{"id":"BILL-QLD-5289","name":"Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026","slug":"legal-profession-strengthening-disciplinary-matters-amendment-bill-2026","collection":"bill","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":"2026-01-01","administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":449163,"registerId":"BILL-QLD-5289:current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-01-01","status":"in_force","reasons":null,"registeredAt":"2026-05-12T04:46:03.751Z"},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0001","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 1","content":"# Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\n\nQueensland\nLegal Profession\n(Strengthening Disciplinary\nMatters) Amendment Bill 2026\n\nQueensland\nLegal Profession (Strengthening\nDisciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill\n2026\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Short title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10\n2 Commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n3 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10\n4 Amendment of s 10 (Information notices) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10\n5 Amendment of s 26 (Associates who are disqualified or convicted\npersons) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11\n6 Amendment of s 29 (Definitions for pt 2.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11\n7 Amendment of s 32 (Early consideration of suitability) . . . . . . . . 12\n8 Replacement of s 33 (Involvement of tribunal and Supreme Court) 13\n33 Appeal to Court of Appeal against board’s refusal to make\nsuitability declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13\n33A Appeal to Supreme Court against board’s refusal to make\nsuitability declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13\n9 Amendment of s 46 (Suitability to hold local practising certificate) 14\n10 Amendment of s 51 (Grant or renewal of local practising certificate) 14\n11 Amendment of s 54 (Applications relating to conditions) . . . . . . 14\n12 Amendment of s 61 (Amending, suspending or cancelling a local\npractising certificate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15\n13 Amendment of s 62 (Operation of amendment, suspension or\ncancellation of local practising certificate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15\n14 Amendment of s 63 (Immediate amendment or suspension of local\npractising certificate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15\n15 Amendment of s 69 (Refusal, amendment, suspension or cancellation of\nlocal practising certificate because of failure to show cause) . . . 15\n16 Amendment of s 70 (Restriction on making further application) . 16\n\nContents\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 2\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n17 Amendment of s 76 (Additional condition on interstate legal practitioner\nengaging in legal practice in this jurisdiction) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16\n18 Amendment of s 87 (Health assessment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16\n19 Amendment of s 98 (Law society and bar association to notify other\njurisdictions about particular matters) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16\n20 Amendment of s 183 (Grant or renewal of local registration) . . . 17\n21 Amendment of s 185 (Refusal to grant or renew registration) . . . 17\n22 Amendment of s 188 (Amending, suspending or cancelling registration)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17\n23 Amendment of s 189 (Operation of amendment, suspension or\ncancellation of registration) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17\n24 Amendment of s 194 (Refusal, amendment, suspension or cancellation\nof local registration—failure to show cause) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18\n25 Amendment of s 195 (Restriction on making further applications) 18\n26 Amendment of s 197 (Immediate suspension of registration) . . . 18\n27 Amendment of s 208 (Additional conditions on practice of interstate-\nregistered foreign lawyers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18\n28 Amendment of s 278 (Disqualification of person as external examiner)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19\n29 Amendment of s 328 (Setting aside costs agreements) . . . . . . . 19\n30 Amendment of s 375 (Time limit for making claims) . . . . . . . . . . 19\n31 Amendment of s 377 (Time limit for making claims following\nadvertisement) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20\n32 Replacement of ch 3, pt 3.6, div 7, hdg (Review) . . . . . . . . . . . . 21\n33 Amendment of s 392 (Review of decision on claim) . . . . . . . . . . 22\n34 Amendment of s 393 (Review of failure to decide claim within 1 year)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22\n35 Amendment of s 394 (Proceedings on review) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23\n36 Amendment of s 396 (Limiting payments from fidelity fund to capped\namount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24\n37 Amendment of s 420 (Conduct capable of constituting unsatisfactory\nprofessional conduct or professional misconduct) . . . . . . . . . . . 24\n38 Amendment of s 443 (Powers for investigations) . . . . . . . . . . . . 24\n39 Amendment of s 452 (Starting proceeding before a disciplinary body)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24\n40 Amendment of s 456 (Decisions of tribunal about an Australian legal\npractitioner) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25\n41 Replacement of s 457 (Enforcement of orders etc.) . . . . . . . . . . 26\n457 Notification of Supreme Court orders . . . . . . . . . . . . 26\n\nContents\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 3\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n42 Amendment of s 459 (Orders to be filed in Supreme Court and\ninformation notices to be given to parties etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26\n43 Amendment of s 461 (Compliance with decisions and orders) . . 27\n44 Amendment of s 462 (Costs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27\n45 Replacement of ch 4, pt 4.10A, hdg (Appeals from decisions of\ndisciplinary bodies) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28\n46 Omission of s 468 (Appeal may be made to Court of Appeal from\ntribunal’s decision) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28\n47 Amendment of s 469 (Application to tribunal for review of committee’s\ndecision) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28\n48 Omission of s 470 (Appeal to Court of Appeal in relation to a decision of\ncommittee) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29\n49 Amendment of s 471 (Definition for pt 4.11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29\n50 Amendment of s 477 (General provisions about disclosure of\ninformation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29\n51 Amendment of s 491 (Confidentiality of client communications) . 29\n52 Insertion of new chs 6B–6D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30\nChapter 6B Provisions about proceedings before Supreme Court\nPart 6B.1 General matters\n581P Application of part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30\n581PA Procedure for conducting proceeding . . . . . . . . . . . . 30\n581PB Prohibited publication about hearing of proceeding . 30\nPart 6B.2 Discipline applications\nDivision 1 Preliminary\n581PC Application of part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32\nDivision 2 General provisions\nDivision 3 Panels and related matters\n581PG Panel to help Supreme Court hear and decide discipline\napplication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32\n581PH Continuing hearing with only 1 panel member . . . . . 33\nPart 6B.3 Particular appeals to Supreme Court\n581PP Application of part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34\n581PQ Starting appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34\n581PR Appeal against decision of board etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 35\n581PS Appeal against decision of committee . . . . . . . . . . . . 35\n581PT Orders on appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35\nPart 6B.4 Matters relating to costs\n581PU Application of part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36\n\nContents\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 4\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n581PV Costs for particular proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36\n581PW Costs against lawyer or other representative in interests of\njustice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36\n581PX Costs against intervening parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37\nChapter 6C Provisions about discipline applications before\ncommittee\nPart 6C.1 Preliminary\n581PY Application of part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38\nPart 6C.2 Hearings\nPart 6C.3 Conduct of proceedings\nPart 6C.4 Powers of committee\nChapter 6D Particular proceedings before Court of Appeal\n581QP Definition for chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38\n581QQ General requirements for appeals against particular\nSupreme Court decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38\n581QR Appeal against particular decisions only with leave . 39\n581QS Appeal against particular decisions only on question of law\nand with leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40\n53 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.2, hdg (Provisions about proceedings before\ntribunal) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40\n54 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.2, div 1 (Constitution of tribunal) . . . . . . . 40\n55 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.2, div 2, hdg (Panels, panel members and related\nmatters) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40\n56 Omission of s 599 (Panel to help the tribunal hear and decide discipline\napplication) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41\n57 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 607 (Establishment of\npanels for helping the tribunal) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41\n58 Relocation and renumbering of s 608 (Appointment of panel members)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41\n59 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 609 (Remuneration and\nappointment conditions of panel members) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41\n60 Relocation and renumbering of s 610 (Termination of appointment) 42\n61 Relocation and renumbering of s 611 (Resignation of members) 42\n62 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 612 (Disclosure of\ninterests) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42\n63 Relocation and renumbering of s 613 (Protection of panel members) 43\n64 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.3, div 5, hdg (Provisions applying to committee for\nhearings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43\n65 Relocation and renumbering of s 639 (Constitution of committee for\nhearing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43\n\nContents\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 5\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n66 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 640 (Conduct of committee\nfor hearing and deciding discipline applications) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44\n67 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 641 (Disclosure of\ninterests) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44\n68 Relocation and renumbering of s 642 (Protection of members etc.) 44\n69 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, hdg (Other provisions applying to committee for\ndiscipline applications) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44\n70 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 1, hdg (Parties to proceedings before\ncommittee) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45\n71 Relocation and renumbering of s 643 (Parties) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45\n72 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 2, hdg (Conduct of proceedings) . . 45\n73 Relocation and renumbering of s 644 (Public hearings) . . . . . . . 45\n74 Relocation and renumbering of s 645 (Procedure for hearing by\ncommittee) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45\n75 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 646 (Recording evidence)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45\n76 Relocation and renumbering of s 647 (Committee may proceed in\nabsence of party or may adjourn hearing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46\n77 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 648 (Matter may be\ndecided on affidavit evidence) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46\n78 Relocation and renumbering of s 649 (Standard of proof) . . . . . 