Small law practices and privacy law: the impact of Tranche 2 AML/CTF reforms
AML/CTF Reporting Entities will also have privacy obligations
By Carol Prasad - 5 min read
Principals for hire – a risky proposition
It is recommended that solicitors avoid putting themselves in a situation where they are responsible for more than one practice.
By Mehzabin Farazi and Katherine Lau - 6 min read
Investment scam warning to trust account holders
In these matters, scammers pose as companies seeking to raise capital and request that a law practice act as an agent for the purpose of…
By Sharon Blake - 3 min read
AML/CTF Tranche 2 Reforms: introducing AUSTRAC’s Program Starter Kits
With the expansion of obligations to new professional sectors and industries in the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act), legal practitioners are…
By Carol Prasad - 7 min read
The value of robust conflict checking systems
Failing to recognise conflicts, whether they are conflicts between the client’s interests and the lawyer’s, or conflicts between the duties owed to current or former…
By Glenda Carry - 4 min read
What is the difference between a client retainer and a costs agreement?
There are three documents in legal practice that are foundational in protecting a solicitor and their law practice.
By Katherine Lau and Nick Satouris - 8 min read
Things to consider before pursuing your client for unpaid costs
A frequent and common frustration faced by solicitors is chasing clients for unpaid legal costs. Unpaid costs adversely impact a law practice’s cashflow and, ultimately,…
By Dora Chan - 8 min read
Supervising the use of Generative AI in legal practice
Gen AI will likely become more prevalent in legal practice, but if principals and supervisors fail to adopt appropriate processes to monitor its use, then…
By Mehzabin Farazi - 8 min read
The power of pastoral mentorship
The Professional Conduct Advisory Panel provides support to any solicitor who is facing some sort of regulatory process.
By Linden Barnes - 2 min read
Can solicitors use confidential client information to recover unpaid legal costs?
In short: no. Solicitors are subject to professional obligations that govern the handling of client information—even where fees remain unpaid.
By The Law Society's Ethics Committee - 3 min read
The proper preparation of annexures and exhibits to affidavits
As officers of the court, we have a critical role to play in observing court rules and procedures.
By Professional Standards Department - 3 min read