2026
A Bill
for
An Act to amend the Legal Profession Act 2007 and the
legislation mentioned in schedule 1 for particular purposes
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 1]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 1 Preliminary
The Parliament of Queensland enacts—
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Legal Profession (Strengthening
Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Act 2026.
2 Commencement
This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.
Part 2 Amendment of Legal
Profession Act 2007
3 Act amended
This part amends the Legal Profession Act 2007.
Note—
See also the amendments in schedule 1.
4 Amendment of s 10 (Information notices)
(1) Section 10(1)—
omit, insert—
(1) An information notice is a written notice to a
person about a decision relating to the person
stating—
(a) the decision; and
(b) the reasons for the decision; and
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 5]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
(c) if the person may appeal to the Supreme
Court or another court against the
decision—
(i) that the person may appeal to the court
against the decision; and
(ii) the day by which the appeal must be
started.
Note—
See sections 265(4) and 277(4) in relation to
appeals that may, in the circumstances, be made to
a court other than the Supreme Court.
(2) Section 10(3), ‘apply for a review, or appeal,’—
omit, insert—
appeal
(3) Section 10(3), ‘to apply for review or’—
omit.
5 Amendment of s 26 (Associates who are disqualified or
convicted persons)
Section 26(4)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
6 Amendment of s 29 (Definitions for pt 2.3)
(1) Section 29, definition Supreme Court, paragraph (a), ‘a single
Supreme Court judge’—
omit, insert—
a single judge of the Supreme Court
(2) Section 29, definition Supreme Court, after paragraph (a)—
insert—
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 7]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
(aa) for giving a direction mentioned in section
32(3)(b)—a single judge of the Supreme
Court; or
(ab) for deciding an appeal made under section
33A—a single judge of the Supreme Court;
or
(3) Section 29, definition Supreme Court, paragraphs (aa) to
(b)—
renumber as paragraphs (b) to (d).
7 Amendment of s 32 (Early consideration of suitability)
(1) Section 32(3)(b), ‘tribunal’—
omit, insert—
Supreme Court
(2) Section 32—
insert—
(3A) If an application is referred to the Supreme Court
under subsection (3)(b), the court may give a
direction to the board as the court considers
appropriate.
(3) Section 32(4), ‘mentioned in subsection (3)(b)’—
omit, insert—
given under subsection (4)
(4) Section 32(5)—
omit.
(5) Section 32(3A) and (4)—
renumber as section 32(4) and (5).
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 8]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
8 Replacement of s 33 (Involvement of tribunal and
Supreme Court)
Section 33—
omit, insert—
33 Appeal to Court of Appeal against board’s
refusal to make suitability declaration
(1) This section applies if, on referral of an
application under section 32(3)(b), the Supreme
Court directs the board to refuse to make a
declaration mentioned in section 32(2).
(2) The board must give the applicant for the
declaration an information notice about the
refusal.
(3) The applicant may, within 28 days after being
given the information notice, appeal to the Court
of Appeal against the refusal.
(4) The appeal is by way of rehearing on the evidence
given in the matter before the Supreme Court.
(5) However, subsection (4) does not prevent the
Court of Appeal from giving leave to introduce
further evidence, whether fresh, additional or
substituted, if the court considers the further
evidence may be material to the appeal.
(6) The Court of Appeal may make any order it
considers appropriate on the appeal.
(7) For the appeal, section 10(1) applies to the
information notice as if the reference in the
provision to the decision were a reference to the
refusal mentioned in subsection (1).
33A Appeal to Supreme Court against board’s
refusal to make suitability declaration
(1) This section applies if the board decides under
section 32(3)(c) to refuse to make a declaration
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 9]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
mentioned in section 32(2).
(2) The board must give the applicant for the
declaration an information notice about the
decision.
(3) The applicant may appeal to the Supreme Court
against the decision.
9 Amendment of s 46 (Suitability to hold local practising
certificate)
Section 46(2)(d)(i), ‘Supreme Court’—
omit, insert—
former disciplinary body
10 Amendment of s 51 (Grant or renewal of local practising
certificate)
Section 51(9), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
11 Amendment of s 54 (Applications relating to conditions)
(1) Section 54(2)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
(2) Section 54(4)(b), from ‘may’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
may appeal to the Supreme Court against the
decision
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 12]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
12 Amendment of s 61 (Amending, suspending or cancelling
a local practising certificate)
Section 61(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
13 Amendment of s 62 (Operation of amendment,
suspension or cancellation of local practising certificate)
Section 62(3)(a), from ‘the tribunal’ to ‘QCAT Act,’—
omit, insert—
the Supreme Court may, on application by the
certificate holder,
14 Amendment of s 63 (Immediate amendment or
suspension of local practising certificate)
(1) Section 63(9)(a), from ‘apply’ to ‘tribunal’—
omit, insert—
apply to the Supreme Court
(2) Section 63(9)(b), ‘tribunal’—
omit, insert—
court
(3) Section 63(9)(b), ‘tribunal’s’—
omit, insert—
court’s
15 Amendment of s 69 (Refusal, amendment, suspension or
cancellation of local practising certificate because of
failure to show cause)
Section 69(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 16]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
16 Amendment of s 70 (Restriction on making further
application)
(1) Section 70(3), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
(2) Section 70(4)(a), ‘application for review of’—
omit, insert—
appeal against
17 Amendment of s 76 (Additional condition on interstate
legal practitioner engaging in legal practice in this
jurisdiction)
Section 76(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
18 Amendment of s 87 (Health assessment)