46\n79 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 650 (Prohibited publication\nabout hearing of a disciplinary application) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46\n80 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 3, hdg (Powers of committee) . . . . 47\n81 Relocation and renumbering of s 651 (Power to disregard procedural\nlapses) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47\n82 Relocation and renumbering of s 652 (Directions for hearings) . 47\n83 Relocation and renumbering of s 653 (Attendance notice) . . . . . 47\n84 Relocation and renumbering of s 654 (Authentication of documents) 47\n85 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 4, hdg (Offences) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48\n86 Relocation and renumbering of ss 655 and 656 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48\n87 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4A, hdg (Provisions applying to tribunal for\ndiscipline applications) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48\n88 Omission of s 656A (Application of pt 7.4A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48\n89 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 656B (Entitlement to\nappear at hearing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48\n90 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 656C (Standard of proof)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49\n91 Omission of s 656D (Prohibited publication about hearing of a discipline\napplication) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49\n\nContents\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 6\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n92 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 656E (Power to disregard\nprocedural lapses) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49\n93 Insertion of new s 713B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50\n713B Intervention by Attorney-General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50\n94 Insertion of new ch 8, pt 8.1, div 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50\nDivision 3 Statements of reasons\n713C Obtaining statement of reasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50\n713D Court order requiring statement of reasons be given 51\n713E Further statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52\n95 Insertion of new ch 10, pt 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52\nPart 10 Transitional provisions for Legal Profession\n(Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Act\n2026\nDivision 1 Preliminary\n789 Definitions for part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53\nDivision 2 Making and deciding applications and related matters\n790 Applications for review of decisions previously reviewable by\ntribunal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53\n791 Existing applications tribunal has started to hear or decide\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54\n792 Application of new s 32 to particular directions . . . . . 55\n793 Application of new s 70 to particular reviews . . . . . . 55\n794 Application of new s 98 to particular reviews . . . . . . 55\n795 Application of new s 375 to particular periods . . . . . . 56\n796 Application of new s 377 to particular periods . . . . . . 56\n797 Application of new s 396 to particular reviews . . . . . 56\n798 Application of new s 474 to particular disciplinary action 57\n799 Application of new s 581QQ to particular decisions and\ndirections of tribunal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57\n800 Existing applications tribunal has not started to hear or decide\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57\nDivision 3 Orders and related matters\n801 Enforcement of particular tribunal orders . . . . . . . . . 58\n802 Compliance with particular tribunal orders . . . . . . . . 59\n803 Confidentiality of client communications relating to discipline\napplication or disciplinary action of tribunal . . . . . . . . 59\nDivision 4 Panel members\n804 Continuation of appointment of panel member for Supreme","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0002","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 2","content":"Contents\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 7\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\nCourt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60\n805 Panel members to finish helping tribunal for hearing 60\n806 Entitlement of member of practitioner panel to remuneration\nfor helping tribunal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61\nDivision 5 Transitional regulation-making power\n807 Transitional regulation-making power . . . . . . . . . . . . 61\n808 Expiry of division and transitional regulation . . . . . . . 62\n96 Insertion of new sch 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62\nSchedule 1 Procedural provisions for Supreme Court for chapters\n6B and 6D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62\n97 Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64\nPart 3 Other amendments\n98 Legislation amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65\nSchedule 1 Other amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66\nLegal Profession Act 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66\nQueensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 . . . . . . . 66\n\n2026\nA Bill\nfor\nAn Act to amend the Legal Profession Act 2007 and the\nlegislation mentioned in schedule 1 for particular purposes\n\nPage 10\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 1]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 1 Preliminary\nThe Parliament of Queensland enacts—\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Legal Profession (Strengthening\nDisciplinary Matters) Amendment Act 2026.\n2 Commencement\nThis Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal\nProfession Act 2007\n3 Act amended\nThis part amends the Legal Profession Act 2007.\nNote—\nSee also the amendments in schedule 1.\n4 Amendment of s 10 (Information notices)\n(1) Section 10(1)—\nomit, insert—\n(1) An information notice is a written notice to a\nperson about a decision relating to the person\nstating—\n(a) the decision; and\n(b) the reasons for the decision; and\n1\n2\nClause 3\n4\n5\nClause 6\n7\n8\n9\nClause 10\n11\n12\n13\nClause 14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n\nPage 11\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 5]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(c) if the person may appeal to the Supreme\nCourt or another court against the\ndecision—\n(i) that the person may appeal to the court\nagainst the decision; and\n(ii) the day by which the appeal must be\nstarted.\nNote—\nSee sections 265(4) and 277(4) in relation to\nappeals that may, in the circumstances, be made to\na court other than the Supreme Court.\n(2) Section 10(3), ‘apply for a review, or appeal,’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal\n(3) Section 10(3), ‘to apply for review or’—\nomit.\n5 Amendment of s 26 (Associates who are disqualified or\nconvicted persons)\nSection 26(4)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n6 Amendment of s 29 (Definitions for pt 2.3)\n(1) Section 29, definition Supreme Court, paragraph (a), ‘a single\nSupreme Court judge’—\nomit, insert—\na single judge of the Supreme Court\n(2) Section 29, definition Supreme Court, after paragraph (a)—\ninsert—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\nClause 17\n18\n19\n20\n21\nClause 22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n\nPage 12\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 7]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(aa) for giving a direction mentioned in section\n32(3)(b)—a single judge of the Supreme\nCourt; or\n(ab) for deciding an appeal made under section\n33A—a single judge of the Supreme Court;\nor\n(3) Section 29, definition Supreme Court, paragraphs (aa) to\n(b)—\nrenumber as paragraphs (b) to (d).\n7 Amendment of s 32 (Early consideration of suitability)\n(1) Section 32(3)(b), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(2) Section 32—\ninsert—\n(3A) If an application is referred to the Supreme Court\nunder subsection (3)(b), the court may give a\ndirection to the board as the court considers\nappropriate.\n(3) Section 32(4), ‘mentioned in subsection (3)(b)’—\nomit, insert—\ngiven under subsection (4)\n(4) Section 32(5)—\nomit.\n(5) Section 32(3A) and (4)—\nrenumber as section 32(4) and (5).\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\nClause 10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n\nPage 13\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 8]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n8 Replacement of s 33 (Involvement of tribunal and\nSupreme Court)\nSection 33—\nomit, insert—\n33 Appeal to Court of Appeal against board’s\nrefusal to make suitability declaration\n(1) This section applies if, on referral of an\napplication under section 32(3)(b), the Supreme\nCourt directs the board to refuse to make a\ndeclaration mentioned in section 32(2).\n(2) The board must give the applicant for the\ndeclaration an information notice about the\nrefusal.\n(3) The applicant may, within 28 days after being\ngiven the information notice, appeal to the Court\nof Appeal against the refusal.\n(4) The appeal is by way of rehearing on the evidence\ngiven in the matter before the Supreme Court.\n(5) However, subsection (4) does not prevent the\nCourt of Appeal from giving leave to introduce\nfurther evidence, whether fresh, additional or\nsubstituted, if the court considers the further\nevidence may be material to the appeal.\n(6) The Court of Appeal may make any order it\nconsiders appropriate on the appeal.\n(7) For the appeal, section 10(1) applies to the\ninformation notice as if the reference in the\nprovision to the decision were a reference to the\nrefusal mentioned in subsection (1).\n33A Appeal to Supreme Court against board’s\nrefusal to make suitability declaration\n(1) This section applies if the board decides under\nsection 32(3)(c) to refuse to make a declaration\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n\nPage 14\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 9]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nmentioned in section 32(2).\n(2) The board must give the applicant for the\ndeclaration an information notice about the\ndecision.\n(3) The applicant may appeal to the Supreme Court\nagainst the decision.\n9 Amendment of s 46 (Suitability to hold local practising\ncertificate)\nSection 46(2)(d)(i), ‘Supreme Court’—\nomit, insert—\nformer disciplinary body\n10 Amendment of s 51 (Grant or renewal of local practising\ncertificate)\nSection 51(9), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n11 Amendment of s 54 (Applications relating to conditions)\n(1) Section 54(2)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n(2) Section 54(4)(b), from ‘may’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nmay appeal to the Supreme Court against the\ndecision\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\nClause 7\n8\n9\n10\n11\nClause 12\n13\n14\n15\n16\nClause 17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n\nPage 15\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 12]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n12 Amendment of s 61 (Amending, suspending or cancelling\na local practising certificate)\nSection 61(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n13 Amendment of s 62 (Operation of amendment,\nsuspension or cancellation of local practising certificate)\nSection 62(3)(a), from ‘the tribunal’ to ‘QCAT Act,’—\nomit, insert—\nthe Supreme Court may, on application by the\ncertificate holder,\n14 Amendment of s 63 (Immediate amendment or\nsuspension of local practising certificate)\n(1) Section 63(9)(a), from ‘apply’ to ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\napply to the Supreme Court\n(2) Section 63(9)(b), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\ncourt\n(3) Section 63(9)(b), ‘tribunal’s’—\nomit, insert—\ncourt’s\n15 Amendment of s 69 (Refusal, amendment, suspension or\ncancellation of local practising certificate because of\nfailure to show cause)\nSection 69(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\nClause 6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\nClause 12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\nClause 23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 16\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 16]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n16 Amendment of s 70 (Restriction on making further\napplication)\n(1) Section 70(3), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n(2) Section 70(4)(a), ‘application