Victorian Numbered Acts

LEGAL PROFESSION ACT 2004 (NO 99 OF 2004)

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

   PART 1.1--PRELIMINARY

   1.1.1.  Purpose  
   1.1.2.  Commencement  

   PART 1.2--INTERPRETATION

   1.2.1.  Definitions  
   1.2.2.  Terms relating to lawyers  
   1.2.3.  Terms relating to legal practitioners  
   1.2.4.  Terms relating to associates and principals of law practices  
   1.2.5.  Home jurisdiction  
   1.2.6.  Suitability matters  
   1.2.7.  Information notices  
   1.2.8.  References to findings of guilt  
   1.2.9.  References to Parts  

   PART 2.1--INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

   2.1.1.  Simplified outline of Chapter  

   PART 2.2--RESERVATION OF LEGAL WORK AND LEGAL TITLES

           Division 1--Preliminary

   2.2.1.  Purposes  

           Division 2--General Prohibitions on Unqualified Practice

   2.2.2.  Prohibition on engaging in legal practice when not entitled  
   2.2.3.  Prohibition on representing or advertising entitlement to engage in legal practice when not entitled  
   2.2.4.  Presumptions about taking or using name, title or description specified in regulations  

           Division 3--Prohibitions regarding Associates

   2.2.5.  Definitions  
   2.2.6.  Order disqualifying persons  
   2.2.7.  Prohibition on certain associates  
   2.2.8.  Approval of associates  

           Division 4--Further Prohibitions and Restrictions

   2.2.9.  Sharing income with unqualified persons  
   2.2.10. Permitting or assisting unqualified persons to practise  
   2.2.11. Prisoners must not practise  

           Division 5--General

   2.2.12. Professional discipline  

   PART 2.3--ADMISSION OF LOCAL LAWYERS

           Division 1--Preliminary

   2.3.1.  Purposes  

           Division 2--Eligibility and Suitability for Admission

   2.3.2.  Eligibility for admission  
   2.3.3.  Suitability for admission  

           Division 3--Admission to the Legal Profession

   2.3.4.  Application for admission  
   2.3.5.  Admission fee  
   2.3.6.  Admission by the Supreme Court  
   2.3.7.  Roll of persons admitted to the legal profession  
   2.3.8.  When is admission effective?  
   2.3.9.  Local lawyer is officer of the Supreme Court  

           Division 4--Functions of Board of Examiners

   2.3.10. Functions of Board of Examiners  
   2.3.11. Appeal to Supreme Court  

           Division 5--Admission Rules

   2.3.12. Admission Rules  

   PART 2.4--LEGAL PRACTICE BY AUSTRALIAN LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

           Division 1--Preliminary

   2.4.1.  Purposes  

           Division 2--Legal Practice in this Jurisdiction by Australian Legal Practitioners

   2.4.2.  Entitlement of holder of Australian practising certificate to practise in this jurisdiction  

           Division 3--Local Practising Certificates Generally

   2.4.3.  Local practising certificates  
   2.4.4.  Suitability to hold local practising certificate  
   2.4.5.  Duration of local practising certificate  
   2.4.6.  Local legal practitioner is officer of Supreme Court  

           Division 4--Grant or Renewal of Local Practising Certificates

   2.4.7.  Criteria for grant or renewal of local practising certificate  
   2.4.8.  Application for grant or renewal of local practising certificate  
   2.4.9.  Manner of application and fees  
   2.4.10. Timing of application for renewal of local practising certificate  
   2.4.11. Late application for renewal of practising certificate  
   2.4.12. Grant or renewal of local practising certificate  

           Division 5--Additional Conditions on Local Practising Certificates

   2.4.13. Conditions generally  
   2.4.14. Conditions imposed by the Board  
   2.4.15. Variation or revocation of conditions  
   2.4.16. Imposition or variation of conditions pending criminal proceedings  
   2.4.17. Statutory condition regarding conditions imposed on interstate admission  
   2.4.18. Statutory condition regarding supervised legal practice  

           Division 6--Amendment, Suspension or Cancellation of Local Practising Certificates

   2.4.19. Application of Division  
   2.4.20. Grounds for amending, suspending or cancelling local practising certificate  
   2.4.21. Amending, suspending or cancelling local practising certificate  
   2.4.22. Immediate suspension of local practising certificate  
   2.4.23. Effect of suspension  
   2.4.24. Other ways of amending or cancelling local practising certificate  
   2.4.25. Relationship of this Division with disciplinary provisions  

           Division 7--Special Powers in relation to Local Practising Certificates--Show Cause Events

   2.4.26. Applicant for local practising certificate—show cause event  
   2.4.27. Holder of local practising certificate—show cause event  
   2.4.28. Refusal, amendment, suspension or cancellation of local practising certificate—failure to show cause  
   2.4.29. Restriction on making further applications  

           Division 8--Further Provisions Relating to Local Practising Certificates

   2.4.30. Surrender and cancellation of local practising certificate  
   2.4.31. Return of local practising certificate  

           Division 9--Interstate Legal Practitioners

   2.4.32. Extent of entitlement of interstate legal practitioner to practise in this jurisdiction  
   2.4.33. Additional conditions on practice of interstate legal practitioners  
   2.4.34. Notification requirements for interstate legal practitioners  
   2.4.35. Special provisions about interstate legal practitioner engaging in unsupervised legal practice in this jurisdiction  
   2.4.36. Interstate legal practitioner is officer of Supreme Court  

