Policy Agenda

Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules

Review of the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules – have your say

The Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules were collaboratively developed by the Law Council of Australia and promulgated in June 2011, as a common set of professional obligations and ethical principles for Australian solicitors when dealing with their clients, the courts, their fellow legal practitioners, regulators and other persons.

The Rules have been adopted in South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

The Law Council is now undertaking the first comprehensive review of the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules since they were first promulgated in June 2011.

The Law Council’s Professional Ethics Committee has prepared a Discussion Paper which invites Submissions and responses from practitioners, organisations and the community to over 100 questions, suggestions and possible modifications to the Rules. Consultations are open until 31 May 2018. Submissions and feedback can be lodged by email. 

Discussion Paper Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules - February 2018

Current Rules

The Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules 2011 were updated in March and April 2015. Apart from the omission of former Rule 29.12.5, the minor changes did not alter the substance on any of the Rules.

The Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules were made as the Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules 2015 under the Legal Profession Uniform Law which commenced in Victoria and New South Wales on 1 July 2015.

The Rules have also been adopted in Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. Readers of the Uniform Law version of the Rules will notice some modifications to Rule 1.1 and the Glossary, which reflect their adoption as Rules under the Uniform Law.

Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules - September 2015

Commentary to the Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules

For the convenience of practitioners, a version of the Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules has been prepared with an accompanying commentary.

The Commentary is intended to provide additional information and guidance in understanding how particular Rules might apply in some situations.

The Commentary is not intended to be the sole source of information about the Rules – extensive information is available from Law Societies to assist in understanding the application of the Rules to the variety of situations encountered in legal practice.

Commentary to the Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules - July 2013

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