for review of’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal against\n17 Amendment of s 76 (Additional condition on interstate\nlegal practitioner engaging in legal practice in this\njurisdiction)\nSection 76(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n18 Amendment of s 87 (Health assessment)\nSection 87(5), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n19 Amendment of s 98 (Law society and bar association to\nnotify other jurisdictions about particular matters)\n(1) Section 98(1)(b), from ‘an application’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nan appeal to the Supreme Court against a decision\n(2) Section 98(2) and (3)(b)(ii), ‘review’—\n1\nClause 2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\nClause 10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\nClause 16\n17\n18\n19\nClause 20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n\nPage 17\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 20]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nomit, insert—\nappeal\n20 Amendment of s 183 (Grant or renewal of local\nregistration)\nSection 183(4)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n21 Amendment of s 185 (Refusal to grant or renew\nregistration)\n(1) Section 185(2)(c), ‘a disciplinary body’—\nomit, insert—\na disciplinary body, the former disciplinary body\n(2) Section 185(7)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n22 Amendment of s 188 (Amending, suspending or\ncancelling registration)\nSection 188(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n23 Amendment of s 189 (Operation of amendment,\nsuspension or cancellation of registration)\nSection 189(3)(a), from ‘the tribunal’ to ‘QCAT Act,’—\nomit, insert—\nthe Supreme Court may, on application by the\nperson,\n1\n2\nClause 3\n4\n5\n6\n7\nClause 8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\nClause 16\n17\n18\n19\n20\nClause 21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n\nPage 18\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n24 Amendment of s 194 (Refusal, amendment, suspension\nor cancellation of local registration—failure to show\ncause)\nSection 194(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n25 Amendment of s 195 (Restriction on making further\napplications)\nSection 195(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n26 Amendment of s 197 (Immediate suspension of\nregistration)\n(1) Section 197(8)(a), from ‘apply’ to ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\napply to the Supreme Court\n(2) Section 197(8)(b), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\ncourt\n(3) Section 197(8)(b), ‘tribunal’s’—\nomit, insert—\ncourt’s\n27 Amendment of s 208 (Additional conditions on practice\nof interstate-registered foreign lawyers)\nSection 208(4)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\nClause 7\n8\n9\n10\n11\nClause 12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\nClause 23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 19\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 28]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n28 Amendment of s 278 (Disqualification of person as\nexternal examiner)\n(1) Section 278(2), (3) and (4), ‘information notice’—\nomit, insert—\nQCAT information notice\n(2) Section 278—\ninsert—\n(7) A defect in the QCAT information notice does not\naffect the individual’s right to apply under\nsubsection (6) for a review of the decision to\ndisqualify the individual.\n(8) In this section—\nQCAT information notice means a notice\ncomplying with the QCAT Act, section 157(2).\n29 Amendment of s 328 (Setting aside costs agreements)\nSection 328—\ninsert—\n(1B) For a proceeding on an application to the tribunal,\nthe tribunal is to be constituted by a legally\nqualified member under the QCAT Act.\n30 Amendment of s 375 (Time limit for making claims)\n(1) Section 375(1)(b) and (c)—\nomit, insert—\n(b) within a further period, if any, allowed by\nthe law society under subsection (2); or\n(c) within a further period, if any, allowed by\nthe Supreme Court under subsection (4).\n(2) Section 375—\ninsert—\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\nClause 15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\nClause 21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 20\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 31]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(1A) The law society may allow a further period for\nmaking a claim on its own initiative or if asked by\nthe prospective claimant.\n(1B) If, on request by the prospective claimant, the law\nsociety decides to refuse to allow a further period\nfor making a claim—\n(a) the law society must give the prospective\nclaimant an information notice about the\ndecision; and\n(b) the prospective claimant may appeal to the\nSupreme Court against the decision.\n(1C) The Supreme Court may, on an appeal mentioned\nin subsection (3)(b), allow a further period for\nmaking the claim.\n(3) Section 375(2), from ‘The tribunal’ to ‘subsection (1)’—\nomit, insert—\nThe law society or the Supreme Court may allow\na further period mentioned in subsection (2) or (4)\n(4) Section 375(2)(b), ‘the tribunal or law society’—\nomit, insert—\nthe law society or the court\n(5) Section 375(1A) to (2)—\nrenumber as section 375(2) to (5).\n31 Amendment of s 377 (Time limit for making claims\nfollowing advertisement)\n(1) Section 377(2)(b) and (c)—\nomit, insert—\n(b) within a further period, if any, allowed by\nthe law society under subsection (4); or\n(c) within a further period, if any, allowed by\nthe Supreme Court under subsection (6).\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\nClause 24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n\nPage 21\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 32]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(2) Section 377—\ninsert—\n(3A) The law society may allow a further period for\nmaking a claim on its own initiative or if asked by\na prospective claimant.\n(3B) If, on request by a prospective claimant, the law\nsociety decides to refuse to allow a further period\nfor making a claim—\n(a) the law society must give the prospective\nclaimant an information notice about the\ndecision; and\n(b) the prospective claimant may appeal to the\nSupreme Court against the decision.\n(3C) The Supreme Court may, on an appeal mentioned\nin subsection (5)(b), allow a further period for\nmaking the claim.\n(3) Section 377(4), from ‘The tribunal’ to ‘subsection (2)’—\nomit, insert—\nThe law society or the Supreme Court may allow\na further period mentioned in subsection (4) or (6)\n(4) Section 377(4)(b), ‘the tribunal or law society’—\nomit, insert—\nthe law society or the court\n(5) Section 377(3A) to (4)—\nrenumber as section 377(4) to (7).\n32 Replacement of ch 3, pt 3.6, div 7, hdg (Review)\nChapter 3, part 3.6, division 7, heading—\nomit, insert—\nDivision 7 Appeals\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\nClause 26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 22\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 33]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n33 Amendment of s 392 (Review of decision on claim)\n(1) Section 392, heading, ‘Review of’—\nomit, insert—\nAppeal against\n(2) Section 392(1), from ‘apply’ to ‘review of’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against\n(3) Section 392(2), from ‘an application’ to ‘(review\napplication)’—\nomit, insert—\nan appeal under this section\n(4) Section 392(2)(a), ‘applicant’—\nomit, insert—\nappellant\n(5) Section 392(2)(b), from ‘the tribunal’ to ‘review\napplication’—\nomit, insert—\nthe Supreme Court may, on application by the law\nsociety, stay the appeal\n34 Amendment of s 393 (Review of failure to decide claim\nwithin 1 year)\n(1) Section 393, heading—\nomit, insert—\n393 Application for direction and order for failure\nto decide claim\n(2) Section 393(1) and (2)—\nomit, insert—\n(1) This section applies if the law society fails to\ndecide a claim within 1 year after the claim was\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\nClause 20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0003","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 3","content":"Page 23\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 35]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nmade.\n(2) While the failure continues, the claimant may\napply to the Supreme Court for a direction and an\norder under this section (a relevant application).\n(3) Section 393(3), from ‘On an’ to ‘(review application)’—\nomit, insert—\nIf a relevant application is made\n(4) Section 393(3)(b), from ‘the tribunal’ to ‘review\napplication’—\nomit, insert—\nthe Supreme Court may, on application by the law\nsociety, stay the relevant application\n(5) Section 393(4), ‘The tribunal may decide the review’—\nomit, insert—\nThe Supreme Court may decide the relevant\napplication\n(6) Section 393(4)(a), ‘matter’—\nomit, insert—\nclaim\n(7) Section 393(4)(a)(i), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\ncourt\n35 Amendment of s 394 (Proceedings on review)\n(1) Section 394, heading, ‘review’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal\n(2) Section 394, ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\nClause 23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n\nPage 24\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 36]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nSupreme Court\n36 Amendment of s 396 (Limiting payments from fidelity\nfund to capped amount)\nSection 396(5), definition allowed amount, from ‘reviewed’ to\n‘decided by QCAT’—\nomit, insert—\nappealed to the Supreme Court, the amount\npayable in relation to the claim as decided by the\ncourt\n37 Amendment of s 420 (Conduct capable of constituting\nunsatisfactory professional conduct or professional\nmisconduct)\nSection 420(1)(f), ‘a disciplinary body’—\nomit, insert—\na disciplinary body or the former disciplinary\nbody\n38 Amendment of s 443 (Powers for investigations)\nSection 443(4)(b), (5) and (7), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n39 Amendment of s 452 (Starting proceeding before a\ndisciplinary body)\n(1) Section 452(1)(a), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(2) Section 452(2)—\ninsert—\n1\nClause 2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\nClause 10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\nClause 17\n18\n19\n20\nClause 21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 25\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 40]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nNotes—\n1 For other provisions relating to proceedings for\ndiscipline applications before the Supreme Court,\nsee parts 6B.1 and 6B.2.\n2 For other provisions relating to proceedings for\ndiscipline applications before the committee, see\nchapter 6C.\n40 Amendment of s 456 (Decisions of tribunal about an\nAustralian legal practitioner)\n(1) Section 456, heading, ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(2) Section 456(1), ‘tribunal’, first mention—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(3) Section 456(1), ‘tribunal’, second and third mentions—\nomit, insert—\ncourt\n(4) Section 456(2), ‘The tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nThe Supreme Court\n(5) Section 456(2)(d)(iii), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\ncourt\n(6) Section 456(3), ‘The tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nThe Supreme Court\n(7) Section 456(3)(d)(iii), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\nClause 8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 26\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 41]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\ncourt\n(8) Section 456(4), (5), (6) and (7), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n41 Replacement of s 457 (Enforcement of orders etc.)\nSection 457—\nomit, insert—\n457 Notification of Supreme Court orders\n(1) This section applies if the Supreme Court—\n(a) makes an order under section 456 or 462 or\npart 4.10 in relation to a discipline\napplication; or\n(b) makes an order in relation to a discipline\napplication on an appeal under section 469\nagainst a decision of the committee.\n(2) The registrar must give the Minister a copy of the\norder and the reasons for the order.\n42 Amendment of s 459 (Orders to be filed in Supreme Court\nand information notices to be given to parties etc.)\n(1) Section 459, heading—\nomit, insert—\n459 Notification and filing of committee orders\n(2) Section 459(1), ‘after’—\nomit, insert—\nif\n(3) Section 459(3), from ‘If’ to ‘the application’—\nomit, insert—\nIf an appeal to the Supreme Court against the\n1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\nClause 18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n\nPage 27\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 43]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\ndecision is not started within the time allowed for\nmaking the appeal\n43 Amendment of s 461 (Compliance with decisions and\norders)\nSection 461(2)(a) and (3), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n44 Amendment of s 462 (Costs)\n(1) Section 462—\ninsert—\n(1A) Nothing in subsection (1) requires the disciplinary\nbody to make an order requiring the person to pay\ncosts relating to conduct in which the person has\nengaged that is not prescribed conduct.