New South Wales Consolidated Acts

LEGAL PROFESSION UNIFORM LAW APPLICATION ACT 2014 - SECT 24

24 Functions of NSW Commissioner

(1) The NSW Commissioner has the functions conferred on him or her by or under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) , this Act or any other Act, including by or under the Uniform Rules.

(2) The NSW Commissioner has all the powers necessary to perform his or her functions, including the powers conferred by or under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) , this Act or any other Act, including by or under the Uniform Rules.

(3) Without limitation, the functions of the NSW Commissioner include the following functions--

(a) to assist and advise complainants and potential complainants in making and pursuing complaints (including assisting complainants to clarify their complaints and to put their complaints in writing),

(b) to conduct regular surveys of, and report on, the views and levels of satisfaction of complainants and respondent Australian lawyers with the complaints handling and disciplinary system,

(c) to assist the Bar Council and Law Society Council to promote community education about the regulation and discipline of the legal profession,

(d) to assist the Bar Council and Law Society Council in the enhancement of professional ethics and standards, for example, through liaison with legal educators or directly through research, publications or educational seminars,

(e) to report on the NSW Commissioner's activities under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) or this Act.

(4) The NSW Commissioner may appear by barrister or solicitor before, and be heard by, the Supreme Court in the exercise of the functions of the Supreme Court under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) , this Act or otherwise in relation to Australian lawyers.