Steps to Qualified Practice
Registered Foreign Lawyers
A person can only practice foreign law in Victoria if they are:
an Australian-registered foreign lawyer (that is a locally registered foreign lawyer) or
an interstate registered foreign lawyer:
or an Australian legal practitioner.
This is subject to some exceptions namely an overseas registered foreign lawyer may practice without registration only on the basis of certain requirements detailed below.
Australian-registered foreign lawyers:
- Must register with the Legal Services Board or an equivalent interstate regulatory authority as a registered foreign lawyer
- Are not entitled to practise Australian law in Victoria
- May practise the law of the overseas jurisdiction in which they are currently registered to practise
- May maintain an office for the purpose of practising foreign law in Victoria
- May have a commercial legal presence in Victoria
Non-registered foreign lawyers:
- Are not required to register with the Legal Services Board or an equivalent interstate regulatory authority
- Are not entitled to practice Australian law in Victoria
- Must not practise foreign law in Victoria for one or more periods that do not in aggregate exceed 90 days in any period of 12 months
- Must not maintain an office in Victoria for the purpose of practising foreign law
- Must not have a commercial legal presence in Victoria