\n(2) Section 462(3), ‘subsection (2)’—\nomit, insert—\nsubsection (3)\n(3) Section 462(6)—\ninsert—\nNote—\nThe Supreme Court may also make orders for costs\nunder sections 581PW and 581PX.\n(4) Section 462(7) and (8)—\nomit, insert—\n(7) In this section—\nprescribed conduct means unsatisfactory\nprofessional conduct, professional misconduct or\nmisconduct in relation to a relevant practice, as\nmentioned in section 456(1) or 458(1).\n1\n2\nClause 3\n4\n5\n6\n7\nClause 8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 28\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 45]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(5) Section 462(1A) to (7)—\nrenumber as section 462(2) to (8).\n45 Replacement of ch 4, pt 4.10A, hdg (Appeals from\ndecisions of disciplinary bodies)\nChapter 4, part 4.10A, heading—\nomit, insert—\nPart 4.10A Appeals from\ncommittee decisions\nrelating to discipline\napplications\n46 Omission of s 468 (Appeal may be made to Court of\nAppeal from tribunal’s decision)\nSection 468—\nomit.\n47 Amendment of s 469 (Application to tribunal for review of\ncommittee’s decision)\n(1) Section 469, heading—\nomit, insert—\n469 Appeal to Supreme Court against committee’s\ndecision\n(2) Section 469(1), from ‘apply’ to ‘the decision’—\nomit, insert—\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\n(3) Section 469(2), ‘QCAT for the review’—\nomit, insert—\nthe Supreme Court for the appeal\n1\n2\nClause 3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\nClause 11\n12\n13\n14\nClause 15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n\nPage 29\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 48]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(4) Section 469(2)—\ninsert—\nNote—\nFor other provisions relating to proceedings for the\nappeal, see parts 6B.1 and 6B.3.\n48 Omission of s 470 (Appeal to Court of Appeal in relation\nto a decision of committee)\nSection 470—\nomit.\n49 Amendment of s 471 (Definition for pt 4.11)\nSection 471, definition disciplinary action, paragraphs (a) and\n(b), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nformer disciplinary body\n50 Amendment of s 477 (General provisions about\ndisclosure of information)\n(1) Section 477(1)(a), after ‘body’—\ninsert—\nor the former disciplinary body\n(2) Section 477(1)(c), from ‘, including’ to ‘paragraph (a)’—\nomit.\n51 Amendment of s 491 (Confidentiality of client\ncommunications)\nSection 491(1), ‘under the QCAT Act,’—\nomit, insert—\nor order of the Supreme Court\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\nClause 6\n7\n8\n9\nClause 10\n11\n12\n13\n14\nClause 15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\nClause 22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n\nPage 30\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n52 Insertion of new chs 6B–6D\nAfter chapter 6A—\ninsert—\nChapter 6B Provisions about\nproceedings before\nSupreme Court\nPart 6B.1 General matters\n581P Application of part\nThis part applies in relation to a proceeding before\nthe Supreme Court under a provision of this Act\nmentioned in schedule 1.\n581PA Procedure for conducting proceeding\nWhen conducting the proceeding, the Supreme\nCourt—\n(a) must act as quickly, and with as little\nformality and technicality, as is consistent\nwith a fair and proper consideration of the\nissues before it; and\n(b) is not bound by the rules of evidence; and\n(c) may inform itself in any way it considers\nappropriate.\n581PB Prohibited publication about hearing of\nproceeding\n(1) Before, during or immediately after the hearing of\nthe proceeding, the Supreme Court may make an\norder prohibiting the publication of information\nstated in the order relating to—\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 31\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(a) the proceeding; or\n(b) the hearing; or\n(c) an order of the court.\n(2) A person must not contravene an order under\nsubsection (1).\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(3) A person must not publish or allow someone else\nto publish—\n(a) a question disallowed by the Supreme Court\nat the hearing; or\n(b) an answer given to a question disallowed by\nthe Supreme Court at the hearing.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(4) Also, the Supreme Court may make an order\nprohibiting—\n(a) the issue of the entire or part of a copy of the\nrecord made under the Recording of\nEvidence Act 1962; or\n(b) the publication of the entire or part of a copy\nof the record made under the Recording of\nEvidence Act 1962.\n(5) A person must not contravene an order under\nsubsection (4).\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(6) In this section—\npublish includes publish on radio, television or\nthe internet.\nrecord includes an audio recording.\nPart 6B.2 Discipline applications\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 32\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nDivision 1 Preliminary\n581PC Application of part\nThis part applies in relation to a proceeding before\nthe Supreme Court for a discipline application.\nDivision 2 General provisions\nDivision 3 Panels and related matters\n581PG Panel to help Supreme Court hear and\ndecide discipline application\n(1) For hearing and deciding a discipline application,\nthe Supreme Court is to be helped by 2 panel\nmembers chosen by the registrar and approved by\nthe judge presiding over the proceeding.\n(2) However, the panel members do not constitute the\nSupreme Court for hearing and deciding the\ndiscipline application.\n(3) The panel members mentioned in subsection (1)\nmust be—\n(a) 1 member of the lay panel; and\n(b) 1 of the following members—\n(i) if the complaint is about the conduct of\na person who, at the time of performing\nthe acts or omitting to do the acts\nconstituting the conduct complained\nof, was a barrister or, in the opinion of\nthe presiding judge, was engaged in\nlegal practice in the manner of a\nbarrister—a member of the practitioner\npanel who is a barrister;\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n\nPage 33\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(ii) otherwise—a member of the\npractitioner panel who is a solicitor.\n(4) The registrar must keep a record of the names of\nthe panel members helping the Supreme Court\nand the discipline application for which the\nhearing is held.\n581PH Continuing hearing with only 1 panel\nmember\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) 1 of the panel members mentioned in\nsection 581PG(1) (the former panel\nmember) is helping, or is about to help, the\nSupreme Court hear and decide a discipline\napplication; and\n(b) any of the following events happens—\n(i) the appointment of the panel member is\nended or terminated under section\n581PL(1) or (2);\n(ii) the panel member disqualifies themself\nin relation to the hearing under section\n581PN(2);\n(iii) the panel member becomes unavailable\nto help, or to continue to help, the court\nhear and decide the application;\n(iv) the panel member otherwise stops\nbeing a panel member or stops helping\nthe court to hear and decide the\napplication; and\n(c) the other panel member can continue to help\nthe court hear and decide the application.\n(2) Despite section 581PG(1), the Supreme Court\nmay continue to hear and decide the discipline\napplication in the absence of the former panel\nmember if the court considers—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n\nPage 34\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(a) it is in the interests of justice to continue to\nhear and decide the application; and\n(b) that not continuing to hear and decide the\napplication would cause undue delay or\nexpense for a party to the application.\n(3) This section does not authorise the Supreme Court\nto hear and decide a discipline application without\nbeing helped by at least 1 panel member.\nPart 6B.3 Particular appeals to\nSupreme Court\n581PP Application of part\nThis part applies in relation to an appeal to the\nSupreme Court against a decision under a\nprovision of this Act mentioned in schedule 1,\npart 1.\n581PQ Starting appeal\nThe appeal must be started within—\n(a) for a person who has been given an\ninformation notice about the decision—28\ndays after the day the person is given the\nnotice; or\n(b) for a person who has not been given an\ninformation notice about the decision—28\ndays after the day the person becomes aware\nof the decision.\nNote—\nSee, however, section 15(2) under which the Supreme\nCourt may allow an appeal after the stated number of\ndays to appeal.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 35\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n581PR Appeal against decision of board etc.\n(1) This section applies if the decision was made by\nthe board, the bar association or the law society\n(each the decision-maker) under this Act.\n(2) The appeal is by way of a fresh hearing unaffected\nby the decision.\n(3) Fresh evidence or evidence in addition to, or in\nsubstitution for, the evidence before the\ndecision-maker may be given on the appeal.\n581PS Appeal against decision of committee\n(1) This section applies if the decision was made by\nthe committee.\n(2) The appeal is by way of rehearing on the evidence\ngiven in the matter before the committee.\n(3) However, subsection (2) does not prevent the\nSupreme Court from giving leave to introduce\nfurther evidence, whether fresh, additional or\nsubstituted, if the court considers the further\nevidence may be material to the appeal.\n581PT Orders on appeal\nIn the proceeding for the appeal, the Supreme\nCourt may make any of the following orders—\n(a) an order confirming or amending the\ndecision;\n(b) an order setting aside the decision and\nsubstituting its own decision;\n(c) an order setting aside the decision and\nreturning the matter for reconsideration to\nthe entity that made the decision, with the\ndirections the court considers appropriate;\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 36\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(d) any other order the court considers\nappropriate.\nPart 6B.4 Matters relating to\ncosts\n581PU Application of part\nUnless otherwise provided, this part applies in\nrelation to a proceeding before the Supreme Court\nunder a provision of this Act mentioned in\nschedule 1.\n581PV Costs for particular proceedings\n(1) Each party to the proceeding must bear the party’s\nown costs of the proceeding.\n(2) Subsection (1) applies subject to subsection (3)\nand sections 581PW and 581PX.\n(3) The Supreme Court may make an order requiring\na party to the proceeding to pay all or a stated part\nof the costs of another party to the proceeding if\nthe court considers the interests of justice require\nit to make the order.\n(4) This section does not apply in relation to a\nproceeding for a discipline application.\nNote—\nFor orders for costs for proceedings for discipline\napplications, see section 462.\n581PW Costs against lawyer or other\nrepresentative in interests of justice\n(1) This section applies if the Supreme Court\nconsiders a lawyer for, or another representative\nof, a party to the proceeding, rather than the party,\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0004","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 4","content":"Page 37\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nis responsible for unnecessarily disadvantaging\nanother party to the proceeding.\n(2) The Supreme Court may make an order for costs\nrequiring the lawyer or representative to pay a\nstated amount to the other party as compensation\nfor the unnecessary costs.\n(3) Before making an order for costs under\nsubsection (2), the Supreme Court must give the\nlawyer or representative a reasonable opportunity\nto be heard in relation to making the order.\n581PX Costs against intervening parties\n(1) If the Attorney-General intervenes in the\nproceeding for the State, the Supreme Court may\nmake an order for costs requiring the State to pay\na stated amount to a party to the proceeding as\ncompensation for all or a part of the costs\nreasonably incurred by the party as a result of the\nintervention.\n(2) If the Supreme Court gives leave to a person to\nintervene in the proceeding, the court may make\nan order for costs requiring the person to pay a\nstated amount to a party to the proceeding as\ncompensation for all or a part of the costs\nreasonably incurred by the party as a result of the\nintervention.