Since February 2023, Dr James Andrew McConvill has not held a practising certificate and is not authorised to provide legal services or engage in legal practice. Dr McConvill is also currently prohibited from advertising, representing or suggesting that he is entitled to engage in legal practice.
We are aware of allegations that people across several Australian states and territories have received what were presented as legal services from a business known as Uplands Dispute Resolution or Uplands Legal Dispute Resolution (“Uplands”), which primarily advertises through Facebook. We understand that Dr McConvill controls Uplands.
Uplands is not a qualified legal entity. It is not authorised to provide legal services or engage in legal practice, and it cannot advertise, represent or suggest that it is entitled to do so.
We also understand that Dr McConvill has used the identities of ‘Mr Jim Blasius’ and ‘Professor Mirko Bagaric’ while providing legal services through Uplands. Mr Blasius is not an Australian legal practitioner. Professor Bagaric is a non-practising lawyer and does not hold a practising certificate and does not claim to be entitled to engage in legal practice. It is understood that Mr Bagaric did not authorise Dr McConvill to use his identity.
Victoria Police is investigating Dr McConvill’s conduct. If you've used Uplands, or received legal services from someone claiming to be ‘Mr Jim Blasius’ or ‘Professor Mirko Bagaric’, please contact your local Victoria Police station.
If you need legal help, or if someone offers you legal services, we strongly recommend checking the Register of Lawyers to confirm the lawyer holds a current practising certificate. Lawyers can only provide legal services if they have a current practising certificate. If a lawyer appears on the Register, they are authorised to provide legal services in Victoria.
Before engaging a lawyer, it is also a good idea to speak with them directly, either in person or by phone, and take reasonable steps to verify their identity and qualifications.