters to our attention – so we can determine what action, if any, needs to be taken.
We don’t need to hear about all instances of non-compliance or poor conduct – but we do need to know about conduct that:
- calls into question a lawyer’s fundamental integrity
- is so egregious it could lead to a miscarriage of justice
- otherwise undermines the integrity of the justice system as a whole.
Lawyers have a shared responsibility with us to maintain the integrity of, and public confidence in, the legal profession.
You can let us know if you have concerns about another lawyer’s serious misconduct by emailing seriousmisconduct@lsbc.vic.gov.au. From 5 January 2026 you will also be able to phone us on (03) 9679 8092.
Read our statement
New guidance for lawyers who act in motor vehicle accident claims
We continue to receive complaints about lawyers who act in motor vehicle accident claims – and this is why we’ve developed new guidance outlining our expectations of the profession.
The complaints we receive are usually in relation to ‘car napping’ – a practice we know can happen after a car accident. A business will offer the driver who’s not at fault ‘free’ services – such as towing, repairs or a hire car – implying that the costs for those services will be claimed from the at-fault driver or their insurer.
Lawyers will usually be engaged through an ‘Authority to Act’ form that the business gives the driver who’s not at fault, for them to sign. Many of the consumers we hear from say they didn’t realise the form authorised a lawyer to act on their behalf, and that legal work was undertaken without their instructions – or even their knowledge.
This conduct is unacceptable and has led to regulatory and disciplinary action.
Our guidance for lawyers acting in these matters includes professional and ethical obligations, minimum expectations and unacceptable practices.
Access our guidance
Support for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism compliance
In 2026 lawyers will need to comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) obligations.
This is because Australia’s AML/CTF framework has been expanded to include lawyers (and certain other professions) that are recognised as providing services that are at a high risk of being exploited for money laundering purposes.
Lawyers who provide specific designated services must enrol with AUSTRAC by 31 March 2026 and comply with AML/CTF obligations from 1 July 2026. These include customer identification and verification, reporting and record-keeping requirements, and developing a tailored AML/CTF program.
Ahead of commencement, lawyers should familiarise themselves with the new AML/CTF regime and corresponding obligations.
To find out more, visit:
- AUSTRAC's website
- Law Institute of Victoria's:
- AML/CTF Hub
- new guide for clients outlining the information lawyers will require clients to provide and what will happen with that information
Warning – escrow agreements used for potential investment scams and money laundering
We are aware of recent examples where law practices appear to have unwittingly used their trust account to facilitate investment scams and money laundering.
In many instances, this has related to escrow agreements or escrow services, where money launderers pose as clients. These ‘clients’ ask the law practice to prepare escrow agreements and act as agents, holding and disbursing funds for investors. When executing the escrow agreement, the law practice contacts the ‘investor’ and speaks to a scammer posing as the investor. By the time the scam is identified, the money is gone.
Law practices should be alert to the risks when being asked to provide escrow services.
As law practices get ready for the new AML/CTF framework obligations, it’s a timely reminder to remain vigilant of increasingly sophisticated investment scams.
Read more on how to protect your law practice from investment scams and money laundering
Interactive map modelling legal need – now available
Our Legal Services Research Centre, in collaboration with Victoria Law Foundation, has published a new interactive map modelling legal need in Victoria.
The easy-to-use map combines the prevalence of legal problems from the Public Understanding of Law Survey with person-level ABS Census data.
The map is designed to help the legal sector understand where everyday legal problems are likely to happen across Victoria – including where they may not be acted on or even recognised as being legal in nature. It also allows for the contrast of prevalence across communities and at seven different geographic levels.
The map will be a valuable resource for legal service providers and government and community organisations (among others), for purposes as diverse as strategic planning, resource allocation, legal needs assessments, funding and policy making. It’s also a resource that our Research Centre will develop and refine over time.
View the map, and subscribe to the Research Centre’s newsletter
Making a meaningful impact in 2024–25
We are committed to making a meaningful impact for lawyers and the wider community.
As a systems change regulator, we have strived to achieve better outcomes in the justice system by taking strong regulatory action, resolving consumer complaints earlier and supporting new access to justice initiatives.
