Page 4255 - Week 13 - Thursday, 25 November 1993

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MADAM SPEAKER, THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL IS TO EXPAND THE LAW SOCIETYS POWERS TO SUPERVISE THE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF SOLICITORS AND PERSONS EMPLOYED BY SOLICITORS. IN ADDITION, SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ACT SINCE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSION TRANSFERRED TO THE TERRITORY, THE BILL MAKES A NUMBER OF "HOUSEKEEPING" TYPE AMENDMENTS TO BRING THE ACT UP TO A MODERN DRAFTING STANDARD AND TO REMOVE GENDER-SPECIFIC LANGUAGE.

MY REMARKS ABOUT THIS BILL ARE ARRANGED UNDER 3 THEMES. I WILL FIRST OUTLINE THE BACKGROUND TO AND REASONS FOR THE AMENDMENTS, THEN DESCRIBE THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE PRESENT REFORMS, AND CONCLUDE WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE LIKELY DIRECTION OF FUTURE REFORMS TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN THE ACT.

THIS EXERCISE BEGAN IN 1984, WHEN THE LAW SOCIETY CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF ITS COMPLAINTS AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES. THE SOCIETY ADOPTED SEVERAL GENERAL PRINCIPLES AS THE BASIS FOR THE REVIEW. THEY INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING.

FIRSTLY, THE NEED FOR THE COMPLAINT-INVESTIGATION PROCESS TO BE RESPONSIVE, EFFICIENT, OPEN TO PUBLIC SCRUTINY AND BETTER PUBLICISED.

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