           Division 10--Reviews

   2.4.37. Review of decisions about local practising certificates  
   2.4.38. Review of decisions about interstate legal practitioners  

           Division 11--Miscellaneous

   2.4.39. Protocols  
   2.4.40. Consideration and investigation of applicants or holders  

   PART 2.5--SUITABILITY REPORTS

           Division 1--Preliminary

   2.5.1.  Purpose  
   2.5.2.  Definitions  

           Division 2--Police Reports

   2.5.3.  Criminal record checks and police reports  

           Division 3--Health Assessments

   2.5.4.  Health assessments  
   2.5.5.  Appointment of health assessor  
   2.5.6.  Health assessment report  
   2.5.7.  Payment for health assessment and report  
   2.5.8.  Use of health assessment report  

           Division 4--General

   2.5.9.  Confidentiality of reports  

   PART 2.6--INTER-JURISDICTIONAL PROVISIONS REGARDING ADMISSION AND PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

           Division 1--Preliminary

   2.6.1.  Purpose  
   2.6.2.  Other requirements not affected  

           Division 2--Notifications to be Given by Local Authorities to Interstate Authorities

   2.6.3.  Official notification to other jurisdictions of applications for admission and associated matters  
   2.6.4.  Official notification to other jurisdictions of removals from local roll  
   2.6.5.  Board to notify other jurisdictions of certain matters  

           Division 3--Notifications to be Given by Lawyers to Local Authorities

   2.6.6.  Lawyer to give notice of removal in another jurisdiction  
   2.6.7.  Lawyer to give notice of removal in foreign country  
   2.6.8.  Provisions relating to requirement to notify  

           Division 4--Taking of Action by Local Authorities in Response to Notifications Received

   2.6.9.  Peremptory removal of local lawyer's name from local roll following removal in another jurisdiction  
   2.6.10. Peremptory cancellation of local practising certificate following removal of name from interstate roll  
   2.6.11. Order for non-removal of name or non-cancellation of local practising certificate  
   2.6.12. Show cause procedure for removal of lawyer's name from local roll following removal in foreign country  
   2.6.13. Local authority may give information to other local authorities  

   PART 2.7--INCORPORATED LEGAL PRACTICES AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PARTNERSHIPS

           Division 1--Preliminary

   2.7.1.  Purposes  
   2.7.2.  Definitions  
   2.7.3.  Part does not apply to community legal centres  

           Division 2--Incorporated Legal Practices

   2.7.4.  Nature of incorporated legal practice  
   2.7.5.  Non-legal services and businesses of incorporated legal practices  
   2.7.6.  Corporations eligible to be incorporated legal practice  
   2.7.7.  Notice of intention to start providing legal services  
   2.7.8.  Prohibition on representations that corporation is incorporated legal practice  
   2.7.9.  Notice of termination of provision of legal services  
   2.7.10. Incorporated legal practice must have legal practitioner director  
   2.7.11. Obligations of legal practitioner director relating to misconduct  
   2.7.12. Incorporated legal practice without legal practitioner director  
   2.7.13. Obligations and privileges of practitioners who are officers or employees  
   2.7.14. Conflicts of interest  
   2.7.15. Disclosure obligations  
   2.7.16. Effect of non-disclosure of provision of certain services  
   2.7.17. Application of legal profession rules  
   2.7.18.  Requirements relating to advertising  
   2.7.19. Extension of vicarious liability relating to failure to account, pay or deliver and dishonesty to incorporated legal practices  
   2.7.20. Sharing of receipts  
   2.7.21. Disqualified persons  
   2.7.22. Audit of incorporated legal practice  
   2.7.23. Investigative powers relating to audits and other matters  
   2.7.24. Banning of incorporated legal practices  
   2.7.25. Disqualification from managing incorporated legal practice  
   2.7.26. Disclosure of information to Australian Securities and Investments Commission  
   2.7.27. External administration proceedings under Corporations Act  
   2.7.28. External administration proceedings under other legislation  
   2.7.29. Incorporated legal practice that is subject to receivership under this Act and external administration under the Corporations Act  
   2.7.30. Incorporated legal practice that is subject to receivership under this Act and external administration under other legislation  
   2.7.31. Co-operation between courts  
   2.7.32. Relationship of Act to constitution of incorporated legal practice  
   2.7.33. Relationship of Act to legislation establishing incorporated legal practice  
   2.7.34. Relationship of Act to Corporations legislation  
   2.7.35. Undue influence  

           Division 3--Multi-disciplinary Partnerships

   2.7.36. Nature of multi-disciplinary partnership  
   2.7.37. Conduct of multi-disciplinary partnerships  
   2.7.38. Notice of intention to start practice in multi-disciplinary partnership  
   2.7.39. General obligations of legal practitioner partners  
   2.7.40. Obligations of legal practitioner partner relating to misconduct  
   2.7.41. Actions of partner who is not an Australian legal practitioner  
   2.7.42. Obligations and privileges of practitioners who are partners or employees  
   2.7.43. Conflicts of interest  
   2.7.44. Disclosure obligations  
   2.7.45. Effect of non-disclosure of provision of certain services  
   2.7.46. Application of legal profession rules  
   2.7.47.  Requirements relating to advertising  
   2.7.48. Sharing of receipts  
   2.7.49. Disqualified persons  
   2.7.50. Prohibition on partnerships with certain partners who are not Australian legal practitioners  
   2.7.51. Undue influence  

