3608Admission—application for admission

3608 Admission—application for admission (1) An application for admission must— (a) be made by originating application; and (b) if the applicant cannot attend the hearing of the application because of exceptional circumstances—be accompanied by— (i) a letter from the applicant addressed to the admissions board requesting that the applicant be admitted in their absence (an absentee admission); and (ii) an affidavit— (A) stating the circumstances preventing the applicant from attending the hearing; and (B) giving evidence in support of the circumstances (if any). Example—exceptional circumstances the applicant has undergone a medical procedure preventing the applicant from attending the hearing Note See approved form 3.46 (Originating application for admission as a lawyer) AF2007-70.

Rule 3608 (a) an affidavit by the applicant; and (b) at least 3 affidavits of character; and (c) a statement of attainment from the approved PLT provider naming the applicant as having successfully completed the approved PLT course provided by the PLT provider. (3) If the application is filed in paper form, the applicant must file with the application a copy of the application and the affidavits mentioned in subrule (2). (4) The applicant’s affidavit must— (a) state whether the person has been convicted of an offence in Australia or a foreign country, and if so— (i) the nature of the offence; and (ii) the court by which, and the date when, the person was convicted; and (iii) how long ago the offence was committed; and (iv) the person’s age when the offence was committed; and (b) if the applicant completed an approved course of study more than 5 years before making the application—give details of any relevant legal experience the person has obtained after completing the approved course of study; and (c) state whether there are other suitability matters relevant to the applicant’s fitness for admission; and (d) state an address that is the applicant’s address for service.

Rule 3609 (5) An affidavit of character by a person must state— (a) how long the person has known the applicant; and (b) the circumstances in which the person has known the applicant; and (c) whether there is or has been any professional or business relationship between the person and the applicant and, if so, the nature of the relationship; and (d) whether the person is related to the applicant by blood, affinity or adoption; and (e) the person’s opinion about the fame and character of the (6) The court may direct that further evidence about an applicant’s fame and character be given in support of the application.