Thinking Of Starting Your Own Legal Practice In NSW?
Do Not Skip This Critical Step - Supervised Legal Practice
Many lawyers (in particular mature age ones) reach a point of independence in the form of wanting to go out and practise solo, and that’s understandable, but the two-year supervised practice requirement in NSW often catches people off guard.
If you’re thinking about going out solo in NSW as a lawyer, there are a few important compliance and regulatory issues worth considering sooner rather than later before you can hang up that shingle.
One of these is - you’ll need the right practising certificate.
The one you received on admission isn’t enough.
An Australian practising certificate granted in NSW is subject to conditions imposed under the legal profession legislation.
Supervised Legal Practice In NSW
Critically, a holder cannot engage in legal practice as a sole practitioner or as the sole principal of an incorporated or unincorporated legal practice, or of a community legal service, if their certificate is subject to Condition 2 (supervised legal practice) or any discretionary condition requiring supervision.
This comes down to supervised legal practice, which runs for either 18 months or 2 years depending on whether you completed articles (or their equivalent) or PLT.
Check Before You Leap - Talk To The Law Society
It’s also very wise to confirm your individual position with the Law Society’s Regulatory Compliance Support Unit before you take steps towards operating as a sole practitioner.
Of course, there are many other factors to plan for when starting out, but without the right practising certificate, you won’t be able to move forward.
Planning Your Next Move To A Solo Legal Practice
If you’d like to discuss coaching for starting your own law practice within the next year or two, get in touch.
We can set up an initial planning session to map out the process properly and start execution on the right foot.
Book a free initial chat here.
Also here is a useful link if you want to know more about the specifics of supervised legal practice from the Law Society of NSW.