           Division 4--Miscellaneous

   2.7.52. Obligations of individual practitioners not affected  
   2.7.53. Regulations  

   PART 2.8--LEGAL PRACTICE BY FOREIGN LAWYERS

           Division 1--Preliminary

   2.8.1.  Purpose  
   2.8.2.  Definitions  
   2.8.3.  This Part does not apply to Australian legal practitioners  

           Division 2--Practice of Foreign Law

   2.8.4.  Requirement for registration  
   2.8.5.  Entitlement of Australian-registered foreign lawyer to practise in this jurisdiction  
   2.8.6.  Scope of practice  
   2.8.7.  Form of practice  
   2.8.8.  Application of Australian professional ethical and practice standards  
   2.8.9.  Designation  
   2.8.10. Letterhead and other identifying documents  
   2.8.11. Advertising  
   2.8.12. Foreign lawyer employing Australian legal practitioner  
   2.8.13. Trust money and trust accounts  
   2.8.14. Fidelity cover  

           Division 3--Local Registration of Foreign Lawyers Generally

   2.8.15. Local registration of foreign lawyers  
   2.8.16. Duration of registration  
   2.8.17. Locally registered foreign lawyer is not officer of Supreme Court  

           Division 4--Application for Grant or Renewal of Local Registration

   2.8.18. Application for grant or renewal of registration  
   2.8.19. Manner of application  
   2.8.20. Requirements regarding applications for grant or renewal of registration  

           Division 5--Grant or Renewal of Registration

   2.8.21. Grant or renewal of registration  
   2.8.22. Requirement to grant or renew registration if criteria satisfied  
   2.8.23. Refusal to grant or renew registration  

           Division 6--Amendment, Suspension or Cancellation of Local Registration

   2.8.24. Application of this Division  
   2.8.25. Grounds for amending, suspending or cancelling registration  
   2.8.26. Amending, suspending or cancelling registration  
   2.8.27. Operation of amendment, suspension or cancellation of registration  
   2.8.28. Other ways of amending or cancelling registration  
   2.8.29. Relationship of Division to Chapter 4  

           Division 7--Special Powers in relation to Local Registration--Show Cause Events

   2.8.30. Applicant for local registration—show cause event  
   2.8.31. Locally registered foreign lawyer—show cause event  
   2.8.32. Refusal, amendment, suspension or cancellation of local registration—failure to show cause  
   2.8.33. Restriction on making further applications  

           Division 8--Further Provisions relating to Local Registration

   2.8.34. Immediate suspension of registration  
   2.8.35. Surrender of local registration certificate and cancellation of registration  
   2.8.36. Automatic cancellation of registration on grant of practising certificate  
   2.8.37. Suspension or cancellation of registration not to affect disciplinary processes  
   2.8.38. Return of local registration certificate on amendment, suspension or cancellation of registration  

           Division 9--Conditions on Registration

   2.8.39. Conditions generally  
   2.8.40. Conditions imposed by the Board  
   2.8.41. Statutory condition regarding notification of offence  
   2.8.42. Conditions imposed by legal profession rules  
   2.8.43.  Compliance with conditions  

           Division 10--Interstate-registered Foreign Lawyers

   2.8.44. Extent of entitlement of interstate-registered foreign lawyer to practise in this jurisdiction  
   2.8.45. Additional conditions on practice of interstate-registered foreign lawyers  

           Division 11--Miscellaneous

   2.8.46. Consideration and investigation of applicants and holders  
   2.8.47. Publication of information about locally registered foreign lawyers  
   2.8.48. Supreme Court orders about conditions  
   2.8.49. Exemption by Board  
   2.8.50. Membership of professional association  
   2.8.51. Review by Tribunal  

   PART 2.9--COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRES

   2.9.1.  Definitions  
   2.9.2.  Supervising legal practitioner  
   2.9.3.  Notification of temporary engagement of supervising legal practitioner  
   2.9.4.  Entitlement to recover legal costs  
   2.9.5.  Regulations  

   PART 3.1--INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

   3.1.1.  Simplified outline of Chapter  

   PART 3.2--MANNER OF LEGAL PRACTICE

           Division 1--Preliminary

   3.2.1.  Purposes  

           Division 2--Legal Practice Generally

   3.2.2.  Co-advocacy  
   3.2.3.  Client access  
   3.2.4.  Compulsory clerking prohibited  
   3.2.5.  Compulsory chambers prohibited  
   3.2.6.  Sole practice by barristers  
   3.2.7.  Robing not compulsory  
   3.2.8.  Regulation of other businesses carried on by legal practitioners  

           Division 3--Rules for Australian Legal Practitioners and Locally-registered Foreign Lawyers

   3.2.9.  Rules for Australian legal practitioners  
   3.2.10. Rules for foreign lawyers  
   3.2.11. Subject-matter of legal profession rules  
   3.2.12.  Prior consultation with professional associations  
   3.2.13. Public notice of proposed legal profession rules  

