{"id":"F2018L00031","name":"Code of Conduct for Trans-Tasman Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys 2018","slug":"code-of-conduct-for-trans-tasman-patent-and-trade-marks-attorneys-2018","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":96669,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2018L00031-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary 1","content":"## Part 1—Preliminary 1\n\n1 Name of code....................................................1\n\n2 Commencement..................................................1\n\n3 Authority.......................................................1\n\n4 Definitions......................................................1\n\n5 Former Code of Conduct............................................3","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Overview 4","content":"## Part 2—Overview 4\n\n6 Application of code................................................4\n\n7 Objective of code.................................................4\n\n8 Guidelines to code.................................................4\n\n9 Rights of clients not affected..........................................4\n\n10 Administration of code.............................................4","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Professional conduct 6","content":"## Part 3—Professional conduct 6\n\n11 Core obligations.................................................6\n\n12 Responsibility...................................................6\n\n13 Integrity.......................................................6\n\n14 Competency....................................................7\n\n15 Diligence......................................................7\n\n16 Communication..................................................7\n\n17 Disclosure.....................................................8\n\n18 Confidentiality..................................................8\n\n19 Loyalty.......................................................8\n\n20 Conflicts......................................................9\n\n21 Independence...................................................9\n\n22 Termination of services............................................10","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Practice management 11","content":"## Part 4—Practice management 11\n\n23 Ownership.....................................................11\n\n24 Funds 11\n\n25 Client property..................................................11\n\n26 Address.......................................................12","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Complaints and disciplinary proceedings 13","content":"## Part 5—Complaints and disciplinary proceedings 13\n\n27 Complaints.....................................................13\n\n28 Disciplinary proceedings............................................13","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Repeals 14","content":"## Schedule 1—Repeals 14\n\n1 Code of Conduct for Patents and Trade Marks Attorneys 2013...................14","sortOrder":5}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original scope as a professional conduct code for Trans-Tasman patent and trade marks attorneys. The 2018 version appears to be a straightforward replacement of the 2013 Code (as indicated by Schedule 1), updating rather than expanding the regulatory framework."},"complexity_factors":["Short document (28 clauses across 5 Parts plus Schedule)","Minimal defined terms (only 4 definitions in clause 4)","Straightforward structure following logical progression: preliminary → overview → conduct → management → complaints","No nested cross-references or conditional logic chains","Clear, principle-based obligations rather than prescriptive rules","Single repeal provision replacing one previous instrument"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument establishes a Trans‑Tasman Code of Conduct for registered patent and trade marks attorneys in Australia and New Zealand, replacing the 2013 code. It sets core obligations—honesty, competence, clear communication, confidentiality, conflict avoidance and proper handling of client funds.\n\nIt matters to attorneys’ clients because it promotes professional, trustworthy practice and provides a clear complaints route if standards aren’t met."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument replaces the Code of Conduct for Patents and Trade Marks Attorneys 2013 (Schedule 1) and is titled to operate on a Trans‑Tasman basis, indicating a change from the earlier national framework to a cross‑jurisdictional regime. The Code consolidates core professional duties, practice‑management rules and a complaints/discipline framework and centralises administration and authority (title; ss3,4,6,10; Schedule 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Trans‑jurisdictional scope: the Code applies on a Trans‑Tasman basis which can create cross-border regulatory alignment and enforcement questions (title; s6).","Broad substantive duties: multiple overlapping professional obligations such as integrity, competency, confidentiality and conflicts that require judgement in application (ss11–21).","Practice‑management detail: provisions on ownership, client funds and property introduce transactional and accounting compliance burdens (ss23–25).","Enforcement architecture: a complaints and disciplinary regime requires procedures, evidential standards and administrative resourcing (ss27–28; s10).","Definitions and transition: key terms and an explicit repeal of the 2013 Code affect transitional obligations and legal interpretation (s4; Schedule 1).","Regulatory discretion: authority and administration clauses give regulators decision‑making latitude, creating implementation risk and variable outcomes (ss3; 10)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Code sets enforceable professional rules for patent and trade mark attorneys operating across the Trans‑Tasman area. It establishes core duties, practice‑management rules and a complaints/discipline framework, and replaces the prior 2013 Code.  \n\nIt affects registered attorneys (who must meet the rules and bear compliance costs), their clients (who gain defined service expectations and complaint routes) and regulators (who administer and enforce the Code)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/code-of-conduct-for-trans-tasman-patent-and-trade-marks-attorneys-2018","history":"/api/acts/code-of-conduct-for-trans-tasman-patent-and-trade-marks-attorneys-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/code-of-conduct-for-trans-tasman-patent-and-trade-marks-attorneys-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/code-of-conduct-for-trans-tasman-patent-and-trade-marks-attorneys-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/code-of-conduct-for-trans-tasman-patent-and-trade-marks-attorneys-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/code-of-conduct-for-trans-tasman-patent-and-trade-marks-attorneys-2018/documents"}}