The Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSB+C) welcomes the Final Report of the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants, and supports recommendations relating to lawyers.

Victorian Legal Services Board CEO and Commissioner Fiona McLeay said “we look forward to working closely with the State Government and legal stakeholders, including the Legal Services Council, the Victorian Bar and the Law Institute of Victoria, to ensure the recommendations relating to legal regulation are properly implemented.

“It’s clear the events that led to this Royal Commission have caused damage to the reputation of the legal profession and the wider justice system. The rules Nicola Gobbo breached were fundamental ethical rules at the heart of the profession. The conclusion of the Commission’s important work paves the way for this damage to be repaired.

“These recommendations will help us to continue our important work in protecting the public and supporting the legal profession to maintain the highest standards of ethics and conduct.

“Lawyers play a fundamental role in the justice system and the public rightly has an expectation that their lawyer acts with integrity and behaves ethically. The vast majority of lawyers do this, and we look forward to helping restore the faith and confidence of Victorians in our system.”

The VLSB+C has already begun work to implement some of the Royal Commission’s recommendations, including issuing communications and guidance about what it means to be an ethical lawyer and a fit and proper person to practise law.

Last week the VLSB+C released the findings of an independent review into Continuing Professional Development for lawyers in Victoria, including recommendations for training on ethics, and is set to develop a regulatory response to implement the review’s recommendations in the coming months.