           Division 4--Rules for Incorporated Legal Practices and Multi-disciplinary Partnerships

   3.2.14. Rules  
   3.2.15.  Rule-making procedures  

           Division 5--Rules for Approved Clerks

   3.2.16. Rules  

           Division 6--General Provisions for Legal Profession Rules

   3.2.17. Binding nature of legal profession rules  
   3.2.18.  Legal profession rules inconsistent with Act or regulations  
   3.2.19.  Availability of rules  

           Division 7--Competition

   3.2.20. Board to investigate matters relating to competition  
   3.2.21. Law practice or practitioner must provide information and documents  
   3.2.22. Consultation and comment  
   3.2.23. Report of investigation  
   3.2.24. Tabling in Parliament and government response  

   PART 3.3--TRUST MONEY AND TRUST ACCOUNTS

           Division 1--Preliminary

   3.3.1.  Purposes  
   3.3.2.  Definitions  
   3.3.3.  Money involved in financial services or investments  
   3.3.4.  Determinations about status of money  
   3.3.5.  Application of Part to law practices and trust money  
   3.3.6.  Protocols for determining where trust money is received  
   3.3.7.  When money is received  
   3.3.8.  Discharge by legal practitioner associate of liability of law practice  
   3.3.9.  Liability of principals of law practices  
   3.3.10. Former practices, principals, associates and approved clerks  

           Division 2--Trust Accounts and Trust Money

   3.3.11. Maintenance of general trust account  
   3.3.12. Trust account details to be notified to Board  
   3.3.13. Certain trust money to be deposited in general trust account  
   3.3.14. Holding, disbursing and accounting for trust money  
   3.3.15. Controlled money  
   3.3.16. Transit money  
   3.3.17. Trust money subject to specific powers  
   3.3.18. Protection of trust money  
   3.3.19. Intermixing money  
   3.3.20. Dealing with trust money: legal costs and unclaimed money  
   3.3.21. Deficiency in trust account  
   3.3.22. Reporting certain irregularities and suspected irregularities—legal practitioners  
   3.3.23. Reporting irregularities—approved clerks  
   3.3.24. Application of privileges  
   3.3.25. Keeping trust records  
   3.3.26. False names  
   3.3.27. Reporting trust balances to the Board  

           Division 3--Investigations

   3.3.28. When may an investigation be conducted?  
   3.3.29. Appointment of inspector  
   3.3.30. Identity card  
   3.3.31. Production of records  
   3.3.32. Power to question associates  
   3.3.33. Power to question approved clerks  
   3.3.34. Information from external examiners  
   3.3.35. Entry for compliance purposes  
   3.3.36. Entry or search regarding contraventions  
   3.3.37. Search warrants  
   3.3.38. Announcement before entry  
   3.3.39. Details of warrant to be given to occupier  
   3.3.40. Seizure of things not mentioned in the warrant  
   3.3.41. Retention and return of things seized under a search warrant  
   3.3.42. Copies of seized documents  
   3.3.43. Power to obtain information from other Australian legal practitioners and approved clerks  
   3.3.44. Power to obtain information from financial institutions and other specified bodies  
   3.3.45. Failure to comply with inspector  
   3.3.46. Application of privileges  
   3.3.47. Inspector must report on investigation  
   3.3.48. Cost of investigation  
   3.3.49. Secrecy  
   3.3.50. Rules for qualification of inspectors  

           Division 4--External Examinations

   3.3.51. Approval of external examiners  
   3.3.52. Annual examination of trust records  
   3.3.53. Examination of affairs of law practice in connection with examination of trust records  
   3.3.54. Annual report of trust records examination or statutory declaration  
   3.3.55. Final examination of trust records  
   3.3.56. Disclosure of information  
   3.3.57. Board's supervisory role in examinations  
   3.3.58. Courses of education for examiners  

           Division 5--Provisions Relating to ADIs

   3.3.59. Arrangements with ADIs  
   3.3.60. ADIs to notify Board of trust accounts  
   3.3.61. Reports, records and information  

           Division 6--Statutory Deposits

   3.3.62. Definitions  
   3.3.63. Required deposit amount  
   3.3.64. Requirement to deposit with the Board  
   3.3.65. Determination of amount and timing of deposit  
   3.3.66. Repayment by Board  
   3.3.67. Division does not apply to controlled money accounts  
   3.3.68. Exemption by Board  
   3.3.69. Multiple trust accounts  

           Division 7--Approval of Clerks

   3.3.70. Approved clerks  

           Division 8--Miscellaneous

   3.3.71. Restrictions on receipt of trust money by law practices  
   3.3.72. Restrictions on receipt of trust money by interstate legal practitioners  
   3.3.73. Application of Part to incorporated legal practices and multi-disciplinary partnerships  
   3.3.74. Legal profession rules  
   3.3.75.  Regulations  

   PART 3.4--COSTS DISCLOSURE AND REVIEW

           Division 1--Preliminary

   3.4.1.  Purposes  
   3.4.2.  Definitions  

           Division 2--Application of this Part

   3.4.3.  Application of Part—first instructions rule  
   3.4.4.   Part also applies by agreement or at client's election  
   3.4.5.  Displacement of Part  
   3.4.6.  How and where does a client first instruct a law practice?  
   3.4.7.  When does a matter have a substantial connection with this jurisdiction?  
   3.4.8.  What happens when different laws apply to a matter?  