\nChapter 6C Provisions about\ndiscipline\napplications before\ncommittee\nPart 6C.1 Preliminary\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 38\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n581PY Application of part\nThis part applies in relation to a proceeding before\nthe committee for a discipline application.\nPart 6C.2 Hearings\nPart 6C.3 Conduct of\nproceedings\nPart 6C.4 Powers of committee\nChapter 6D Particular\nproceedings before\nCourt of Appeal\n581QP Definition for chapter\nIn this chapter—\ndecision, of the Supreme Court, includes—\n(a) an order made by the court; and\n(b) an order of the court mentioned in section\n459(4); and\n(c) a direction given by the court.\n581QQ General requirements for appeals against\nparticular Supreme Court decisions\n(1) This section applies in relation to a decision of the\nSupreme Court made—\n(a) on appeal, from a decision of the bar\nassociation, the board, the committee or the\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n\nPage 39\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nlaw society, under a provision of this Act\nmentioned in schedule 1, part 1; or\n(b) under a provision of this Act mentioned in\nschedule 1, part 2.\n(2) However, this section applies in relation to a\ndecision of the Supreme Court subject to sections\n581QR and 581QS.\n(3) A party who is dissatisfied with the decision, or\nthe Minister, may appeal to the Court of Appeal\nagainst the decision.\n(4) The appeal is by way of rehearing on the evidence\ngiven in the matter before the Supreme Court.\n(5) However, subsection (4) does not prevent the\nCourt of Appeal from giving leave to introduce\nfurther evidence, whether fresh, additional or\nsubstituted, if the court considers the further\nevidence may be material to the appeal.\n(6) The Court of Appeal may make any order it\nconsiders appropriate on the appeal.\n581QR Appeal against particular decisions only\nwith leave\n(1) This section applies in relation to a decision of the\ncommittee mentioned in section 459(1) that has\nbecome an order of the Supreme Court under\nsection 459(4).\n(2) An appeal to the Court of Appeal against the\ndecision may be made only with the leave of the\nCourt of Appeal.\n(3) The appeal is by way of rehearing on the evidence\ngiven in the matter before the committee.\n(4) However, subsection (3) does not prevent the\nCourt of Appeal from giving leave to introduce\nfurther evidence, whether fresh, additional or\nsubstituted, if the court considers the further\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n\nPage 40\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 53]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nevidence may be material to the appeal.\n581QS Appeal against particular decisions only on\nquestion of law and with leave\n(1) This section applies in relation to a decision of the\nSupreme Court made on appeal from a decision of\nthe committee under section 469(1).\n(2) An appeal to the Court of Appeal against the\ndecision may be made only—\n(a) on a question of law; and\n(b) with the leave of the Court of Appeal.\n(3) Section 581QQ(4) does not apply in relation to\nthe appeal.\n(4) The Court of Appeal may give leave to introduce\nfurther evidence, whether fresh, additional or\nsubstituted, if the court considers the further\nevidence may be material to the appeal.\n53 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.2, hdg (Provisions about\nproceedings before tribunal)\nChapter 7, part 7.2, heading—\nomit.\n54 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.2, div 1 (Constitution of tribunal)\nChapter 7, part 7.2, division 1—\nomit.\n55 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.2, div 2, hdg (Panels, panel\nmembers and related matters)\nChapter 7, part 7.2, division 2, heading—\nomit.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\nClause 17\n18\n19\n20\nClause 21\n22\n23\nClause 24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 41\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 56]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n56 Omission of s 599 (Panel to help the tribunal hear and\ndecide discipline application)\nSection 599—\nomit.\n57 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 607\n(Establishment of panels for helping the tribunal)\n(1) Section 607, heading, ‘the tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(2) Section 607—\nrelocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and\nrenumber as section 581PI.\n58 Relocation and renumbering of s 608 (Appointment of\npanel members)\nSection 608—\nrelocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and\nrenumber as section 581PJ.\n59 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 609\n(Remuneration and appointment conditions of panel\nmembers)\n(1) Section 609(1), ‘A member of the lay panel’—\nomit, insert—\nA panel member\n(2) Section 609(1), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(3) Section 609(2), ‘lay’—\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\nClause 13\n14\n15\n16\n17\nClause 18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 42\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 60]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nomit, insert—\npanel\n(4) Section 609(2), ‘section 610’—\nomit, insert—\nsection 581PL\n(5) Section 609(3), from ‘member’ to ‘holds’—\nomit, insert—\npanel member holds\n(6) Section 609—\nrelocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and\nrenumber as section 581PK.\n60 Relocation and renumbering of s 610 (Termination of\nappointment)\nSection 610—\nrelocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and\nrenumber as section 581PL.\n61 Relocation and renumbering of s 611 (Resignation of\nmembers)\nSection 611—\nrelocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and\nrenumber as section 581PM.\n62 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 612\n(Disclosure of interests)\n(1) Section 612(1), ‘tribunal’, first mention—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(2) Section 612(1), ‘tribunal’, second mention—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\nClause 12\n13\n14\n15\n16\nClause 17\n18\n19\n20\n21\nClause 22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 43\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 63]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nomit, insert—\ncourt\n(3) Section 612(1)(a)—\nomit, insert—\n(a) the judge presiding over the proceeding; and\n(4) Section 612(2), ‘himself or herself’—\nomit, insert—\nthemself\n(5) Section 612(4)—\nomit.\n(6) Section 612—\nrelocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and\nrenumber as section 581PN.\n63 Relocation and renumbering of s 613 (Protection of panel\nmembers)\nSection 613—\nrelocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and\nrenumber as section 581PO.\n64 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.3, div 5, hdg (Provisions applying\nto committee for hearings)\nChapter 7, part 7.3, division 5, heading—\nomit.\n65 Relocation and renumbering of s 639 (Constitution of\ncommittee for hearing)\nSection 639—\nrelocate to part 6C.2, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581PZ.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\nClause 14\n15\n16\n17\n18\nClause 19\n20\n21\n22\nClause 23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 44\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 66]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n66 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 640\n(Conduct of committee for hearing and deciding\ndiscipline applications)\n(1) Section 640(4), ‘section 639(2)’—\nomit, insert—\nsection 581PZ(2)\n(2) Section 640—\nrelocate to part 6C.2, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QA.\n67 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 641\n(Disclosure of interests)\n(1) Section 641(6), from ‘tribunal’ to ‘QCAT Act’—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(2) Section 641—\nrelocate to part 6C.2, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QB.\n68 Relocation and renumbering of s 642 (Protection of\nmembers etc.)\nSection 642—\nrelocate to part 6C.2, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QC.\n69 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, hdg (Other provisions applying\nto committee for discipline applications)\nChapter 7, part 7.4, heading—\nomit.\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\nClause 10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\nClause 18\n19\n20\n21\n22\nClause 23\n24\n25\n26\n\nPage 45\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 70]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n70 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 1, hdg (Parties to\nproceedings before committee)\nChapter 7, part 7.4, division 1, heading—\nomit.\n71 Relocation and renumbering of s 643 (Parties)\nSection 643—\nrelocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QD.\n72 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 2, hdg (Conduct of\nproceedings)\nChapter 7, part 7.4, division 2, heading—\nomit.\n73 Relocation and renumbering of s 644 (Public hearings)\nSection 644—\nrelocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QE.\n74 Relocation and renumbering of s 645 (Procedure for\nhearing by committee)\nSection 645—\nrelocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QF.\n75 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 646\n(Recording evidence)\n(1) Section 646(2), ‘section 650’—\nomit, insert—\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\nClause 9\n10\n11\n12\nClause 13\n14\n15\n16\nClause 17\n18\n19\n20\n21\nClause 22\n23\n24\n25\n\nPage 46\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 76]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nsection 581QK\n(2) Section 646—\nrelocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QG.\n76 Relocation and renumbering of s 647 (Committee may\nproceed in absence of party or may adjourn hearing)\nSection 647—\nrelocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QH.\n77 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 648 (Matter\nmay be decided on affidavit evidence)\n(1) Section 648(b), ‘if the other party does not appear and’—\nomit, insert—\nwithout the written consent of the other party if\n(2) Section 648—\nrelocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QI.\n78 Relocation and renumbering of s 649 (Standard of proof)\nSection 649—\nrelocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QJ.\n79 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 650\n(Prohibited publication about hearing of a disciplinary\napplication)\n(1) Section 650, heading, ‘a disciplinary’—\nomit, insert—\ndiscipline\n1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\n9\nClause 10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\nClause 18\n19\n20\n21\nClause 22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 47\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 80]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(2) Section 650—\nrelocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QK.\n80 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 3, hdg (Powers of committee)\nChapter 7, part 7.4, division 3, heading—\nomit.\n81 Relocation and renumbering of s 651 (Power to disregard\nprocedural lapses)\nSection 651—\nrelocate to part 6C.4, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QL.\n82 Relocation and renumbering of s 652 (Directions for\nhearings)\nSection 652—\nrelocate to part 6C.4, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QM.\n83 Relocation and renumbering of s 653 (Attendance notice)\nSection 653—\nrelocate to part 6C.4, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QN.\n84 Relocation and renumbering of s 654 (Authentication of\ndocuments)\nSection 654—\nrelocate to part 6C.4, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as\nsection 581QO.\n1\n2\n3\nClause 4\n5\n6\nClause 7\n8\n9\n10\n11\nClause 12\n13\n14\n15\n16\nClause 17\n18\n19\n20\nClause 21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n\nPage 48\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 85]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n85 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 4, hdg (Offences)\nChapter 7, part 7.4, division 4, heading—\nomit.\n86 Relocation and renumbering of ss 655 and 656\nSections 655 and 656—\nrelocate to part 4.13 and renumber as sections 487A and\n487B.\n87 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4A, hdg (Provisions applying to\ntribunal for discipline applications)\nChapter 7, part 7.4A, heading—\nomit.\n88 Omission of s 656A (Application of pt 7.4A)\nSection 656A—\nomit.\n89 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 656B\n(Entitlement to appear at hearing)\n(1) Section 656B, ‘tribunal’, first mention—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(2) Section 656B(b), ‘tribunal’—\nomit, insert—\ncourt\n(3) Section 656B—\nrelocate to part 6B.2, division 2, as inserted by this Act, and\nrenumber as section 581PD.