Qld: Government announces major legal profession reforms

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2000
Qld: Government announces major legal profession reforms

People with complaints against the legal profession will get stronger recourse under
radical changes to the legal profession announced by the Queensland Government.

The wide-ranging changes are expected to be introduced to parliament in legislation
early next year.

They will include the setting up of a Legal Practice Tribunal to hear complaints and
a Legal Practice Board to scrutinise professional conduct rules and standards.

Both boards will be headed by a Supreme Court judge.

For the first time, barristers will also be required to carry professional indemnity insurance.

They will also be required to take out a yearly practicing certificate placing them
under the tribunal's complaints and discipline regime.

Attorney-General MATT FOLEY says the main thrust of the reforms are enhancements to
the current complaints and disciplinary process.

AAP RTV jfs/sc/jx/jn

KEYWORD: LEGAL QLD (BRISBANE)

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