           Division 3--Costs Disclosure

   3.4.9.  Disclosure of costs to clients  
   3.4.10. Disclosure if another law practice is to be retained  
   3.4.11. How and when must disclosure be made?  
   3.4.12. Exceptions to requirement for disclosure  
   3.4.13. Additional disclosure—settlement of litigious matters  
   3.4.14. Additional disclosure—uplift fees  
   3.4.15. Form of disclosure  
   3.4.16. Ongoing obligation to disclose  
   3.4.17. Effect of failure to disclose  
   3.4.18. Progress reports  

           Division 4--Legal Costs Generally

   3.4.19. On what basis are legal costs recoverable?  
   3.4.20. Security for legal costs  
   3.4.21. Interest on unpaid legal costs  
   3.4.22. Practitioner remuneration orders  
   3.4.23. Publication and availability of practitioner remuneration order  
   3.4.24. Disallowance of practitioner remuneration order  
   3.4.25. Legal Costs Committee  

           Division 5--Costs Agreements

   3.4.26. Making costs agreements  
   3.4.27. Conditional costs agreements  
   3.4.28. Conditional costs agreements involving uplift fees  
   3.4.29. Contingency fees are prohibited  
   3.4.30. Effect of costs agreement  
   3.4.31. Certain costs agreements are void  
   3.4.32. Setting aside costs agreements  

           Division 6--Billing

   3.4.33. Legal costs cannot be recovered unless bill has been served  
   3.4.34. Bills  
   3.4.35. Notification of client's rights  
   3.4.36. Person may request itemised bill  
   3.4.37. Interim bills  

           Division 7--Costs Review by Taxing Master

   3.4.38. Application by clients for costs review  
   3.4.39. Application for costs review by law practice retaining another law practice  
   3.4.40. Application for costs review by law practice giving bill  
   3.4.41. Consequences of application  
   3.4.42. Notification of application  
   3.4.43. Procedure on review  
   3.4.44. Criteria for review  
   3.4.45. Costs of review  
   3.4.46. Referral for disciplinary action  
   3.4.47. Appeal  
   3.4.48. Legal costs subject to a civil complaint are not reviewable  

           Division 8--Miscellaneous

   3.4.49. Application of Part to incorporated legal practices and multi-disciplinary partnerships  
   3.4.50. Imputed acts, omission or knowledge  

   PART 3.5--PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE

   3.5.1.  Definition  
   3.5.2.  Law practices required to insure  
   3.5.3.  Australian-registered foreign lawyers required to insure  
   3.5.4.  Community legal centres required to insure  
   3.5.5.  Trade Practices Act and Competition Code  
   3.5.6.  Terms and conditions of insurance  
   3.5.7.  Exemption from insurance requirements  

   PART 3.6--FIDELITY COVER

           Division 1--Preliminary

   3.6.1.  Purpose  
   3.6.2.  Definitions  
   3.6.3.  Time of default  

           Division 2--Defaults to which this Part Applies

   3.6.4.  Meaning of relevant jurisdiction  
   3.6.5.  Defaults to which this Part applies  
   3.6.6.  Defaults relating to financial services or investments  

           Division 3--Claims about Defaults

   3.6.7.  Claims about defaults  
   3.6.8.  Time limit for making claims  
   3.6.9.  Advertisements  
   3.6.10. Time limit for making claims following advertisement  
   3.6.11. Claims not affected by certain matters  
   3.6.12. Investigation of claims  
   3.6.13. Advance payments  

           Division 4--Determination of Claims

   3.6.14. Determination of claims  
   3.6.15. Maximum amount allowable  
   3.6.16. Costs  
   3.6.17. Interest  
   3.6.18. Reduction of claim because of other benefits  
   3.6.19. Subrogation  
   3.6.20. Repayment of certain amounts  
   3.6.21. Notification of delay in making decision  
   3.6.22. Notification of decision  
   3.6.23. Appeal against decision on claim  
   3.6.24. Appeal against failure to determine claim  
   3.6.25. Court proceedings  

           Division 5--Payments from Fidelity Fund for Defaults

   3.6.26. Caps on payments  
   3.6.27. Sufficiency of Fidelity Fund  

           Division 6--Claims by Law Practices or Associates

   3.6.28. Claims by law practices or associates about defaults  
   3.6.29. Claims by law practices or associates about notional defaults  

           Division 7--Defaults Involving Interstate Elements

   3.6.30. Concerted interstate defaults  
   3.6.31. Defaults involving interstate elements if committed by one associate only  

           Division 8--Inter-jurisdictional Provisions

   3.6.32. Protocols  
   3.6.33. Forwarding of claims  
   3.6.34. Investigation of defaults to which this Part applies  
   3.6.35. Investigation of defaults to which a corresponding law applies  
   3.6.36. Investigation of concerted interstate defaults and other defaults involving interstate elements  
   3.6.37. Recommendations by Board to corresponding authorities  
   3.6.38. Recommendations to and decisions by Board after receiving recommendations from corresponding authorities  
   3.6.39. Request to another jurisdiction to investigate aspects of claim  
   3.6.40. Request from another jurisdiction to investigate aspects of claim  
   3.6.41. Co-operation with other authorities  

