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Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
is responsible for unnecessarily disadvantaging
another party to the proceeding.
(2) The Supreme Court may make an order for costs
requiring the lawyer or representative to pay a
stated amount to the other party as compensation
for the unnecessary costs.
(3) Before making an order for costs under
subsection (2), the Supreme Court must give the
lawyer or representative a reasonable opportunity
to be heard in relation to making the order.
581PX Costs against intervening parties
(1) If the Attorney-General intervenes in the
proceeding for the State, the Supreme Court may
make an order for costs requiring the State to pay
a stated amount to a party to the proceeding as
compensation for all or a part of the costs
reasonably incurred by the party as a result of the
intervention.
(2) If the Supreme Court gives leave to a person to
intervene in the proceeding, the court may make
an order for costs requiring the person to pay a
stated amount to a party to the proceeding as
compensation for all or a part of the costs
reasonably incurred by the party as a result of the
intervention.
Chapter 6C Provisions about
discipline
applications before
committee
Part 6C.1 Preliminary
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Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
581PY Application of part
This part applies in relation to a proceeding before
the committee for a discipline application.
Part 6C.2 Hearings
Part 6C.3 Conduct of
proceedings
Part 6C.4 Powers of committee
Chapter 6D Particular
proceedings before
Court of Appeal
581QP Definition for chapter
In this chapter—
decision, of the Supreme Court, includes—
(a) an order made by the court; and
(b) an order of the court mentioned in section
459(4); and
(c) a direction given by the court.
581QQ General requirements for appeals against
particular Supreme Court decisions
(1) This section applies in relation to a decision of the
Supreme Court made—
(a) on appeal, from a decision of the bar
association, the board, the committee or the
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
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Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
law society, under a provision of this Act
mentioned in schedule 1, part 1; or
(b) under a provision of this Act mentioned in
schedule 1, part 2.
(2) However, this section applies in relation to a
decision of the Supreme Court subject to sections
581QR and 581QS.
(3) A party who is dissatisfied with the decision, or
the Minister, may appeal to the Court of Appeal
against the decision.
(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.
581QR Appeal against particular decisions only
with leave
(1) This section applies in relation to a decision of the
committee mentioned in section 459(1) that has
become an order of the Supreme Court under
section 459(4).
(2) An appeal to the Court of Appeal against the
decision may be made only with the leave of the
Court of Appeal.
(3) The appeal is by way of rehearing on the evidence
given in the matter before the committee.
(4) However, subsection (3) 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
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
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Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
evidence may be material to the appeal.
581QS Appeal against particular decisions only on
question of law and with leave
(1) This section applies in relation to a decision of the
Supreme Court made on appeal from a decision of
the committee under section 469(1).
(2) An appeal to the Court of Appeal against the
decision may be made only—
(a) on a question of law; and
(b) with the leave of the Court of Appeal.
(3) Section 581QQ(4) does not apply in relation to
the appeal.
(4) The Court of Appeal may give leave to introduce
further evidence, whether fresh, additional or
substituted, if the court considers the further
evidence may be material to the appeal.
53 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.2, hdg (Provisions about
proceedings before tribunal)
Chapter 7, part 7.2, heading—
omit.
54 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.2, div 1 (Constitution of tribunal)
Chapter 7, part 7.2, division 1—
omit.
55 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.2, div 2, hdg (Panels, panel
members and related matters)
Chapter 7, part 7.2, division 2, heading—
omit.
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Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
56 Omission of s 599 (Panel to help the tribunal hear and
decide discipline application)
Section 599—
omit.
57 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 607
(Establishment of panels for helping the tribunal)
(1) Section 607, heading, ‘the tribunal’—
omit, insert—
Supreme Court
(2) Section 607—
relocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and
renumber as section 581PI.
58 Relocation and renumbering of s 608 (Appointment of
panel members)
Section 608—
relocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and
renumber as section 581PJ.
