Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (15:08): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney-General inform the house about added protections for consumers of legal services following the establishment of the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his question. Yes, I can provide the house with some information. As of 1 July 2014, the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner will replace what was the Legal Practitioners Conduct Board as South Australia's regulatory body for lawyers.

The Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner is the state government's response to address concerns about the regulation of the state's legal industry. The new commissioner represents a robust regulatory system for legal practitioners in the state that will protect consumers. The commissioner has a range of tough but flexible powers at his disposal to deal with complaints and matters of misconduct, while consumers will have enhanced protection measures.

A feature of the new body will be a public register of lawyers who have been disciplined by the commissioner. A great deal of work went into creating a system that is well defined, accountable, transparent, and fair for legal practitioners and members of the community who use their services. The commissioner will provide a process whereby people can lodge complaints either about conduct or overcharging as well as providing confidential conciliation services to assist in resolving complaints and investigating complaints. The commissioner will take disciplinary action in cases where misconduct has occurred.

Mr Greg May was appointed to the role of Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner earlier this year. Mr May brings nearly 30 years' experience as a legal practitioner into the role. In his new role, Mr May will provide a sturdy pathway for complaints against misconduct of legal practitioners. The new commissioner will ensure that the community will have confidence that matters of legal misconduct will be handled fairly and efficiently.

Although cases of misconduct among the legal profession are rare, engaging the services of lawyers can be daunting to some people. The implementation of the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner will allow consumers to approach the legal profession with confidence.