           Division 9--Miscellaneous

   3.6.42. Application of Part to incorporated legal practices  
   3.6.43. Application of Part to multi-disciplinary partnerships  
   3.6.44. Application of Part to Australian lawyers whose practising certificates have lapsed  

   PART 4.1--INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION

           Division 1--Preliminary

   4.1.1.  Purposes  

           Division 2--Application of Chapter

   4.1.2.  Application of Chapter to practitioners and law practices  
   4.1.3.  Application of Chapter to lawyers, former lawyers and former practitioners  
   4.1.4.  Conduct to which this Chapter applies—generally  
   4.1.5.  Conduct to which this Chapter applies—insolvency, serious offences and tax offences  

   PART 4.2--MAKING A COMPLAINT

   4.2.1.  Complaints  
   4.2.2.  Civil complaints and disputes  
   4.2.3.  Disciplinary complaints  
   4.2.4.  Who may make a complaint  
   4.2.5.  To whom is a complaint made?  
   4.2.6.  Form and content of complaint  
   4.2.7.  Time limits for complaints  
   4.2.8.  Notification  
   4.2.9.  Further information from complainant  
   4.2.10. Summary dismissal of complaints  
   4.2.11. Dealing with complaints  
   4.2.12. Information about complaints procedure  
   4.2.13. No Tribunal fees  
   4.2.14. Compensation orders  
   4.2.15. Waiver of privilege or duty of confidentiality  
   4.2.16. Ex gratia payments to complainants  

   PART 4.3--CIVIL COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTES

           Division 1--Application of Part

   4.3.1.  Application of Part  

           Division 2--Dealing with Civil Complaints

   4.3.2.  Effect of complaint on other proceedings  
   4.3.3.  Lodgement of disputed legal costs with Commissioner  
   4.3.4.  Dealing with lodged costs  
   4.3.5.  Commissioner to attempt to resolve civil dispute  
   4.3.6.  What happens if civil dispute is unsuitable for resolution by Commissioner?  
   4.3.7.  What happens if dispute resolution fails?  

           Division 3--Mediation

   4.3.8.  Application of Division  
   4.3.9.  Appointment of mediator  
   4.3.10. Mediation  
   4.3.11. Admissibility of evidence and documents  
   4.3.12. Mediation agreements  
   4.3.13. What happens if a party does not attend a mediation?  
   4.3.14. What happens if mediation is not successful?  

           Division 4--Resolution of Civil Disputes by the Tribunal

   4.3.15. Application to Tribunal  
   4.3.16. Parties  
   4.3.17. What may the Tribunal order?  

   PART 4.4--DISCIPLINARY COMPLAINTS AND DISCIPLINE

           Division 1--Application of Part

   4.4.1.  Application of Part  

           Division 2--Key Concepts

   4.4.2.  Unsatisfactory professional conduct  
   4.4.3.  Professional misconduct  
   4.4.4.  Conduct capable of constituting unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct  
   4.4.5.  Conduct that constitutes unsatisfactory professional conduct  
   4.4.6.  Conduct that constitutes professional misconduct  

           Division 3--Investigations

   4.4.7.  Disciplinary complaints to be investigated  
   4.4.8.  Investigations without complaint  
   4.4.9.  Referral to prescribed investigatory body  
   4.4.10. Role of prescribed investigatory body on a referral  
   4.4.11. Practitioner, law practice and others to provide information and documents  
   4.4.12. Investigation to be conducted expeditiously  
   4.4.13. What happens after an investigation is completed?  
   4.4.14. Notice of decision  

           Division 4--Proceedings in the Tribunal

   4.4.15. Tribunal to hear and determine application  
   4.4.16. Determinations of Tribunal  
   4.4.17. Orders requiring official implementation in this jurisdiction  
   4.4.18. Orders requiring official implementation in another jurisdiction  
   4.4.19. Orders requiring compliance by practitioner  
   4.4.20. Alternative finding  

           Division 5--Rehearings

   4.4.21. Application for rehearing  
   4.4.22. Parties and notice  
   4.4.23. Rehearing  
   4.4.24. Effect of first instance order pending rehearing  

           Division 6--Publicising Disciplinary Action

   4.4.25. Definitions  
   4.4.26. Register of Disciplinary Action  
   4.4.27. Publication of information on Register  
   4.4.28. Other means of publicising disciplinary action  
   4.4.29. Information not to be published pending rehearing or appeal  
   4.4.30. Person with infirmity, injury or illness  
   4.4.31. General provisions about disclosure of information  

           Division 7--Inter-jurisdictional Provisions

   4.4.32. Protocols  
   4.4.33. Request to another jurisdiction to investigate complaint or conduct  
   4.4.34. Request from another jurisdiction to investigate complaint or conduct  
   4.4.35. Sharing of information with corresponding authorities  
   4.4.36. Co-operation with corresponding authorities  
   4.4.37. Compliance with orders made under corresponding laws  
   4.4.38. Other powers or functions not affected  

           Division 8--Miscellaneous

   4.4.39. Jurisdiction of Supreme Court  

   PART 5.1--INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION

   5.1.1.  Purposes  
   5.1.2.  Definitions  
   5.1.3.  Application of Chapter to Australian-registered foreign lawyers  
   5.1.4.  Application of Chapter to other persons  

