Legal Professional Conduct Rules - Law Council of Australia and Australian Bar Association
The Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules are model rules published by the Law Council and adopted by professional associations. They provide that a solicitor must not, in the course of practice, engage in conduct which constitutes discrimination, sexual harassment or workplace bullying. The Rules have been adopted in South Australia, Queensland and the ACT, and have been adopted in NSW and Victoria as the Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules 2015.
Similarly, the Australian Bar Association developed the Legal Profession Uniform Conduct (Barristers) Rule 2015, which prohibits sexual harassment, and which have been adopted in NSW and Victoria.
These professional conduct rules are, in effect, codes of conduct which bind Australian legal practitioners and have consequences in the case of a breach. However, the rules have not been adopted in all jurisdictions in Australia.