About the Society

The Law Society of Tasmania is a peak industry and statutory body that has two major functions. The first is to regulate legal practice in the State of Tasmania. The second is to provide services to its members to assist in maintaining high standards of practice in the legal profession in Tasmania. This Society represents and upholds the independence of the Tasmanian legal profession, and advocates for a fair and just legal system for all Tasmanians. It provides professional services, resources, support and benefits to its members and the legal profession in general. This Society, as a constituent body of the Law Council of Australia, has been supportive of the development of a truly national legal profession for Australia.

The Changing Profession – There have been dramatic change in the legal profession in Tasmania over the past decade. The Society in Tasmania, for its part, has supported steps which has resulted in increased competition in the legal profession, advertising and lower fees, whilst encouraging delivery of high quality legal services through the adoption of new work practices. The services offered to Society members are designed to assist the provision of timely and effective delivery of legal services. Hence, the Society focusses on areas such as education, indemnity insurance and risk management. The Society also provides a counselling service to members and a range of other personal and practice related benefits. Governance is provided by the Society’s Council and Executive.

The Council of the Law Society in Tasmania is the supreme decision-making forum of this State’s Society. It is assisted in its deliberations by a number of Committees comprised of Council and Society members. Matters commonly considered by Council include:

  • Items related to property and broader financial positioning of the Society.
  • Activities of the Society and member services and benefits.
  • Applications for practising certificates and practising certificate renewals.
  • Issues affecting individual practices and compliance with rules and regulations relating to practice; external intervention as required.
  • Policy and law reform issues affecting the profession and/or relevant to the rule of law.
  • Law Council of Australia updates.
  • Practice Guidelines and audits.
  • General governance, strategic planning.
  • Committee establishment and oversight; and, appointment of committee members and committee chairs.