Queensland Law Society Media Release

Consultation on conduct rules for lawyers begins

Queenslanders are invited to comment on draft national conduct rules for lawyers during a two-month consultation period. It is a part of the process of creating a national legal profession.

These draft rules, which will be known as the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules, relate to the honesty and integrity of lawyers, how they conduct themselves with clients, courts and others lawyers, and their duties to the community, Peter Eardley, President of the Queensland Law Society, said.

“The rules are designed to set standards of conduct that maintain public confidence in the legal profession,” Mr Eardley said.

“They cover things such as conflicts of interest, for example, when a solicitor is asked to represent a client in a case that involves a former client of that solicitor.

“The Queensland Law Society is conducting the public consultation process on the rules in Queensland and all feedback is to be considered by the Society and the Law Council of Australia before a report is prepared for the state’s Attorney-General.

“By conducting this consultation simultaneously with that on the Draft National Bill, Queensland Law Society demonstrates its commitment to the introduction of nationally uniform standards in line with a truly national legal profession,” Mr Eardley said.

“It is critical that the rules of conduct for lawyers reflect this new national legal landscape.

“The input from the public and all of those with an interest in how lawyers meet their professional obligations will be both welcome and useful in this task.”

A draft version of the proposed rules will be available on the Queensland Law Society’s website – qls.com.au – from Tuesday 22 June and the consultation process will close on 13 August 2010. Feedback can be emailed to rules@qls.com.au. Telephone inquiries should be directed to 07 3842 5842.