278Immediate suspension of practising or registration certificate

278 Immediate suspension of practising or registration certificate

278 Immediate suspension of practising or registration certificate

(1) The designated local regulatory authority may recommend that an Australian practising certificate or Australian registration certificate be immediately suspended if—

(a) a complaint has been made about the conduct of an Australian legal practitioner, Australian-registered foreign lawyer or law practice; and

(b) the designated local regulatory authority considers the immediate suspension of the certificate is warranted in the public interest on the ground of the seriousness of the alleged conduct.

(2) The designated local regulatory authority may make the recommendation whether or not an investigation of the complaint has begun or been completed.

(3) The making of the recommendation does not prevent the designated local regulatory authority from continuing to deal with the complaint.

Note

Section 82 provides that in these circumstances a designated local regulatory authority may suspend the certificate.