\nClause 1\n2\n3\nClause 4\n5\n6\n7\nClause 8\n9\n10\n11\nClause 12\n13\n14\nClause 15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n\nPage 49\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 90]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n90 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 656C\n(Standard of proof)\n(1) Section 656C(1), ‘tribunal’, first mention—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(2) Section 656C(1), ‘tribunal’, second mention—\nomit, insert—\ncourt\n(3) Section 656C(1), ‘the body is’—\nomit.\n(4) Section 656C—\nrelocate to part 6B.2, division 2, as inserted by this Act, and\nrenumber as section 581PE.\n91 Omission of s 656D (Prohibited publication about hearing\nof a discipline application)\nSection 656D—\nomit.\n92 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 656E\n(Power to disregard procedural lapses)\n(1) Section 656E(1), ‘tribunal’, first mention—\nomit, insert—\nSupreme Court\n(2) Section 656E(1), ‘tribunal’, second mention—\nomit, insert—\ncourt\n(3) Section 656E(3), ‘tribunal’s’—\nomit, insert—\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\nClause 14\n15\n16\n17\nClause 18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 50\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 93]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nSupreme Court’s\n(4) Section 656E—\nrelocate to part 6B.2, division 2, as inserted by this Act, and\nrenumber as section 581PF.\n93 Insertion of new s 713B\nAfter section 713A—\ninsert—\n713B Intervention by Attorney-General\nThe Attorney-General may, for the State,\nintervene in a proceeding in the Supreme Court\nunder this Act at any time.\n94 Insertion of new ch 8, pt 8.1, div 3\nChapter 8, part 8.1—\ninsert—\nDivision 3 Statements of reasons\n713C Obtaining statement of reasons\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) the bar association, the board or the law\nsociety (each a decision-maker) makes a\ndecision under this Act; and\n(b) a person may appeal to the Supreme Court\nagainst the decision; and\n(c) the person has not been given a written\nstatement of the reasons for the decision.\n(2) The person may ask the decision-maker to give\nthe person a written statement of the reasons for\nthe decision.\n1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\nClause 12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 51\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 94]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(3) The request must—\n(a) be in writing, whether in paper or electronic\nform; and\n(b) be made within 14 days after—\n(i) if the person was notified of the\ndecision—the day the person was\nnotified; or\n(ii) if subparagraph (i) does not apply—the\nday the person became aware of the\ndecision.\n(4) The decision-maker must give the person the\nstatement within a reasonable period of not more\nthan 28 days after the request is made.\nNote—\nSee the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, section 27B in\nrelation to the content of the statement.\n713D Court order requiring statement of reasons\nbe given\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) under section 713C, a person has asked a\ndecision-maker for a written statement of\nthe reasons for a decision; and\n(b) the decision-maker has not given the person\nthe statement under section 713C(4).\n(2) The person may apply to the Supreme Court for\nan order that the decision-maker give the person\nthe statement.\n(3) If the person applies for an order under\nsubsection (2), the person must give written\nnotice of the application to the decision-maker.\n(4) If the Supreme Court is satisfied the person is\nentitled to receive the statement, the court may\nmake an order requiring the decision-maker to\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0005","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 5","content":"Page 52\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 95]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\ngive the person the statement within the period of\nnot more than 28 days stated in the order.\n713E Further statement\n(1) This section applies if, under this division, a\ndecision-maker gives a person a written statement\nof the reasons for a decision—\n(a) under section 713C(4); or\n(b) in response to an order under section\n713D(4).\n(2) The person may apply to the Supreme Court for\nan order under this section against the\ndecision-maker.\n(3) If the Supreme Court considers the statement does\nnot contain adequate particulars of the reasons for\nthe decision, the court may make an order\nrequiring the decision-maker to give the person,\nwithin a stated period, an additional statement\ncontaining further and better particulars about\nstated matters.\n95 Insertion of new ch 10, pt 10\nChapter 10—\ninsert—\nPart 10 Transitional provisions\nfor Legal Profession\n(Strengthening\nDisciplinary Matters)\nAmendment Act 2026\nDivision 1 Preliminary\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\nClause 20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n\nPage 53\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 95]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n789 Definitions for part\nIn this part—\namendment Act means the Legal Profession\n(Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment\nAct 2026.\nformer, in relation to a provision of this Act,\nwhether generally or by reference to a stated\nprovision, means the provision as in force from\ntime to time before the commencement of the\ntransitional provision in which the term is used.\nhear or decide, an application, does not include\nconducting a proceeding for making an order or\nanother decision pending the final hearing of the\napplication.\nnew, in relation to a provision of this Act, means\nthe provision as in force from the commencement\nof the transitional provision in which the term is\nused.\ntransitional provision means a provision of this\npart.\nDivision 2 Making and deciding\napplications and related\nmatters\n790 Applications for review of decisions\npreviously reviewable by tribunal\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) before the commencement, an entity made a\ndecision affecting a person under this Act;\nand\n(b) immediately before the commencement—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 54\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 95]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(i) the person could have, but had not,\napplied to the tribunal for a review of\nthe decision under a former provision;\nand\n(ii) the period allowed for making the\napplication under the QCAT Act,\nsection 33 (the original period) had not\nended; and\n(c) the person would be able to appeal to the\nSupreme Court against the decision under a\nnew provision if the decision were made\nafter the commencement.\n(2) The person may, within the original period,\nappeal to the Supreme Court against the decision\nunder the new provision.\n(3) If the person does not appeal against the decision\nwithin the original period, the Supreme Court\nmay allow the person to appeal against the\ndecision after the original period has ended if the\ncourt considers it appropriate having regard to the\nextent of, and reasons for, the delay.\n791 Existing applications tribunal has started to\nhear or decide\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) before the commencement—\n(i) an application was made, referred or\ntransferred to the tribunal under a\nformer provision (the existing\napplication); and\n(ii) the tribunal had started to hear or\ndecide, but had not finished hearing or\ndeciding, the application; and\n(b) after the commencement, an application\n(however called) or an appeal seeking relief\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n\nPage 55\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 95]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nin the nature of the relief sought in the\nexisting application would be authorised or\nrequired under a new provision to be made,\nreferred or transferred to the Supreme\nCourt.\n(2) The tribunal must continue to deal with the\nexisting application as if the amendment Act had\nnot been enacted.\n(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the tribunal may\nmake an order or give a direction in relation to the\nexisting application that the tribunal could have\nmade or given under this Act as in force\nimmediately before the commencement.\n792 Application of new s 32 to particular directions\nThe reference in new section 32(5) to a direction\ngiven under new section 32(4) includes a\nreference to a direction given by the tribunal\nunder former section 32(3)(b), whether before the\ncommencement or after the commencement\nunder section 791.\n793 Application of new s 70 to particular reviews\nThe reference in new section 70(4)(a) to a\nsuccessful appeal against a decision under that\nsection includes a reference to a successful\napplication to the tribunal under former section\n70(3) for a review of the decision under that\nsection, whether the application was decided\nbefore the commencement or after the\ncommencement under section 791.\n794 Application of new s 98 to particular reviews\n(1) The reference in new section 98(1)(b) to a lawyer\nbeing successful in an appeal to the Supreme\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n\nPage 56\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 95]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nCourt against a decision includes a reference to\nthe lawyer being successful in an application to\nthe tribunal for a review of the decision, whether\nthe application was decided before the\ncommencement or after the commencement\nunder section 791.\n(2) The reference in new section 98(2) and (3)(b)(ii)\nto the result of the appeal includes a reference to\nthe result of the review mentioned in subsection\n(1).\n795 Application of new s 375 to particular periods\nThe reference in new section 375(1)(c) to a\nfurther period allowed by the Supreme Court\nunder new section 375(4) includes a reference to\na further period allowed by the tribunal on an\napplication mentioned in former section\n375(1)(c), whether the application was decided\nbefore the commencement or after the\ncommencement under section 791.\n796 Application of new s 377 to particular periods\nThe reference in new section 377(2)(c) to a\nfurther period allowed by the Supreme Court\nunder new section 377(6) includes a reference to\na further period allowed by the tribunal as\nmentioned in former section 377(2)(c), whether\nbefore the commencement or after the\ncommencement under section 791.\n797 Application of new s 396 to particular reviews\nThe reference in new section 396(5), definition\nallowed amount to an appeal to the Supreme\nCourt against a claim decided by the law society\nincludes a reference to a review by the tribunal\nmentioned in former section 396(5), definition\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n\nPage 57\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 95]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nallowed amount, whether the review was decided\nbefore the commencement or after the\ncommencement under section 791.\n798 Application of new s 474 to particular\ndisciplinary action\nNew section 474 applies in relation to disciplinary\naction as if a reference in the section to a review\nincluded a reference to a review by the tribunal\nunder a former provision, whether the review was\ndecided before the commencement or after the\ncommencement under section 791.\n799 Application of new s 581QQ to particular\ndecisions and directions of tribunal\n(1) This section applies if, after the commencement,\nthe tribunal makes an order or gives a direction\nunder section 791.\n(2) New section 581QQ applies in relation to the\norder or direction as if—\n(a) the order or direction had been made or\ngiven by the Supreme Court; and\n(b) the reference in new section 581QQ(4) to\nthe Supreme Court were a reference to the\ntribunal.\n(3) However, if the order is made under former\nsection 469(1), new section 581QQ as applied\nunder subsection (2) applies in relation to the\norder subject to new section 581QS.\n800 Existing applications tribunal has not started\nto hear or decide\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) before the commencement—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n\nPage 58\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 95]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(i) an application was made, referred or\ntransferred to the tribunal under a\nformer provision (the existing\napplication); and\n(ii) the tribunal had not started to hear or\ndecide the application; and\n(b) after the commencement, an application\n(however called) or an appeal seeking relief\nin the nature of the relief sought in the\nexisting application would be authorised or\nrequired under a new provision to be made,\nreferred or transferred to the Supreme\nCourt.