The Queensland Solicitors' Rule

The Solicitors Rule 2007 (the Legal Profession (Solicitors) Rule 2007) contains most of the rules governing Queensland solicitors’ professional conduct and practice.  It is a comprehensive statement of solicitors’ duties - to their clients, the courts, other lawyers and third parties - but it is not a complete code of conduct.  There are also common law (case law) rules setting out the ethical standards that are expected of practising solicitors. 

The Solicitors Rule 2007 is based on the Law Council of Australia's Model Rules of Professional Conduct and Practice (March 2002).

Breach of any of these rules may result in disciplinary action by the Legal Services Commission.

The Legal Profession Act 2007 and the Legal Profession Regulation 2007 also govern legal practice in Queensland for solicitors and barristers.

All this legislation came into force on 1 July 2007.

NOTE: As part of the National Legal Profession Reform process the Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules will come into force in Queensland on 1 June 2012.  (The Legal Profession Act and Regulations will not change).

Queensland barristers have their own rules, the 2011 Barristers' Rule.

Queensland Law Society members may obtain free and confidential guidance on these provisions and solicitors' ethics from the QLS Ethics Centre - phone: 3842 5843 or email: ethics@qls.com.au