Admission in Queensland
Queensland Legal Practitioners Admissions Board (QLPAB)
The Queensland Legal Practitioners Admissions Board (QLPAB) is a statutory body that sets policy, makes rules and administers the requirements leading to admission in the Supreme Court of Queensland.
The QLPAB does not have its own website but you will find some limited information is on the Queensland Courts' website at www.courts.qld.gov.au/ and also on the Queensland Law Society's website at http://www.qls.com.au/content/lwp/wcm/connect/QLS/Home/ .
QLPAB
Level 2
Law Society House
179 Ann Street, Brisbane Qld 4000
Tel: +61 7 3842 5985
Fax: +61 7 3221 7193
Queensland Law Society
The Queensland Law Society is the professional body for practising solicitors in Queensland. It issues practising certificates for solicitors and offers a range of services to its members. Membership is voluntary.
Queensland Law Society
Level 2
179 Ann Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
GPO Box 1785
Brisbane Qld 4001
Tel +61 7 3842 5842
Fax: +61 7 3842 5999
info@qls.com.au
www.qls.com.au
Bar Association of Queensland
The Bar Association is the professional body for practising barristers in Queensland. It issues practising certificates for barristers and a range of services to its members. Membership is voluntary.
Bar Association Office
Level 5
Inns of Court
107 North Quay
BRISBANE Q 4000
Phone: (07) 3238 5100
Fax: (07) 3236 1180
qldbar@qldbar.asn.au
www.qldbar.asn.au
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many admission ceremonies are held each year?
A. Usually about eight or nine admission ceremonies are held each year, with a six or seven week gap in between each one. There are admission ceremonies in Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns on chambers days.
View Admission Dates here
Q. How far in advance does an application for admission required?
A. An application for admission needs to be filed at least 21 days before the admission ceremony. However this is just one of a number of requirements as set out under the next question.
Q. What does an application for admission involve? Where can I access this information?
A. The requirements are set out in the Supreme Court (Legal Practitioner Admission) Rules 2004. It is best that a prospective applicant uses the QLPAB's Admission Kit which sets out in detail what is involved.
In summary, an applicant for admission needs –
• To file an application for admission at the Supreme Court at least 21 days before the date of the admission ceremony. (R.11(1))
• To file a supporting affidavit of compliance at the Supreme Court at least 12 days before the date of the admission ceremony. (R.11(2))
• To display a notice of intention to apply at least 21 days before the ceremony. (R.12)
• To publish a notice of intention to apply at least ten but not more than 28 days before the ceremony. (R.12)
• To give to the LPAB a number of documents at least 21 days before the ceremony. The documents required are set out in R.13(2).
• To give to the LPAB a copy of the affidavit of compliance at least 12 days before the ceremony and to pay the prescribed fee for admission by that date. (R.13(3))
Q. For academic degrees, what are the requirements of the Court?
A. The relevant rule is R. 6. It provides that the tertiary course in law has to be approved by the Chief Justice and the LPAB, that it must be the equivalent of at least three years full time study of law, it must comply with the Priestley 11. The 11 specified ‘areas of knowledge' are –
• Administrative law
• Civil procedure
• Constitutional law (federal and state)
• Contracts
• Company law
• Criminal law and procedures
• Equity (including Trusts)
• Evidence
• Professional conduct (including basic trust accounting)
• Property both real (including Torrens system land) and personal
• Torts
Q. Are interstate or overseas degrees acceptable?
- Interstate: Yes interstate degrees are acceptable. There is no list of accepted courses. Instead the academic transcript of each interstate applicant is scrutinised individually by the QLPAB to ensure the Priestley 11 areas of knowledge have been studied.
- Overseas degrees can be acceptable, but they have to be approved by the QLPAB and meet the minimum requirements set out in R. 6: See R. 8. The University of Queensland assesses academic transcripts on behalf of the QLPAB and recommend what areas of knowledge/subjects are lacking.
Q. Is a person admitted as a legal practitioner, solicitor, barrister or both?
A. A person is admitted as a legal practitioner.
Q. Does a student need to be present at the ceremony?
A. Yes.
Q. Is a mover for the admission required?
A. Yes.
Q. Can the PLT provider assist to arrange a mover for admission?
A. If a student has tried to find a mover for admission and has expended all options, the College may be able to assist by suggesting a practitioner to be contacted. College lecturers are generally not available to move admissions.
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