\n(2) On the commencement, the existing application is\ntransferred to the Supreme Court.\n(3) The Supreme Court must deal with the existing\napplication as if the application had been made,\nreferred or transferred to the Supreme Court under\nthe new provision.\nDivision 3 Orders and related matters\n801 Enforcement of particular tribunal orders\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) before the commencement, the tribunal\nmade—\n(i) an order under former section 456,\nformer section 462 or former part 4.10;\nor\n(ii) an order under the QCAT Act as\nmentioned in former section 457(1)(b);\nor\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 59\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 95]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(b) after the commencement, the tribunal makes\nan order mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii)\nunder section 791.\n(2) Former section 457 continues to apply in relation\nto the order as if the amendment Act had not been\nenacted.\n802 Compliance with particular tribunal orders\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) before the commencement, the tribunal\nmade an order under former section 456 or\nformer section 460; or\n(b) after the commencement, the tribunal makes\nan order mentioned in paragraph (a) under\nsection 791.\n(2) Former section 461 continues to apply in relation\nto the order as if the amendment Act had not been\nenacted.\n803 Confidentiality of client communications\nrelating to discipline application or\ndisciplinary action of tribunal\n(1) This section applies in relation to—\n(a) a discipline application the tribunal was\nhearing under former part 4.9 before the\ncommencement or has continued to hear\nunder section 791 after the commencement;\nor\n(b) disciplinary action mentioned in former\nsection 471, definition disciplinary action\ninstigated by the tribunal before the\ncommencement or under section 791 after\nthe commencement.\n(2) Former section 491 continues to apply in relation\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n\nPage 60\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 95]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nto a requirement under the QCAT Act to answer a\nquestion or produce information or a document\nrelating to a matter to which the discipline\napplication or disciplinary action relates.\nDivision 4 Panel members\n804 Continuation of appointment of panel member\nfor Supreme Court\n(1) This section applies to a person who, immediately\nbefore the commencement, was appointed as a\npanel member.\n(2) From the commencement, the person’s\nappointment continues for helping the Supreme\nCourt to hear and decide discipline applications.\n(3) Subsection (2) applies despite the terms of the\nperson’s appointment as a panel member.\n(4) In a document relating to the person’s\nappointment as a panel member, a reference to the\ntribunal may, if the context permits, be taken to be\na reference to the Supreme Court.\n805 Panel members to finish helping tribunal for\nhearing\n(1) This section applies to a panel member if—\n(a) before the commencement, the panel\nmember was helping the tribunal hear and\ndecide a discipline application; and\n(b) section 791 applies in relation to the\napplication.\n(2) The panel member must continue to help the\ntribunal hear and decide the discipline application\nunder former section 599 as if the amendment Act\nhad not been enacted.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n\nPage 61\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 95]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n(3) This section is not affected by section 804.\n806 Entitlement of member of practitioner panel to\nremuneration for helping tribunal\n(1) This section applies to a member of the\npractitioner panel who is helping the tribunal hear\nand decide a discipline application under section\n805(2).\n(2) The panel member is not entitled to be paid\nremuneration or allowances for sitting with the\ntribunal in relation to hearing and deciding the\ndiscipline application.\nDivision 5 Transitional\nregulation-making power\n807 Transitional regulation-making power\n(1) A regulation (a transitional regulation) may\nmake provision about a matter for which—\n(a) it is necessary to make provision to allow or\nfacilitate the doing of anything to achieve\nthe transition from the operation of this Act\nas in force before the commencement of the\namendment Act to the operation of this Act\nas in force after the commencement of the\namendment Act; and\n(b) this Act does not provide or sufficiently\nprovide.\n(2) A transitional regulation may have retrospective\noperation to a day not earlier than the day this\nsection commences.\n(3) A transitional regulation must declare it is a\ntransitional regulation.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 62\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 96]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n808 Expiry of division and transitional regulation\nThis division and any transitional regulation\nunder section 807 expire on the day that is 2 years\nafter the day this section commences.\n96 Insertion of new sch 1\nBefore schedule 2—\ninsert—\nSchedule 1 Procedural provisions\nfor Supreme Court for\nchapters 6B and 6D\nsections 581P, 581PP, 581PU and 581QQ\nPart 1 Provisions for appeals\nto Supreme Court\nsection 26(4) Associates who are disqualified or convicted\npersons\nsection 33A Appeal to Supreme Court against board’s refusal to\nmake suitability declaration\nsection 51(9) Grant or renewal of local practising certificate\nsection 54(2) and (4) Applications relating to conditions\nsection 61(3) Amending, suspending or cancelling a local\npractising certificate\nsection 69(3) Refusal, amendment, suspension or cancellation of\nlocal practising certificate because of failure to\nshow cause\n1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n\nPage 63\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 96]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\nPart 2 Provisions for\ndecisions or orders of\nSupreme Court at first\ninstance\nsection 70(3) Restriction on making further application\nsection 76(3) Additional condition on interstate legal practitioner\nengaging in legal practice in this jurisdiction\nsection 87(5) Health assessment\nsection 183(4) Grant or renewal of local registration\nsection 185(7) Refusal to grant or renew registration\nsection 188(3) Amending, suspending or cancelling registration\nsection 194(3) Refusal, amendment, suspension or cancellation of\nlocal registration—failure to show cause\nsection 195(3) Restriction on making further applications\nsection 208(4) Additional conditions on practice of\ninterstate-registered foreign lawyers\nsection 375(3) Time limit for making claims\nsection 377(5) Time limit for making claims following\nadvertisement\nsection 392 Appeal against decision on claim\nsection 469(1) Appeal to Supreme Court against committee’s\ndecision\nsection 32(4) Early consideration of suitability\nsection 62(3) Operation of amendment, suspension or cancellation\nof local practising certificate\n1\n2\n3\n4","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0006","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 6","content":"Page 64\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 97]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007\n97 Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary)\n(1) Schedule 2—\ninsert—\ndecision, of the Supreme Court, for chapter 6D,\nsee section 581QP.\ndecision-maker, for part 8.1, division 3, see\nsection 713C(1)(a).\nformer disciplinary body means—\n(a) the tribunal as a disciplinary body under this\nAct as in force before the commencement of\nthis definition; or\n(b) the tribunal continuing to deal with an\nexisting application under section 791 after\nthe commencement of this definition, if the\nexisting application is, or relates to, an\napplication made to the tribunal under\nformer section 452(1)(a).\n(2) Schedule 2, definition disciplinary body, paragraph (a)—\nsection 63(9) Immediate amendment or suspension of local\npractising certificate\nsection 189(3) Operation of amendment, suspension or cancellation\nof registration\nsection 197(8) Immediate suspension of registration\nsection 393 Application for direction and order for failure to\ndecide claim\nsection 443(4) Powers for investigations\nsection 452(1)(a) Starting proceeding before a disciplinary body\nsection 459(4) Notification and filing of committee orders\nsection 581QB(6) Disclosure of interests\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n\nPage 65\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 98]\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 3 Other amendments\nomit, insert—\n(a) the Supreme Court;\n(3) Schedule 2, definition lay panel, ‘section 607(1)(a)’—\nomit, insert—\nsection 581PI(1)(a)\n(4) Schedule 2, definition panel member, ‘part 7.2, division 2’—\nomit, insert—\npart 6B.2, division 3\n(5) Schedule 2, definition practitioner panel, ‘section\n607(1)(b)’—\nomit, insert—\nsection 581PI(1)(b)\nPart 3 Other amendments\n98 Legislation amended\nSchedule 1 amends the legislation it mentions.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\nClause 14\n15\n\nSchedule 1\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 66\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\nSchedule 1 Other amendments\nsection 98\nLegal Profession Act 2007\n1 Section 451(3), ‘sections 650 and 656D’—\nomit, insert—\nsections 581PB and 581QK\n2 Section 454, note—\nomit.\n3 Section 707(3), ‘642’—\nomit, insert—\n581QC\nQueensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act\n2009\n1 Section 149(4), note, from ‘See’—\nomit.\n2 Schedule 3, definition non-publication order, paragraph\n(f)—\nomit.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n\nSchedule 1\nLegal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 67\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n© State of Queensland 2026","sortOrder":5}],"analysis":{"summary":{"status_summary":"The bill is currently before a committee in the Queensland Legislative Assembly.","complexity_score":8,"likely_questions":["What happens to QCAT disciplinary applications that were already partially heard before commencement?","What are the new time limits for appealing a decision of the law society or board to the Supreme Court?","Can the Attorney-General intervene in any Supreme Court proceeding under the Act, and under what circumstances?","How will costs be determined in Supreme Court discipline proceedings, and when can costs be awarded against a party?","What happens to existing panel members appointed to help the tribunal - do they automatically become Supreme Court panel members?"],"complexity_factors":["Extensive restructuring of disciplinary jurisdiction from QCAT to Supreme Court across many sections","Numerous consequential amendments and relocations of existing provisions","Detailed transitional provisions for pending applications, orders, and panel members","New procedural rules for discipline applications, appeals, and costs in the Supreme Court","Interplay with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 and the Legal Profession Act 2007"],"plain_english_summary":"The bill shifts most legal-discipline and review functions in Queensland from QCAT to the Supreme Court, replacing tribunal references across the Legal Profession Act and creating new chapters for court processes and appeals. It affects practitioners, foreign lawyers, the law society, bar association, disciplinary panels and fidelity fund claimants, moves unresolved QCAT matters to the Supreme Court, allows Attorney‑General intervention, adjusts fidelity‑fund time limits and costs rules, and centralises decision‑making—likely increasing formality, cost and appeal risk."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":9,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. The Bill significantly expands and changes the forum and mechanisms for lawyer discipline beyond a narrow procedural strengthening. It moves a large set of review, appeal and enforcement functions from the tribunal/QCAT into the Supreme Court (new chs 6B–6D), alters appeal pathways (fresh hearings vs rehearings vs leave-only appeals), introduces new publication prohibitions with penalties, creates a formal panel-assist structure for the court, and adds new rights to require written reasons. These are not merely technical tweaks: they reallocate adjudicative power, raise procedural and cost barriers, and broaden judicial involvement — a material change of scope from tribunal-based administrative review to judicially-centred discipline processes (see transitional provisions ss 790–800 and schedule 1 mapping)."