589Associates who are disqualified or convicted people

589 Associates who are disqualified or convicted people (1) A law practice must not have a person as a lay associate if— (a) a principal, or other legal practitioner associate, of the practice knows that the person— (i) is a disqualified person; or (ii) has been convicted of a serious offence; and (b) the person is not approved by the relevant council under (2) The relevant council may, on application, approve a lay associate for (3) An approval under this section may be subject to stated conditions. (4) A person may appeal to the Supreme Court against a decision of the relevant council under subsection (2) or (3). (5) A person commits an offence if— (a) the person is— (i) a disqualified person; or (ii) a person who has been convicted of a serious offence; and (b) the person applies to become a lay associate of a law practice; and

(c) the person has not told the law practice of the disqualification or conviction. (6) Proceedings for an offence under subsection (5) may only be brought within 6 months after discovery of the offence by the law practice. (7) This section does not apply in circumstances prescribed by lay associate, of a law practice, includes a consultant to the law practice (however described) who— (a) is not an Australian legal practitioner; and (b) provides legal or related services to the law practice, other than services of a kind prescribed by regulation. Note Lay associate is defined for the Act in s 9 (Terms relating to associates and principals of law practices).