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Request for Expressions of Interest

Legal Practice Board

Membership of the Legal Services and Complaints Committee

The Legal Practice Board (Board) is calling for Expressions of interest (EOI) for up to 10 legal practitioners, who are not Board members, who may become members of the Legal Services and Complaints Committee (LSCC).

Respondents to this EOI are to direct any questions regarding this EOI to rdaily@lpbwa.com.
 

Background

On 1 July 2022 the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2022 (WA) (Application Act) commenced, introducing into Western Australia the Legal Profession Uniform Law (WA) (Uniform Law).

The Application Act provides generally that the Board is the designated local regulatory authority in WA for the Uniform Law.

One of the Board’s core activities under the Uniform Law is to receive and assess enquiries and complaints about lawyers, legal practice structures and unqualified legal practice, and to attempt to resolve disputes and conduct investigations and disciplinary processes where appropriate.

The Board has also been given the power to delegate to the LSCC and its staff the powers of dispute resolution and professional discipline under Chapter 5 of the Uniform Law.

The Board determines membership of the LSCC on the basis that the majority of the members of the LSCC are Board members, with a minimum of members being Legal Practitioners, who will not be Board members.  The purpose of this Expression of Interest is to invite legal practitioners who have an interest in becoming a member of the LSCC, to submit an EOI in respect to membership of the LSCC. 
 

Requirements

The commencement of the Uniform Law is a significant milestone in the regulation of the legal profession in Western Australia.

The objectives of the Uniform Law include bringing about consistency between jurisdictions, promoting high ethical and professional standards for the profession, enhancing consumer protection, empowering clients to make informed choices, and promoting regulation that is efficient, effective, targeted and proportionate.

LSCC membership will require a broad range of expertise and experience in legal practice, the provision of legal services, and practice management. A minimum of 10 years post admission experience is expected.

Potential members of the LSCC must have familiarity with the challenges and aspirations of legal practice and the fulfilment of the inherent requirements of a legal practitioner. They should also understand the objectives of the Uniform Law to protect and empower consumers of legal services.

Membership of the LSCC is expected to bring diverse perspectives and leadership to support the Board’s Regulatory Approach.

This EOI is targeting Australian legal practitioners who can provide LSCC membership with:

• Experience across a variety of practice areas including Family Law, Criminal Law, Estate matters, and Personal Injury
• Experience in a small to medium size firm, with individual clients
• Geographical representation
• Gender representation
• Diversity representation

LSCC members are required to participate in their capacity as individuals, rather than as representatives of an organisation.
All members will be required to comply with the Board’s Code of Conduct, position on Conflicts of Interest, and other policies.
 

Submitting an EOI

A brief EOI of no more than two pages should address the requirements sought for membership of the LSCC. A resume may also be included.

Please submit your EOI and resume to shingston@lpbwa.com by COB Friday, 1 September 2023.
 

Workload and Tenure

The LSCC is divided into two divisions, with each division meeting bi-monthly, usually on the last Tuesday of the month, between 1pm and 2pm.

There are no meetings scheduled in January, but out-of-session meetings and full LSCC meetings may be called as required. Meetings will be held in-person at the offices of the Board, by teleconference and videoconference.

The invitation to participate in a specific meeting will include details of how to participate, including time and date, and technical assistance.

Individual members may be allocated a matter to consider out-of-session to address at a meeting.

Legal members of the LSCC hold office for a term specified in the instrument of appointment. Legal members can be reappointed, but are not generally eligible to hold office for more than 6 years in total.
 

Use of the EOI

The Board may retain and use an EOI submitted in response to this call for the purpose of making ongoing appointments to the LSCC or other appointments to the Board, including the filling of a casual vacancy.