},"complexity_factors":["Large-scale relocation and renumbering: omits or relocates/renumbers over 40 existing sections (e.g. omission of s599; relocation of ss607–613, 639–656 and others) across the Act.","Insertion of new chapters: inserts Chapters 6B–6D with a dense new regime (new sections 581P–581QS) — approximately 40–50 new sections governing procedure, panels, appeals and costs.","Extensive cross-referencing: converts dozens of references from ‘tribunal/QCAT’ to ‘Supreme Court’ across Parts 2–10, requiring re-interpretation of many existing provisions (see amendments to ss 32, 33/33A, 62, 392–396, 452, 456–462, 469, 581QB etc).","Multiple appeal pathways with differing rules: mix of rehearings, fresh hearings and leave-only appeals (e.g. ss 581PR, 581PS, 581QQ–581QS) producing conditional logic depending on original decision-maker and route.","New procedural protections and prohibitions: prohibited publication with criminal penalties (581PB), new statement-of-reasons regime (713C–713E) and confidentiality/order-filing rules add procedural layers.","Costs regime complexity: default no-costs rule for court appeals (581PV) with multiple carve-outs and personal cost orders against lawyers/ interveners (581PW, 581PX) — layered discretion and exceptions.","Transitional complexity: detailed transitional Part 10 (ss 789–808) with specific mapping of existing tribunal matters to new court procedures, plus a 2‑year transitional regulation power (s 807).","Panel composition and function rules: court is to be assisted by two panel members (one lay, one practitioner) with separate appointment, remuneration and disqualification rules relocated into new parts (581PG–581PH + relocated ss 607–613).","Multiplicity of actors and decision-makers: interplay among law society, bar association, board, committee, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Attorney-General interventions and panel members increases administrative coordination burdens.","Definition changes and dictionary amendments: new/modified defined terms (e.g. \"former disciplinary body\", new cross-chapter definition of \"decision\" for ch 6D) create interpretive dependencies across the Act."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this Bill does, in plain language**\n\n- Moves most lawyer-discipline decision-making out of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT or “the tribunal”) and into the Supreme Court for a large class of matters. The Bill inserts new Chapters 6B–6D into the Legal Profession Act 2007 to set out how discipline and related appeals are to be run in the Supreme Court (see new sections 581P–581QS). It keeps a role for the profession’s committee for some discipline hearings (chapter 6C) but shifts many procedural, appeal and enforcement functions to the courts.\n\n- Replaces or redirects many references that previously pointed to the tribunal or QCAT so that the Supreme Court becomes the decision‑maker or the forum for review, appeal or enforcement in dozens of existing provisions (examples: ss 32, 33/33A, 62–64, 392–394, 452, 456–462 and many others). Where the tribunal previously could hear or review certain matters, the Bill makes the Supreme Court the body to hear appeals or decide the matter (see schedule 1 mapping and transitional provisions).\n\n- Creates new, specific Supreme Court procedures for disciplinary proceedings: quicker and less formal conduct where fair (581PA), an ability for the court to protect confidentiality and prohibit publication (including penalties up to 200 penalty units) (581PB), appointment of two panel members to assist the court for discipline hearings (one lay and one practitioner) (581PG–581PH), and rules about how appeals and rehearings operate in the Supreme Court (581PR–581PT, 581PQ).\n\n- Changes appeal pathways and standards: in some cases appeals to the Supreme Court are by way of a fresh hearing (e.g. appeals from board, law society or bar association decisions) (581PR), in other cases appeals are by rehearing on the tribunal evidence but the court may allow new evidence (581PS). Appeals from some Supreme Court decisions to the Court of Appeal are limited (require leave and/or are limited to questions of law) (581QQ–581QS).\n\n- Recasts costs rules for court proceedings: generally parties must bear their own costs in Supreme Court appeals (581PV(1)), but the court can order costs if the interests of justice require (581PV(3)). The court can order a lawyer or representative personally to pay costs for conduct which unnecessarily disadvantaged another party (581PW). If the Attorney‑General intervenes or a third party intervenes, the court can make costs orders against the intervener (581PX).\n\n- Strengthens procedural rights on reasons and review: a person entitled to appeal to the Supreme Court may request a written statement of reasons from the board, law society or bar association within tight timeframes (request within 14 days, decision‑maker must supply within 28 days) and may seek a court order compelling further or better reasons (713C–713E).\n\n- Preserves transitional rights and creates a transitional regime so existing matters before the tribunal are either continued in the tribunal (if they had already started hearing) or transferred to the Supreme Court (if they had not started) (see transitional Part 10, ss 790–806). A power to make transitional regulations with limited retrospective effect is included (s 807).\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Individual lawyers and law practices: disciplinary complaints, suitability checks, registration, practising certificate decisions, conditions on practice, health‑assessment outcomes and related appeals are affected. Many decisions that previously could be reviewed by the tribunal will now be appealed to, or decided in, the Supreme Court (see schedule 1 list of provisions).\n\n- Legal representative bodies (law society, bar association, board): their decisions about members will attract different appeal routes and new obligations to give reasons (ss 713C–713E). They will also be subject to possible Supreme Court directions and enforcement procedures.\n\n- Complainants and clients: if they are parties to claims on the fidelity fund or complain about practitioner conduct, the forum and appeal rules for those matters change (see amendments to ch 3 time limits and s 396 on capped fidelity fund payments).\n\n- The State/Attorney‑General: the Bill expressly allows the Attorney‑General to intervene in Supreme Court proceedings under the Act (713B). The State could therefore be a party and face costs orders under section 581PX.\n\n- The public and media: publication and reporting restrictions are expanded for Supreme Court hearings and records (581PB), with criminal‑scale penalties attached.\n\n**Why it matters — claimed purpose and practical consequences**\n\n- Claimed purpose: the Bill is titled to “strengthen disciplinary matters.” That claim is implemented by centralising many discipline processes in the Supreme Court, adding formal procedural protections, and tightening enforcement and appeal controls (see new chs 6B–6D and sections that move appeal rights to the Supreme Court).\n\n- Practical trade‑offs and incentives:\n  - Cost and access: moving reviews and appeals into the Supreme Court increases the likely cost and complexity of litigating for practitioners and appellants (Supreme Court process, counsel costs, possible longer preparation). That may deter some appeals or increase reliance on legal representation (see new procedure for appeals and the general costs approach in 581PV). Timeframes (28‑day appeal windows, 14–28 day windows for requesting reasons) are relatively short (581PQ; 713C).\n  - Speed vs expense: the Bill asks the court to be quick and less formal where fair (581PA), but a court forum typically carries higher transactional costs than administrative tribunals. The Bill attempts to preserve speed while increasing judicial oversight.\n  - Enforcement and finality: decisions made or enforced through the Supreme Court are potentially more directly enforceable and can carry stronger judicial orders (see s 456 replacements and the filing/notification requirements in s 457 rewrite), which benefits regulators and those seeking compliance.\n  - Risk of concentration of decision power: shifting review work from QCAT to the Supreme Court concentrates disciplinary adjudication with judges assisted by appointed panel members (581PG). Panel members assist but do not replace the court (581PG(2)). The Bill therefore centralises authority in a judicial forum while retaining some sector expertise through panels.\n  - Incentives on representatives: the court can order costs against counsel or representatives personally where they have unfairly or unnecessarily disadvantaged another party (581PW). That raises the personal‑liability incentive for lawyers to litigate carefully.\n  - State intervention: the Attorney‑General may intervene (713B), and if the State intervenes it can be ordered to pay costs for the consequences of intervention (581PX). That changes the incentive and cost profile when the State is involved.\n\n**Implementation and compliance risks**\n\n- Administrative transition: the Bill relocates and renumbers dozens of provisions and requires new practice management by court registries and the legal profession bodies. The transitional provisions (ss 789–808) and the 2‑year transitional regulation power (s 807–808) attempt to manage this, but there is a risk of confusion, duplication and delay while systems are updated.\n\n- Increased cost burden: practitioners and appellants will generally face higher legal costs, which may concentrate appeal activity among those who can afford it. The Bill’s costs rules partly mitigate this (default each party bears own costs, 581PV(1)) but leave discretion for the court to award costs where justice requires (581PV(3)).\n\n- Confidentiality and publication risk: new criminal penalties for breaching publication prohibitions (up to 200 penalty units; 581PB) increase risk for media, firms and individuals unless clear practice directions and protocols are established.\n\n**Who pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes**\n\n- Who pays: parties normally bear their own costs for Supreme Court proceedings under the new default (581PV(1)), but the court can order one party (including a lawyer personally) or an intervener to pay costs in particular circumstances (581PV(3), 581PW, 581PX). If the Attorney‑General intervenes, the State may be ordered to pay costs arising from that intervention (581PX(1)).\n\n- Who decides: many matters that used to be decided, reviewed or enforced by the tribunal/QCAT shift to judges of the Supreme Court (see new chapters 6B–6D and numerous amendments replacing ‘tribunal’ with ‘Supreme Court’). Committees of the law society/board still hear some discipline applications (chapter 6C), and the Supreme Court is assisted by panel members (581PG).\n\n- Behavioural effects likely to follow: fewer low‑value or borderline appeals (because of cost and formality), greater use of legal representation on appeals, more formal evidence testing in court, potential for earlier settlements, and possibly more conservative behaviour by practitioners facing a court forum and personal risks to counsel for improper conduct (581PW).\n\n**Concrete references to notable changes**\n- New Supreme Court discipline chapters: new chs 6B–6D (sections 581P–581QS).\n- Publication prohibition and penalties: s 581PB.\n- Panels assisting the Supreme Court: ss 581PG–581PH.\n- Appeals and rehearing rules: ss 581PR–581PT (appeals of board/committee decisions).\n- Costs framework and personal orders against lawyers: 581PV–581PX.\n- Statement of reasons and court powers to compel better reasons: 713C–713E.\n- Transitional rules transferring existing tribunal matters: ss 790–800 and the transitional regulation headroom (s 807).\n\nThis Bill changes where, how and under what cost and disclosure rules lawyer discipline matters are decided — shifting many functions from an administrative tribunal to the Supreme Court, while introducing panels to supply sector expertise, tighter reason‑giving rights, publication controls and new cost tools."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/legal-profession-strengthening-disciplinary-matters-amendment-bill-2026","history":"/api/acts/legal-profession-strengthening-disciplinary-matters-amendment-bill-2026/history","analysis":"/api/acts/legal-profession-strengthening-disciplinary-matters-amendment-bill-2026/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/legal-profession-strengthening-disciplinary-matters-amendment-bill-2026/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/legal-profession-strengthening-disciplinary-matters-amendment-bill-2026/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/legal-profession-strengthening-disciplinary-matters-amendment-bill-2026/documents"}}