Important Dates for Legal Practitioners

The Legal Practitioners Act 1981 and Legal Practitioners Regulations 2014 apply where a reference to the Act or a regulation is made unless otherwise specified.

Pursuant to Section 44(2) of the Legislation Interpretation Act 2021, if an Act or legislative instrument requires or allows a thing to de done but the last day for doing it is a day that is not a business day, then the thing must be done on the next day that is a business day.

Please contact ethicsandpractice@lawsocietysa.asn.au if you have any questions. We are here to help.

31 March

Mandatory Continuing Professional Development

End of the MCPD year. Last date to complete prescribed MCPD units. If you are non-compliant at this date, see the Law Society's Mandatory CPD webpage for further information regarding rectifying MCPD non-compliance.

1 April

Legal Practice Annual Trust Account Signatories Notification

During April of each year, the law practice must give the Society written notice (See our Trust Accounting Forms) of the associates (including their names and addresses) who are authorised as at 31 March of that year – see regulation 33(3)(b).

  • To sign cheques drawn on a general trust account of the practice; or
  • Otherwise to effect, direct or give authority for the withdrawal of money from a general trust account of the practice.

14 April

Mandatory Continuing Professional Development [Lodgement of Compliance Certificate, or Rectification Plan, or Intimation Form]

Last Date to:

See all MCPD-related forms available to you via your Law Society profile page, under the ‘MCPD Compliance’ tab.

31 May

Legal Practitioners Combined Trust Account [CTA Calculation]

End of Combined Trust Account calculation period 1 December to 31 May. See Section 53 of the Act. Law practices with a general trust bank account must complete a CTA calculation (online option) and may be required to make a deposit or lodge a CTA Withholding Notice (online) no later than 14 June. See our Trust Accounting Forms.
31 May Mandatory Continuing Professional Development [Rectification]

Last date to complete rectification of MCPD non-compliance. See your Law Society profile page under the 'MCPD Compliance' tab.
7 June Mandatory Continuing Professional Development [Rectification Submission]

Last date to lodge statutory declaration confirming completion of MCPD rectification. See your Law Society profile page under the 'MCPD Compliance' tab.
14 June Legal Practitioners Combined Trust Account [CTA Deposit or Withholding Due Date]

Last date to make a deposit to the Legal Practitioners Combined Trust Account or lodge an online CTA Notice of Withholding for the CTA calculation period 1 December to 31 May. Refer to Section 53 of the Act. See our Trust Accounting Forms.
30 June End of Financial Year Obligations for all Law Practices – Statement Regarding the Receipt or Holding of Trust Money

Complete the online Statement Regarding Receipt or Holding of Trust Money. This applies to all law practices regardless of whether a trust bank account is maintained, or other trust money has been received or held. If directed in the Statement, send the Statement to your appointed External Examiner no later than 31 August. See our Trust Accounting Forms.

If applicable (per completion of Statement AB), book a date to have the law practice accounts and records externally examined as quickly as possible. Give the examiner sufficient time in which to conduct the examination, prepare the report, and submit same to the Society no later than 31 October.

30 June Practicing Certificates, PI Insurance, and Law Society Membership [Expiration]

Expiration of Practising Certificates, PI Insurance and Law Society Membership.
Law practices that are exempt from the PII Scheme must submit their Currency of Insurance for the proceeding policy year.
1 July Practicing Certificates, PI Insurance, and Law Society Membership [Commencement]

Commencement of new Practising Certificates, PI Insurance and Law Society Membership.
1 July Trust Account Statements

During July, provide clients with trust account statements unless exemptions apply pursuant to regulation 40(7).
31 August Low Income Sole Practitioner Obligations [Declaration]

Last date to submit Low Income Sole Practitioner Declaration in respect of taxable income for the sole practice in respect of the previous financial year. See our Insurance Forms.
31 August End of Financial Year Obligations for all Law Practices – Statement Regarding the Receipt or Holding of Trust Money

Last date on which to complete and submit the Statement Regarding the Receipt or Holding of Trust Money to the Society or to your External Examiner as directed in the Statement. See our Trust Accounting Forms.
31 October External Examination of Accounts and Records 

Last date for External Examiners to submit law practice External Examination Reports to the Society for the financial year ended 30 June. See our Trust Accounting Forms.
30 November                   Legal Practitioners Combined Trust Account [CTA Calculation]

End of Combined Trust Account calculation period 1 June to 30 November. See Section 53 of the Act. Law practices with a general trust bank account must complete a CTA calculation (online option) and may be required to make a deposit or lodge a CTA Notice of Withholding (online) no later than 14 December. See our Trust Accounting Forms.
1 December PII Scheme Exemption

During December law practices that are exempt from the PII Scheme must submit their Application for Exemption for the proceeding policy year.  All exempt law practices will be contacted annually regarding re-application.
14 December Legal Practitioners Combined Trust Account [CTA Deposit or Withholding Due Date]

Last date on which to make a deposit to the Legal Practitioners Combined Trust Account or lodge an online CTA Notice of Withholding for the CTA calculation period 1 June to 30 November. Refer to Section 53 of the Act. See our Trust Accounting Forms.