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Australia - Tasmania International Trade in Legal Services

Australia - Tasmania International Trade in Legal Services

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HOME COUNTRY LICENSING QUESTIONS

Is there legislation governing the legal sector Legal Profession Act 2007:  http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au/tocview/index.w3p;cond=;doc_id=24%2B%2B2007%2BAT%40EN%2B20090113120000;histon=;prompt=;rec=;term
 
Under what title do lawyers practise?

Barrister, Solicitor, Legal Practitioner, lawyer.

How does an individual lawyer obtain a "licence" to practise law? How often must this be renewed?
See information for Australia

Does this entitle the holder to practise throughout the country? If the law license only permits one to practice on a sub-national level, please explain the jurisdictional limits

See information for Australia

 

 
Are there certain activities that are "reserved" to those who are licensed to practise law in the jurisdiction?

Appearing in court or advising on the law of Tasmina.
Do you need to hold local nationality to be eligible to practise law?

No
What legal forms can lawyers work in? (e.g. self employment, partnership, limited liability partnership, multi-disciplinary partnership, incorporation)

Sole practitioner, partnerships, incorporated legal practices, multi-disciplinary partnerships

What other ethical or regulatory requirements must a licensed lawyer comply with? 

Rules of Practice 1994: 

http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au/tocview/content.w3p;cond=;

doc_id=+229+1994+AT@EN+20050901000000;histon=N;prompt=;rec=0;term
 

Do law firms need to receive a "license" (or permission/approval) to practice law?

The Law Society of Tasmania must be informed of a firm’s intention to practise law.

Which authority issues licences? Are there different authorities for individuals and firms? 
   

INDIVIDUAL FOREIGN LAWYERS

Are there any explicit rules or restrictions other than visas on fly in fly out practice of law? Ie. Do you need to obtain a licence for temporary practice?

 See information for Australia
Can a foreign lawyer obtain a visa to visit clients or to market but not to practice?

See information for Australia
Can a foreign lawyer obtain a licence to establish and practise as a foreign legal consultant and what is the scope of this limited licence?

A foreign lawyer can obtain a limited licence entitling them to offer advisory services in foreign and international law (i.e. become a foreign legal consultant).
The relevant legislation is the Legal Profession Act 2007 (TAS) – Part 2.6, Legal practice by foreign lawyers and the Legal Profession Regulation 2008 (TAS) – Part 2, Division 4, and Legal practice: foreign lawyers.
Are there any conditions that must be fulfilled once a foreign lawyer has been granted a limited licence (e.g. residency requirement)

Once a licence has been granted, there are ongoing requirements: the licence holder must not hold a license to practise foreign law in any other state or territory, must notify the Law Society as soon as practicable every time practice details change and must notify the Law Society within 7 days if they are charged with a serious offence.
Are there any conditions that must be fulfilled for a foreign lawyer to qualify for a limited licence? (e.g. prior practice)

The requirements that must be met to qualify for a limited licence are set out in sections Part 2.6 of the Legal Profession Act
Are foreign lawyers permitted to undertake arbitration and mediation? Yes
Are foreign lawyers allowed to appear in court under any circumstances? Yes. Under limited circumstances.  See information for Australia.
Can foreign lawyers requalify as local lawyers? Yes - information for Australia

FOREIGN LAW FIRMS

Can a foreign law firm obtain a licence to open an office?

Foreign firms are permitted to establish a commercial presence (a permanent office) to offer advisory services in foreign and international law.
Foreign firms which employ an Australian Legal Practitioner Director, may practise Australian law subject to several conditions imposed by legislation.
Even if a foreign law firm does not require a legal licence must they register in some form in order to set up an office? (e.g. with a ministry of company affairs etc)

See information for Australia
Are there different types of foreign law firm 'licence'  (e.g. Joint Law Venture, stand alone foreign licence etc) No
Is there a quota on the number of licences available? No
Are there geographical restrictions on foreign firm licences or on the number of branches a foreign firm can have? No
Are there "scope of practice" rules that apply directly to foreign law firms (as opposed to lawyers themselves)? (e.g. home, host, international law), if so, what are they?

Foreign firms may offer advisory services in foreign and international law.
Are there restrictions on the corporate form a foreign law firm can take? Not applicable
Are there rules about the name a foreign law firm can take? There are specific rules in relation to use of names by lawyers or law firms.
Foreign lawyers and firms are treated differently from local lawyers in the application of these rules.
What entity grants a 'license' to a foreign law firm? If that entity is on the Internet, please provide the URL There is no explicit foreign law firm licensing regime which regulates these arrangements.
   

EMPLOYMENT AND PARTNERSHIP

Are there restrictions on the ownership share of foreign lawyers in a law firm? See information for Australia
May a domestic lawyer be employed by a foreign lawyer or law firm? Yes
Can a domestic lawyer enter into partnership with a foreign lawyer? Yes
Can a domestic lawyer or domestic law firm employ a foreign lawyer? Yes
   

OTHER USEFUL LINKS/SOURCES

Other useful sources or comments or links

Law Society of Tasmania: http://www.taslawsociety.asn.au/
Tasmanian Independent Bar: http://www.tasmanianbar.com.au/

Verified by

 Law Council of Australia (November 2013)   www.lawcouncil.asn.au