Section 87(5), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
19 Amendment of s 98 (Law society and bar association to
notify other jurisdictions about particular matters)
(1) Section 98(1)(b), from ‘an application’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
an appeal to the Supreme Court against a decision
(2) Section 98(2) and (3)(b)(ii), ‘review’—
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 20]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
omit, insert—
appeal
20 Amendment of s 183 (Grant or renewal of local
registration)
Section 183(4)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
21 Amendment of s 185 (Refusal to grant or renew
registration)
(1) Section 185(2)(c), ‘a disciplinary body’—
omit, insert—
a disciplinary body, the former disciplinary body
(2) Section 185(7)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
22 Amendment of s 188 (Amending, suspending or
cancelling registration)
Section 188(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
23 Amendment of s 189 (Operation of amendment,
suspension or cancellation of registration)
Section 189(3)(a), from ‘the tribunal’ to ‘QCAT Act,’—
omit, insert—
the Supreme Court may, on application by the
person,
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 24]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
24 Amendment of s 194 (Refusal, amendment, suspension
or cancellation of local registration—failure to show
cause)
Section 194(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
25 Amendment of s 195 (Restriction on making further
applications)
Section 195(3)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
26 Amendment of s 197 (Immediate suspension of
registration)
(1) Section 197(8)(a), from ‘apply’ to ‘tribunal’—
omit, insert—
apply to the Supreme Court
(2) Section 197(8)(b), ‘tribunal’—
omit, insert—
court
(3) Section 197(8)(b), ‘tribunal’s’—
omit, insert—
court’s
27 Amendment of s 208 (Additional conditions on practice
of interstate-registered foreign lawyers)
Section 208(4)(b), from ‘apply’ to ‘decision’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 28]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
28 Amendment of s 278 (Disqualification of person as
external examiner)
(1) Section 278(2), (3) and (4), ‘information notice’—
omit, insert—
QCAT information notice
(2) Section 278—
insert—
(7) A defect in the QCAT information notice does not
affect the individual’s right to apply under
subsection (6) for a review of the decision to
disqualify the individual.
(8) In this section—
QCAT information notice means a notice
complying with the QCAT Act, section 157(2).
29 Amendment of s 328 (Setting aside costs agreements)
Section 328—
insert—
(1B) For a proceeding on an application to the tribunal,
the tribunal is to be constituted by a legally
qualified member under the QCAT Act.
30 Amendment of s 375 (Time limit for making claims)
(1) Section 375(1)(b) and (c)—
omit, insert—
(b) within a further period, if any, allowed by
the law society under subsection (2); or
(c) within a further period, if any, allowed by
the Supreme Court under subsection (4).
(2) Section 375—
insert—
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 31]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
(1A) The law society may allow a further period for
making a claim on its own initiative or if asked by
the prospective claimant.
(1B) If, on request by the prospective claimant, the law
society decides to refuse to allow a further period
for making a claim—
(a) the law society must give the prospective
claimant an information notice about the
decision; and
(b) the prospective claimant may appeal to the
Supreme Court against the decision.
(1C) The Supreme Court may, on an appeal mentioned
in subsection (3)(b), allow a further period for
making the claim.
(3) Section 375(2), from ‘The tribunal’ to ‘subsection (1)’—
omit, insert—
The law society or the Supreme Court may allow
a further period mentioned in subsection (2) or (4)
(4) Section 375(2)(b), ‘the tribunal or law society’—
omit, insert—
the law society or the court
(5) Section 375(1A) to (2)—
renumber as section 375(2) to (5).
31 Amendment of s 377 (Time limit for making claims
following advertisement)
(1) Section 377(2)(b) and (c)—
omit, insert—
(b) within a further period, if any, allowed by
the law society under subsection (4); or
(c) within a further period, if any, allowed by
the Supreme Court under subsection (6).
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 32]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
(2) Section 377—
insert—
(3A) The law society may allow a further period for
making a claim on its own initiative or if asked by
a prospective claimant.
(3B) If, on request by a prospective claimant, the law
society decides to refuse to allow a further period
for making a claim—
(a) the law society must give the prospective
claimant an information notice about the
decision; and
(b) the prospective claimant may appeal to the
Supreme Court against the decision.
(3C) The Supreme Court may, on an appeal mentioned
in subsection (5)(b), allow a further period for
making the claim.
(3) Section 377(4), from ‘The tribunal’ to ‘subsection (2)’—
omit, insert—
The law society or the Supreme Court may allow
a further period mentioned in subsection (4) or (6)
(4) Section 377(4)(b), ‘the tribunal or law society’—
omit, insert—
the law society or the court
(5) Section 377(3A) to (4)—
renumber as section 377(4) to (7).
32 Replacement of ch 3, pt 3.6, div 7, hdg (Review)
Chapter 3, part 3.6, division 7, heading—
omit, insert—
Division 7 Appeals
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
[s 33]
Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
33 Amendment of s 392 (Review of decision on claim)
(1) Section 392, heading, ‘Review of’—
omit, insert—
Appeal against
(2) Section 392(1), from ‘apply’ to ‘review of’—
omit, insert—
appeal to the Supreme Court against
(3) Section 392(2), from ‘an application’ to ‘(review
application)’—
omit, insert—
an appeal under this section
(4) Section 392(2)(a), ‘applicant’—
omit, insert—
appellant
(5) Section 392(2)(b), from ‘the tribunal’ to ‘review
application’—
omit, insert—
the Supreme Court may, on application by the law
society, stay the appeal
34 Amendment of s 393 (Review of failure to decide claim
within 1 year)
(1) Section 393, heading—
omit, insert—
393 Application for direction and order for failure
to decide claim
(2) Section 393(1) and (2)—
omit, insert—
(1) This section applies if the law society fails to
decide a claim within 1 year after the claim was
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