   PART 5.2--INITIATION OF EXTERNAL INTERVENTION

   5.2.1.  Circumstances warranting external intervention  
   5.2.2.  Determination regarding external intervention  

   PART 5.3--SUPERVISORS

   5.3.1.  Appointment of supervisor  
   5.3.2.  Notice of appointment  
   5.3.3.  Effect of service of notice of appointment  
   5.3.4.  Role of supervisor  
   5.3.5.  Powers of entry etc.  
   5.3.6.  Records of and dealing with trust money of law practice under supervision  
   5.3.7.  Termination of supervisor's appointment  

   PART 5.4--MANAGERS

   5.4.1.  Appointment of manager  
   5.4.2.  Notice of appointment  
   5.4.3.  Effect of service of notice of appointment  
   5.4.4.  Role of manager  
   5.4.5.  Powers of entry etc.  
   5.4.6.  Records and accounts of law practice under management and dealings with trust money  
   5.4.7.  Deceased estates  
   5.4.8.  Termination of manager's appointment  

   PART 5.5--RECEIVERS

   5.5.1.  Appointment of receiver  
   5.5.2.  Notice of appointment  
   5.5.3.  Effect of service of notice of appointment  
   5.5.4.  Role of receiver  
   5.5.5.  Records and accounts of law practice under receivership and dealings with trust money  
   5.5.6.  Power of receiver to take possession of regulated property  
   5.5.7.  Power of receiver to take delivery of regulated property  
   5.5.8.  Power of receiver to deal with regulated property  
   5.5.9.  Power of receiver to require documents or information  
   5.5.10. Examinations  
   5.5.11. Lien for costs on regulated property  
   5.5.12. Regulated property not to be attached  
   5.5.13. Receiver may recover money paid away in bets  
   5.5.14. Recovery of regulated property where there has been a breach of trust etc.  
   5.5.15. Improperly destroying property etc.  
   5.5.16. Deceased estates  
   5.5.17. Termination of receiver's appointment  

   PART 5.6--GENERAL

   5.6.1.  Conditions on appointment of external intervener  
   5.6.2.  Status of acts of external intervener  
   5.6.3.  Eligibility for reappointment or authorisation  
   5.6.4.  Appeal against appointment  
   5.6.5.  Directions of Supreme Court  
   5.6.6.  Requirement for ADI to disclose and permit access to accounts  
   5.6.7.  Fees, legal costs and expenses  
   5.6.8.  Reports by external intervener  
   5.6.9.  Confidentiality  
   5.6.10. External intervener may be reimbursed for damages  

   PART 6.1--INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

   6.1.1.  Purpose  
   6.1.2.  Simplified outline  

   PART 6.2--LEGAL SERVICES BOARD

           Division 1--The Board

   6.2.1.  Establishment  
   6.2.2.  Relationship to the Crown  
   6.2.3.  Objectives  
   6.2.4.  Functions and powers  

           Division 2--Membership

   6.2.5.  Membership  
   6.2.6.  Chairperson and deputy chairperson  
   6.2.7.  Judge or former judge appointed as chairperson  
   6.2.8.  Elected members  
   6.2.9.  Appointed members  
   6.2.10. Payment of members  
   6.2.11. Acting appointments  
   6.2.12. When does a member's office become vacant?  
   6.2.13. Casual vacancies of elected members  

           Division 3--Performance of Functions

   6.2.14. Meetings  
   6.2.15. Conflicts of interest  
   6.2.16. Resolutions without meetings  
   6.2.17. Validity of acts or decisions  
   6.2.18. Immunity  
   6.2.19. Delegation  
   6.2.20. Performance targets etc.  
   6.2.21. Annual report  
   6.2.22. Other reports  

           Division 4--The Register

   6.2.23. Keeping the Register  
   6.2.24. Requirement to notify the Board of change of information  

   PART 6.3--LEGAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER

           Division 1--Establishment, Objectives, Functions and Powers

   6.3.1.  Establishment  
   6.3.2.  Objectives  
   6.3.3.  Functions and powers  
   6.3.4.  Relationship to Board  

           Division 2--Appointment, Terms of Office and Removal

   6.3.5.  Initial appointment of Commissioner  
   6.3.6.  Subsequent appointment of Commissioner  
   6.3.7.  Payment  
   6.3.8.  Acting Commissioner  
   6.3.9.  When does the Commissioner's office become vacant?  
   6.3.10. Validity of acts and decisions  
   6.3.11. Immunity  
   6.3.12. Delegation  
   6.3.13. Annual report  
   6.3.14. Other reports  
   6.3.15. Guidelines  

   PART 6.4--GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR THE BOARD AND THE COMMISSIONER

           Division 1--Staffing

   6.4.1.  Staff  
   6.4.2.  Consultants  
   6.4.3.  Mediators  
   6.4.4.  Immunity for mediators  

           Division 2--Confidentiality

   6.4.5.  Confidentiality  

   PART 6.5--ADMISSION BODIES

           Division 1--Council of Legal Education

   6.5.1.  Composition of Council  
   6.5.2.  Functions  
   6.5.3.  Membership provisions  
   6.5.4.  Meetings  
   6.5.5.  Deputy for Attorney-General  
   6.5.6.  Staff and consultants  
   6.5.7.  Delegation  
   6.5.8.  Validity of acts or decisions  