Highlights include:
- launching the Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change – a new framework that explores the drivers of poor lawyer wellbeing, and defines a shared vision for change
- responding to the emerging and ongoing risks outlined in our Risk Outlook – including by developing a shared statement with Uniform Law partners on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in Australian legal practice
- introducing Fast-Tracked Mediation for straightforward complaints – offering real potential for achieving a timely and fair outcome for consumers and lawyers
- awarding a record $139 million in grants and funding from the Public Purpose Fund – including $90.8 million in annual funding to justice organisations.
Follow us on Instagram
We’re pleased to have recently launched the VLSB+C Instagram account.
As one of Australia’s most popular social media channels, we know many of you are on Instagram, and we want to meet you where you are at. Our new profile will help us to engage with a broad range of audiences, including law students, early career lawyers and consumers.
Follow us for industry news, events and research, updates on key projects, new guidance and resources, as well as updates from our sector partners.
Head to @VicLSBC to follow us on Instagram, and find us on LinkedIn and YouTube
Other news
Law Institute of Victoria
Become an accredited specialist
In 2026, the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) will offer specialisation in five areas – Administrative, Criminal, Immigration, Wills & Estates and Taxation Law. Applications are now open, with early bird applications closing 6 February – learn more about the program, eligibility requirement and how to apply.
New fact sheet on psychosocial hazards in the workplace
The LIV has released a fact sheet to help employers comply with new regulations requiring them to identify and manage psychosocial hazards with the same rigour as physical hazards. The new Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 came into effect on 1 December, and are made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2024 (Vic).
Law Library Victoria
The Digital Library is always open
Over the holidays, lawyers can access expert legal resources at any time via the Law Library’s Digital Library. If you’re registered, you can access e-books, databases, dictionaries and catch up on CPD webinars by logging in at www.lawlibrary.vic.gov.au.
Supreme Court Library holiday hours
The Supreme Court Library will be closed from 5pm on 19 December, reopening 9am on 19 January. Their hours will be 9am–5pm until 23 January. The print collection won’t be accessible from 12–14 January, though online support will continue throughout (excluding public holidays). The Law Library wishes you a wonderful break and looks forward to connecting with you in the new year.
Legal Practitioners’ Liability Committee
Guidance on delegation and supervision
Effective delegation and supervision helps ensure that legal work meets professional standards. It also fosters a culture where senior lawyers mentor staff, model ethical conduct and reinforce practice fundamentals. Take a moment to review the Legal Practitioners’ Liability Committee’s (LPLC) guidance on supervising staff, and strategies for cultivating a risk management culture when working remotely.
Help with auditing client files
Regular file audits are a vital part of effective practice management, ensuring compliance with key procedures. By carrying out audits, you can proactively identify and mitigate risks, improve processes, and maintain consistently high-quality work across client matters – access LPLC’s client file audit tool.
Sentencing Advisory Council
New report: Why are there more people in Victorian prisons than there were 20 years ago?
The Sentencing Advisory Council has released its fourth report on long-term trends in Victoria’s prison population, Victoria’s prison population 2004 to 2024. Changes were more strongly driven by the number of people held on remand rather than by the number of crimes committed yearly, highlighting the impact of pre-trial detention practices – download the full report here.
Victorian Bar
Victorian Bar Diversity Internship Program
The Diversity Internship Program provides law students from culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds with paid work experience, enabling them to gain insights into and build connections with the profession. Following the program’s success, and through the generous support of the judiciary, the number of internships has more than doubled from three to eight – find out more.
Victoria Law Foundation
Major Grants announcement
This month, Victoria Law Foundation announced its 2025–26 Major Grants recipients, with the program now offering over $1 million in funding to strengthen legal capability across the state. Take a moment to explore the new grant-funded research library, which helps build on previous projects and strengthen new grant proposals.
2026 Legal Laneway Breakfasts
Don’t miss the 2026 Legal Laneway Breakfasts, running from 4–6 February in Melbourne, Ballarat, Horsham and Shepparton. A great way to start the legal year, these breakfasts are open to all members of Victoria’s legal community, with breakfast provided by local restaurants – register now to secure your spot.
Victoria Legal Aid
Supporting more equitable briefing in family law matters
Victoria Legal Aid is piloting the Family Law Trial Counsel Development Program, delivered in collaboration with the Victorian Bar. The program aims to develop quality advocates at the junior Bar by pairing them with experienced lead counsel mentors in up to three family law trials over two years – read more about the program and the successful candidates.