Foreign Trained Lawyers
Admission to the legal profession in Tasmania is by application to the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
The statutory requirements for admission are set out in Part 2.2 of the Legal Profession Act 2007.
General information about the process for admission in Tasmania can be found on the Supreme Court of Tasmania website here. Information about the fees charged by the Supreme Court for an application are found here.
Enquiries about admission applications should be directed to the Registry of the Supreme Court of Tasmania, GPO Box 167, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, or call
Assessment of Qualifications for Admission
Before applying for admission, it is necessary for a foreign trained lawyer to have their academic qualifications, practical legal training and (if applicable) experience assessed.
The Board of Legal Education (BLE) is responsible for assessing the qualifications of overseas applicants for admission. The academic and practical legal training requirements for admission are set out in the Legal Profession (Board of Legal Education) Rules 2021.
The Uniform Principles for Assessing Qualifications of Overseas Applicants for Admission to the Australian Legal Profession guides the assessment process. It may assist you to read them.
The Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) conducts an initial assessment on behalf of the Board of Legal Education (BLE). Applications for assessment by VLAB are to be made through the VLAB portal here.
The VLAB Guide for Applicants for Overseas Assessments can be found here.
During the online application you will be asked whether the assessment is for admission in Tasmania.
The assessment is sent directly to the BLE.
Once you have completed the application for assessment, in order for the BLE to consider your application, you will be required to:
- Write to the BLE applying for directions pursuant to Rule 21 of the Legal Profession (Board of Legal Education) Rules 2021.
- Provide an affidavit that confirms:
–That you requested that the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) assess your academic qualifications and practical legal training.
– That the information provided by you to VLAB is true in every respect.
– Whether you have applied for admission in any other Australian jurisdiction and if you have, the result of the application.
It is not necessary to attach any documents which have already been provided to VLAB.
Fees
Assessment fees are collected by VLAB on behalf of the BLE. No further fees are payable other than those paid to VLAB.
Contacting the BLE
28 Murray Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000
info@lst.org.au