Legal Practictioners Conduct Board

What is the Legal Practitioners Conduct Board?

It is created under the Legal Practitioners Act 1981. It is a completely independent body from the Law Society of South Australia.
The office is at a separate address from the Law Society at Level 3, 33 Franklin Street, Adelaide.
It comprises seven members; four lawyers and three lay persons.

Current membership and staff of the Board

The staff of the Board include:

a Director who is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Board.
5 Full time solicitor's positions
An Enquiry & Information Officer is employed part-time to answer telephone enquiries and provide information to callers.
Administrative staff who support the work of the Board

Any contact with the Board should be through the Board's staff or its Director.

Click here for contact details.

What are the functions of the Board?

To investigate suspected misconduct and to take certain action in relation to a finding of "unprofessional conduct" or "unsatisfactory conduct". (See definitions in section 5 of the Legal Practitioners Act 1981).
To deal with overcharging complaints.
To conciliate - many of the matters which are conciliated relate to costs and/or customer service issues.

Can the Board give me ethical advice?

No. Practitioners should be aware that if they wish to seek rulings or advice on ethical issues then they should contact the Professional Standards section of the Law Society of South Australia.

However the staff of the Board are happy to outline the complaints process and workings of the Board to any member of the profession or general public who makes an enquiry.

The Board does not give ethical advice in order that its role in impartially investigating any complaints it may receive is not compromised by having given advice to legal practitioners. Similarly, it does not give legal advice to complainants.