On the 25 January 2024, the Governor in Council approved the making of a Proclamation commencing those provisions of the Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 which amend the Legal Profession Act 2007 and the Legal Profession Regulation 2017 to:
- allow law practices, the QLS and community legal centres to destroy or dispose of client documents in certain circumstances notwithstanding the absence of express client authority; and
- provide for changed costs disclosure obligations for law practices resulting in an increase in the full costs disclosure threshold from $1,500 to $3,000 with abbreviated costs disclosure required for those matters from $1,500 to $3,000.
The amendments relating to the destruction or disposal of client documents will commence on 1 February 2024, while the amendments relating to changed costs disclosure obligations will commence on 1 March 2024.
Practitioners seeking guidance on the former should refer to our Document Retention Guide.
Practitioners are also welcomed to call a Practice Advisory Service practitioner on p. 3842 5843 or book a complimentary Practice Advisory Service visit to discuss the changes.