59 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 609
(Remuneration and appointment conditions of panel
members)
(1) Section 609(1), ‘A member of the lay panel’—
omit, insert—
A panel member
(2) Section 609(1), ‘tribunal’—
omit, insert—
Supreme Court
(3) Section 609(2), ‘lay’—
Clause 1
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Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
omit, insert—
panel
(4) Section 609(2), ‘section 610’—
omit, insert—
section 581PL
(5) Section 609(3), from ‘member’ to ‘holds’—
omit, insert—
panel member holds
(6) Section 609—
relocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and
renumber as section 581PK.
60 Relocation and renumbering of s 610 (Termination of
appointment)
Section 610—
relocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and
renumber as section 581PL.
61 Relocation and renumbering of s 611 (Resignation of
members)
Section 611—
relocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and
renumber as section 581PM.
62 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 612
(Disclosure of interests)
(1) Section 612(1), ‘tribunal’, first mention—
omit, insert—
Supreme Court
(2) Section 612(1), ‘tribunal’, second mention—
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Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
omit, insert—
court
(3) Section 612(1)(a)—
omit, insert—
(a) the judge presiding over the proceeding; and
(4) Section 612(2), ‘himself or herself’—
omit, insert—
themself
(5) Section 612(4)—
omit.
(6) Section 612—
relocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and
renumber as section 581PN.
63 Relocation and renumbering of s 613 (Protection of panel
members)
Section 613—
relocate to part 6B.2, division 3, as inserted by this Act, and
renumber as section 581PO.
64 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.3, div 5, hdg (Provisions applying
to committee for hearings)
Chapter 7, part 7.3, division 5, heading—
omit.
65 Relocation and renumbering of s 639 (Constitution of
committee for hearing)
Section 639—
relocate to part 6C.2, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581PZ.
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Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
66 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 640
(Conduct of committee for hearing and deciding
discipline applications)
(1) Section 640(4), ‘section 639(2)’—
omit, insert—
section 581PZ(2)
(2) Section 640—
relocate to part 6C.2, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QA.
67 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 641
(Disclosure of interests)
(1) Section 641(6), from ‘tribunal’ to ‘QCAT Act’—
omit, insert—
Supreme Court
(2) Section 641—
relocate to part 6C.2, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QB.
68 Relocation and renumbering of s 642 (Protection of
members etc.)
Section 642—
relocate to part 6C.2, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QC.
69 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, hdg (Other provisions applying
to committee for discipline applications)
Chapter 7, part 7.4, heading—
omit.
Clause 1
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Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
70 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 1, hdg (Parties to
proceedings before committee)
Chapter 7, part 7.4, division 1, heading—
omit.
71 Relocation and renumbering of s 643 (Parties)
Section 643—
relocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QD.
72 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 2, hdg (Conduct of
proceedings)
Chapter 7, part 7.4, division 2, heading—
omit.
73 Relocation and renumbering of s 644 (Public hearings)
Section 644—
relocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QE.
74 Relocation and renumbering of s 645 (Procedure for
hearing by committee)
Section 645—
relocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QF.
75 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 646
(Recording evidence)
(1) Section 646(2), ‘section 650’—
omit, insert—
Clause 1
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
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Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
section 581QK
(2) Section 646—
relocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QG.
76 Relocation and renumbering of s 647 (Committee may
proceed in absence of party or may adjourn hearing)
Section 647—
relocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QH.
77 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 648 (Matter
may be decided on affidavit evidence)
(1) Section 648(b), ‘if the other party does not appear and’—
omit, insert—
without the written consent of the other party if
(2) Section 648—
relocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QI.
78 Relocation and renumbering of s 649 (Standard of proof)
Section 649—
relocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QJ.
79 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 650
(Prohibited publication about hearing of a disciplinary
application)
(1) Section 650, heading, ‘a disciplinary’—
omit, insert—
discipline
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Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
(2) Section 650—
relocate to part 6C.3, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QK.
80 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 3, hdg (Powers of committee)
Chapter 7, part 7.4, division 3, heading—
omit.
81 Relocation and renumbering of s 651 (Power to disregard
procedural lapses)
Section 651—
relocate to part 6C.4, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QL.
82 Relocation and renumbering of s 652 (Directions for
hearings)
Section 652—
relocate to part 6C.4, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QM.
