The New South Wales and Victorian governments have agreed on a uniform scheme for regulation of the legal profession
The Attorney General of each state has signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on a Legal Profession Uniform Framework for the new scheme.
The new arrangements aim to make it simpler for lawyers to do business within and across state borders, strengthen the standing of Australian lawyers in international legal markets and strengthen client protections.
Proposed requirements under the uniform arrangements include:
- that law firms may only charge legal costs that are fair and reasonable
- there be a single set of rules governing matters such as the requirements for maintaining and auditing trust accounts, continuing professional development requirements and billing requirements.
- a simplified process for admitting foreign lawyers to practice Australian law.
- a short, standard-form of costs disclosure as an alternative to full costs disclosure in matters where total costs are not likely to exceed $3,000.
- a single set of admissions requirements.
The scheme has target commencement date of 1 July 2014