           Division 2--Board of Examiners

   6.5.9.  Composition of Board of Examiners  
   6.5.10. Functions and powers  
   6.5.11. Membership provisions  
   6.5.12. Resignation and removal  
   6.5.13. Chairperson  
   6.5.14. Meetings  
   6.5.15. Deputy for Attorney-General or Solicitor-General  
   6.5.16. Other deputy members  
   6.5.17. Staff and consultants  
   6.5.18. Validity of acts or decisions  

   PART 6.6--LEGAL PRACTITIONERS' LIABILITY COMMITTEE

           Division 1--Liability Committee

   6.6.1.  Continuation of Committee  
   6.6.2.  Liability Committee not to represent the Crown  
   6.6.3.  Functions and powers  
   6.6.4.  Membership  
   6.6.5.  Qualifications for membership  
   6.6.6.  Payment of members  
   6.6.7.  Acting members  
   6.6.8.  Meetings  
   6.6.9.  Resolutions without meetings  
   6.6.10. Validity of acts or decisions  
   6.6.11. Conflicts of interest  
   6.6.12. Staff and consultants  
   6.6.13. Confidentiality  
   6.6.14. Annual report  

           Division 2--Legal Practitioners' Liability Fund

   6.6.15. Requirement for Liability Fund  
   6.6.16. Payments into Liability Fund  
   6.6.17. Payments out of Liability Fund  
   6.6.18. Investment of Fund  
   6.6.19. Levies  

   PART 6.7--FUNDING

           Division 1--Public Purpose Fund

   6.7.1.  Public Purpose Fund  
   6.7.2.  Accounts in Public Purpose Fund  
   6.7.3.  General Account  
   6.7.4.  Statutory Deposit Account  
   6.7.5.  Distribution Account  
   6.7.6.  Expenses of the Board  
   6.7.7.  Expenses of the Commissioner  
   6.7.8.  Expenses of the Tribunal  
   6.7.9.  Legal aid funding  
   6.7.10. Funding of law-related services and activities  
   6.7.11. Board may take into account previous funding  
   6.7.12. Timing of payments and instalments  
   6.7.13. Payments to Fidelity Fund  
   6.7.14. Payments to professional associations for continuing legal education programs etc.  

           Division 2--Fidelity Fund

   6.7.15. Requirement for Fidelity Fund  
   6.7.16. Purpose of Fidelity Fund  
   6.7.17. Payments into the Fidelity Fund  
   6.7.18. Payments out of the Fidelity Fund  
   6.7.19. Solvency  
   6.7.20. Payments to liquidators etc.  
   6.7.21. Public Purpose Fund  
   6.7.22. Insurance  
   6.7.23. Borrowing  

           Division 3--Fidelity Fund Contributions and Levies

   6.7.24. Determination of contributor classes  
   6.7.25. Determination of contributions  
   6.7.26. Payment of contributions in respect of local practising certificates  
   6.7.27. Payment of contributions by interstate legal practitioners  
   6.7.28. Payment of contributions by community legal centres  
   6.7.29. Payment of contributions by approved clerks  
   6.7.30. Persons who are members of more than one class  
   6.7.31. Determination of levy  
   6.7.32. Who must pay a levy?  
   6.7.33. When is a levy payable?  
   6.7.34. Board may recover contribution or levy  
   6.7.35. Employer must pay contribution or levy or reimburse employee  

   PART 7.1--REGULATION OF CONVEYANCING BUSINESSES

   7.1.1.  Definitions  
   7.1.2.  Employment or engagement in conveyancing business  
   7.1.3.  Authorisation of employment or engagement  
   7.1.4.  Unqualified persons must inform prospective employers  
   7.1.5.  Conveyancers must disclose insurance etc.  
   7.1.6.  Board may require information and documents from conveyancers  

   PART 7.2--GENERAL PROVISIONS

           Division 1--Notices and Evidentiary Matters

   7.2.1.  Service of notices on local legal practitioners, locally registered foreign lawyers and law practices  
   7.2.2.  Service on the Board and Commissioner  
   7.2.3.  Service of notices on other persons  
   7.2.4.  When is service effective?  
   7.2.5.  Evidentiary matters  

           Division 2--Investigation and Prosecution of Offences

   7.2.6.  Board may appoint person to investigate  
   7.2.7.  Assistance with investigation  
   7.2.8.  Investigator must report on investigation  
   7.2.9.  Secrecy  
   7.2.10. Who may prosecute offences?  

           Division 3--General

   7.2.11. Liability for negligence etc.  
   7.2.12. Liability of principals  
   7.2.13. Injunctions  
   7.2.14. Disclosure of information by local regulatory authorities  
   7.2.15. Confidentiality of personal information  
   7.2.16. Destruction of documents  

           Division 4--Regulations

   7.2.17. Regulations  

   PART 8.1--REPEALS AND AMENDMENTS

   8.1.1.  Legal Practice Act 1996  
   8.1.2.  Public Sector Management and Employment Act 1998  
   8.1.3.  Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998  

   PART 8.2--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

   8.2.1.  Transitional provisions  
           SCHEDULE 1
           SCHEDULE 2
           ENDNOTES