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Sexual harassment of any kind is unacceptable. For lawyers, it is also conduct that is capable of constituting professional misconduct. The Victorian Legal Services Board and the Victorian Legal Services Commissioner, as regulators of the legal profession in Victoria, do not tolerate sexual harassment. We will investigate any complaints that come to us about such conduct by lawyers.
Complaints can be time-consuming and distressing to deal with. We understand that complaints can’t always be avoided, but there are several things you can do to keep your relationship with your client positive and friendly.
The following strategies can help you reduce the chances of a client making a complaint about you:
Read our frequently asked questions about the external examination process.
Law practices and approved barristers’ clerks who operate trust accounts are required to keep trust records. These records must be examined by an external examiner (EE) each trust examination year. The trust examination year runs from 1 April – 31 March.
An external examiner (EE) is a person who is qualified to be appointed to examine the trust records of a law practice or approved barristers’ clerk.
Law practices and approved clerks that are required to maintain a trust account in Victoria must deposit a specified amount of money with the Victorian Legal Services Board, out of any trust money that has been received by the law practice or approved clerk. The money is held by the Board and is repayable on demand.
A law practice or an approved clerk that receives trust money must maintain a general trust account in Victoria. Penalties apply for failing to comply.
This requirement does not apply in which only controlled money or transit money (or both) are received, except where it is received in the form of cash. The trust account must be established and maintained in accordance with the Uniform Law, Uniform Rules and applicable regulations.