Obtaining a Copy of this Auditing Standard

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COPYRIGHT

© Commonwealth of Australia 2006 Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB). The text, graphics and layout of this Auditing Standard are protected by Australian copyright law and the comparable law of other countries. Reproduction within Australia in unaltered form (retaining this notice) is permitted for personal and non-commercial use subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights for commercial purposes within Australia should be addressed to the Principal Executive, Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, PO Box 204, Collins Street West, Melbourne Victoria 8007. Otherwise, no part of the Auditing Standard may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the AUASB except as permitted by law.

ISSN 1833-4393

CONTENTS

PREFACE

AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Paragraphs

Application.................................. 1-2

Operative Date................................ 3

Introduction.................................. 4-6

Audit Implications............................. 7

Audit Procedures.............................. 8-10

Requests for Representation Letters from Lawyers........ 11-17

Employee and/or Third Party Lawyers ................ 18-21

Lawyer’s Response............................. 22-25

Lawyer’s Inability to Respond Comprehensively or Limitations in a Response 26-30

Audit Reporting Considerations..................... 31-32

Related Procedures............................. 33-37

Conformity with International Standards on Auditing...... 38

Appendix 1: Example of a Request for a Representation Letter to a Lawyer for a Companyan Audit Client

Preface

Reasons for Issuing Auditing Standard ASA 508 Enquiry Regarding Litigation and Claims