83 Relocation and renumbering of s 653 (Attendance notice)
Section 653—
relocate to part 6C.4, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QN.
84 Relocation and renumbering of s 654 (Authentication of
documents)
Section 654—
relocate to part 6C.4, as inserted by this Act, and renumber as
section 581QO.
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Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
85 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4, div 4, hdg (Offences)
Chapter 7, part 7.4, division 4, heading—
omit.
86 Relocation and renumbering of ss 655 and 656
Sections 655 and 656—
relocate to part 4.13 and renumber as sections 487A and
487B.
87 Omission of ch 7, pt 7.4A, hdg (Provisions applying to
tribunal for discipline applications)
Chapter 7, part 7.4A, heading—
omit.
88 Omission of s 656A (Application of pt 7.4A)
Section 656A—
omit.
89 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 656B
(Entitlement to appear at hearing)
(1) Section 656B, ‘tribunal’, first mention—
omit, insert—
Supreme Court
(2) Section 656B(b), ‘tribunal’—
omit, insert—
court
(3) Section 656B—
relocate to part 6B.2, division 2, as inserted by this Act, and
renumber as section 581PD.
Clause 1
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Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
90 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 656C
(Standard of proof)
(1) Section 656C(1), ‘tribunal’, first mention—
omit, insert—
Supreme Court
(2) Section 656C(1), ‘tribunal’, second mention—
omit, insert—
court
(3) Section 656C(1), ‘the body is’—
omit.
(4) Section 656C—
relocate to part 6B.2, division 2, as inserted by this Act, and
renumber as section 581PE.
91 Omission of s 656D (Prohibited publication about hearing
of a discipline application)
Section 656D—
omit.
92 Amendment, relocation and renumbering of s 656E
(Power to disregard procedural lapses)
(1) Section 656E(1), ‘tribunal’, first mention—
omit, insert—
Supreme Court
(2) Section 656E(1), ‘tribunal’, second mention—
omit, insert—
court
(3) Section 656E(3), ‘tribunal’s’—
omit, insert—
Clause 1
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Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
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Legal Profession (Strengthening Disciplinary Matters) Amendment Bill 2026
Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
Supreme Court’s
(4) Section 656E—
relocate to part 6B.2, division 2, as inserted by this Act, and
renumber as section 581PF.
93 Insertion of new s 713B
After section 713A—
insert—
713B Intervention by Attorney-General
The Attorney-General may, for the State,
intervene in a proceeding in the Supreme Court
under this Act at any time.
94 Insertion of new ch 8, pt 8.1, div 3
Chapter 8, part 8.1—
insert—
Division 3 Statements of reasons
713C Obtaining statement of reasons
(1) This section applies if—
(a) the bar association, the board or the law
society (each a decision-maker) makes a
decision under this Act; and
(b) a person may appeal to the Supreme Court
against the decision; and
(c) the person has not been given a written
statement of the reasons for the decision.
(2) The person may ask the decision-maker to give
the person a written statement of the reasons for
the decision.
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Part 2 Amendment of Legal Profession Act 2007
(3) The request must—
(a) be in writing, whether in paper or electronic
form; and
(b) be made within 14 days after—
(i) if the person was notified of the
decision—the day the person was
notified; or
(ii) if subparagraph (i) does not apply—the
day the person became aware of the
decision.
(4) The decision-maker must give the person the
statement within a reasonable period of not more
than 28 days after the request is made.
Note—
See the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, section 27B in
relation to the content of the statement.
713D Court order requiring statement of reasons
be given
(1) This section applies if—
(a) under section 713C, a person has asked a
decision-maker for a written statement of
the reasons for a decision; and
(b) the decision-maker has not given the person
the statement under section 713C(4).
(2) The person may apply to the Supreme Court for
an order that the decision-maker give the person
the statement.
(3) If the person applies for an order under
subsection (2), the person must give written
notice of the application to the decision-maker.
(4) If the Supreme Court is satisfied the person is
entitled to receive the statement, the court may
make an order requiring the decision-maker to
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