Who we are and what we do
The QLS Ethics and Practice Centre is comprised of a team of experienced solicitors and support staff. Our solicitors are well placed to assist with most queries regarding legal ethics and practice support.
On the 1 October 2019, QLS Solicitor Support Pty Ltd* trading as QLS Ethics and Practice Centre, an incorporated legal practice was formed and sits within the Centre. QLS Solicitor Support is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Society and was created to enable practitioners who seek such guidance to claim legal professional privilege over such counsel.
If you are or work for, a QLS member practitioner, our solicitors are available to discuss and provide confidential guidance on ethical and practice management issues by telephone. Even if the ethical issue relates to a sensitive matter, you can be comfortable knowing that talking to us is permitted under the Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2023 (ASCR) (see Rule 9.2.3).
What we do not do
- provide formal oral or written opinions
- give substantive legal advice
- advise on entire transactions
- review large volumes of documents
- assist with conduct complaints that have been made to the Legal Services Commission Queensland by members of the public or practitioners
- provide advice about another solicitor’s conduct (though we may comment on whether, in our view, another solicitor’s conduct appears to be appropriate. In such circumstances, our comments are intended to assist the solicitor to decide on their next steps)
- advise on technology or tax issues.
- assist practitioners with respect to queries regarding the operation of or as to the distribution of funds from their trust accounts.
The Centre reserves the right to decline to give guidance on any matter. Guidance from the solicitors is not a ruling or formal legal opinion, and it is not binding on the Queensland Law Society, courts or any tribunal. In accordance with these terms of engagement, completion of the phone call (and / or any subsequent email providing supporting documentation) will be viewed as an end to the engagement. Please note that in accordance with r 14 of the ASCR, we have your consent to destroy your documents (which includes the above recording) after a period of 7 years has elapsed since completion of the engagement.
Contact us
For legal practitioners who are QLS members only