Reporting Concerns about a Legal Practitioner

The Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner operates a process for the confidential (and anonymous if preferred) reporting of sexual harassment, discrimination and workplace bullying in the legal profession. There is also the option to speak confidentially, and anonymously if wished, about sexual harassment, discrimination and workplace bullying in the legal profession to an officer appointed by the Commissioner prior to, or instead of, making a formal complaint.

If you are considering making a complaint of inappropriate personal conduct, you can contact the LPCC officer directly for a confidential discussion about the conduct and advice about complaint procedures, alternative options and available resources by calling (08) 7322 7222 or 1800 337 570 (free call) or by sending an email to [email protected].

Inappropriate conduct can also be reported to the LPCC via the Speak Safely online tool. For more information about the Speak Safely tool, please read the LPCC's article in the Bulletin.

Making a Complaint to the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner

Complaints to the Legal Professional Conduct Commissioner must be made in writing, cannot be made anonymously and incur a fee. For more information about the process, please see the Legal Professional Conduct Commissioner's Complaints webpage. The Frequently Asked Questions page provides additional information.

For more information about what constitutes 'misconduct' by a lawyer, please see LPCC | Misconduct.

Online Reporting Tool, Speak Safely

In response to the underreporting of bullying, harassment and discrimination highlighted in the Equal Opportunity Commission report into the legal profession, the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner has launched a free online reporting tool, Speak Safely. The tool allows lawyers, others working in the legal profession and anyone who wants to report inappropriate personal conduct in the legal profession to make anonymous reports, if they do not feel comfortable identifying themselves.

From the Legal Practitioner Conduct Commission's Speak Safely webpage on the key benefits of the tool:

• You can remain anonymous throughout this process or provide contact details if you wish (you can also switch from one to the other as you please before submitting your report).
• There is a ‘quick exit’ button within the reporting tool that you can click to quickly leave the site if you are concerned about someone looking over your shoulder.
• A list of support services is provided if you need assistance or support.
• You can skip any questions to submit your report at any time.
• You can select whether you want to be contacted or not, and your preferred method of communication.
• Anyone can make a report; either the person who experienced the harassment or a third party or witness.
• There is a free text area where you can tell your story in your own words. You can provide as much or as little detail as you feel comfortable.
• If you are not sure what to write, there are some helpful prompts to assist you. You can upload supporting documents and evidence directly into the system.
• You maintain control over how the matter progresses.

If you make a confidential or anonymous report:

• You may decide later to lodge a formal complaint.
• Your matter is finalised but your report may inform education/training or help us monitor hotspots of inappropriate conduct. Your information does not get released without your consent.

Practitioner Support

The Law Society of South Australia offers a variety of services to support Members and all legal practitioners.

These services include the LawCare Counselling Service, advice and support groups, and resources relating to bullying. discrimination and harassment and equality, diversity and inclusion.