(1) An inspector must not disclose information acquired in the course of an investigation under this Division except -
(a) as is necessary for the purpose of conducting the investigation and making the report of the investigation; or
(b) as is permitted by subsection (2); or
(c) with the consent of the person to whom the information relates.
Penalty: 60 penalty units.
(2) An inspector may disclose information acquired in the course of an investigation -
(a) to a member of the police force, if the inspector reasonably suspects that an offence has been committed;
(b) to the Board, in connection with any proceedings arising out of the investigation or concerning the law practice that, or approved clerk who, was the subject of the investigation;
(c) to the Commissioner, in connection with any function of the Commissioner arising out of the investigation or concerning the law practice that, or approved clerk who, was the subject of the investigation;
(d) to an external intervener of the legal practice of the law practice that was the subject of the investigation;
(e) to a trustee in bankruptcy or other administrator of the estate of the approved clerk who was the subject of the investigation;
(f) to any officer, employee, agent or delegate of a person referred to in paragraph (b), (c), (d) or (e);
(g) to CPA Australia, the Institute of Public Accountants or the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, if the information relates to the conduct of a member of that body who examined the trust account the subject of the investigation;
(h) to a court or tribunal;
(i) to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission;
(j) to an external examiner of the law practice or approved clerk, in connection with the performance of any function of the external examiner under Division 4.
(3) In addition to any penalty and any civil liability to the law practice or approved clerk, an inspector who contravenes subsection (1) is liable -
(a) to a client of the law practice to the same extent (if any) that the law practice would have been liable had it disclosed the information;
(b) to a law practice that has employed or engaged the clerk, or to a client of that law practice, to the same extent (if any) that the clerk would have been liable to the law practice, or the law practice would have been liable to the client, had the clerk disclosed the information.