All complaints regarding the conduct of a legal practitioner or the provision of legal services are to be made directly to the Legal Services Commissioner. The Commissioner handles two types of complaints; civil disputes in relation to legal costs up to $25,000, pecuniary losses due to acts or omissions by legal pracititoners, disciplinary complaints which may amount to unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct and fidelity fund claims. The Commissioner may also refer the investigation of a complaint or attempted settlement of a dispute to the Law Insitute of Victoria or the Victorian Bar.
The Supreme Court has inherent jurisdiction to discipline interstate legal practitioners.
Regulatory Authority
The Legal Services Board replaces the Legal Practice Board and is responsible for administrating the regulation of the legal system in Victoria.
See also Legal Profession Act 2004, Part 4.3 s4.3.15 - Resolution of Civil Disputes by the Tribunal and Part 4.4, Division 4 - Proceedings in the Tribunal
See Legal Profession Act 2004, Part 4.4 s4.4.17 - the Tribunal may make an order recommending to the Supreme Court that the names of the practitioner be removed from the local Roll.
