VICTORIA and New South Wales are forging ahead without the rest of the country in unifying their regulation of legal practitioners under a Legal Services Council.

Under the Legal Profession Uniform Law, due to start in mid-2015, the council will initially provide a single regulatory framework for NSW and Victorian legal practitioners, with the option for other states and territories to join once it begins operating.

The draft operating rules will determine legal practice, costs, education and professional conduct.

“This is another step towards the long-held goal of uniform professional regulation for the Australian legal profession” said Michael Black the Chair Council.

But will the ACT be joining up to this very sensible idea? We’re waiting to see.

A spokesperson for the Attorney-General had this to say:

The Attorney-General supports in principle national uniform law for the legal profession, particularly where there will be flow-on benefits for consumers. As ACT is a small jurisdiction, it is important to consider the cost-benefits of joining the new Uniform Legal Profession Scheme.

The ACT Government will be closely monitoring the implementation of the NSW/Victorian scheme, in consultation with the ACT Law Society and Bar Association, so as to give future consideration as to whether the ACT should join in due course.