The Law Society has established a range of special interest committees made up of volunteers with relevant subject matter expertise and experience. Committees support the Law Society’s work in relation to policy, law reform, and education of the profession and the community, and they also provide an opportunity for members to engage and share information with other practitioners.
The Law Society also operates a committee specifically targeting the segment of members that are new to the profession. The New Lawyers Committee provides early career lawyers with an avenue for networking and connection, and the opportunity to contribute to the Society’s work, with a particular focus on support for early career lawyers and the future of the profession.
In addition, the Society has established a regulatory committee, the Professional Standards Committee, which has delegated authority from the Council of the Law Society to perform certain functions under the Legal Profession Act 2006 in relation to complaints about legal practitioners.
At times, the Society also appoints working groups to consider policy issues or projects that do not require the establishment of an ongoing committee.
Click on the links below to learn more about our committees.
Special interest committees
Questions about committees
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How often do committees meet?
Special Interest Committees generally meet between 5 and 10 times per year, and the Young Lawyers Committee meets monthly. The Professional Standards Committee meets on a fortnightly basis, with committee members often having additional responsibilities between meetings. Each committee is attended and supported by a Law Society staff member, who provides both secretarial support and assists the committee to contribute to the Society’s advocacy and educational efforts by undertaking research, preparing draft submissions and information resources, and providing a liaison point with other Law Society staff.
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How do I join a Special Interest Committee?
The Special Interest Committees are not currently taking applications for membership. To enquire about vacancies, please contact committee@actlawsociety.asn.au.
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How do I join a Segment Committee (Government Lawyers or Young Lawyers)?
The Segment Committees are not currently taking applications for membership. To enquire about vacancies, please contact committee@actlawsociety.asn.au.
The Young Lawyers Committee operates under its own Committee Charter, and members are appointed for a one-year term.
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How do I join the Professional Standards Committee ?
The Professional Standards Committee is not currently taking applications for membership. To enquire about vacancies, please contact committee@actlawsociety.asn.au.
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What if my area of interest isn’t covered by existing committees?
Members interested in establishing a special interest committee in an area of practice not already covered should contact the Society in the first instance by emailing committee@actlawsociety.asn.au.
