National Legal Profession Reform Project
Following the Council of Australian Governments announcement on 5 February 2009, on 30 April 2009 the Attorney - General, Robert McClelland, appointed the National Legal Profession Reform Taskforce to
- make recommendations; and,
- prepare draft national legislation by April 2010 with a view to achieving the uniform regulation
the legal profession across Australia.
In July 2009 the Attorney-General also established a The National Legal Profession Reform Consultative Group to advise and assist the Taskforce in its work. The Consultative Group included Harold Cottee,
General Manager of LIV Professional Standards and comprised members from the States and Northern Territory.
On 9 September 2011 the Attorney-General, released the National Legal Profession draft legislation on behalf of the participating jurisdictions of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The draft legislation can be accessed at the Federal Attorney-General website www.ag.gov.au.
On 19 October 2011 the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland announced that the new National Legal Services Board and the new National Legal Services Commissioner would be hosted by New South Wales.
Victoria has agreed to introduce legislation to implement the reforms that will be replicated across the participating jurisdictions.
Timeframes
While the National Legal Profession legislation may be introduced in Victoria in the next 12 months it is not anticipated to commence operation until mid 2013.
In the meantime the Law Institute will assess the proposed legislation with a view to educating and informing the profession on its ramifications for legal practice.