Professional Conduct & Discipline

Few things are more stressful than facing a professional disciplinary complaint or investigation. One of the most important things is to have the right people with the right experience and expertise on your side from the outset. Our Professional Conduct & Discipline team appreciate the personal toll and reputational issues associated with dealing with professional conduct and disciplinary matters and are also highly experienced on the legal aspects and strategies. They will assist you to obtain the best possible outcome.

Getting advice early

The way issues are handled at the outset can affect how they progress and are ultimately resolved. We proactively work to mitigate issues before they escalate.

Whether you are responding to a complaint, disclosure or show cause event, or responsible for managing one, early advice can assist in clarifying the issues and setting an appropriate course.

Who we help

We represent professionals from a wide range of industries in relation to their professional responsibilities, including:

Solicitors and Barristers in all States where the Legal Profession Uniform Law applies (currently NSW, VIC, WA) and Solicitors in the ACT in relation to consumer and disciplinary complaints, disclosures, show cause events, suspensions and disciplinary proceedings.
Registered Migration Agents in relation to complaints and disciplinary matters being investigated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) in relation to disclosures, disciplinary complaints, investigations and related hearings with CPA Australia.
Chartered Accountants (CA) in relation to disclosures, disciplinary complaints, investigations and related hearings with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).
Registered Tax Agents in relation to disclosures to and investigations by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB).
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Registered Agents, Registered Company Auditors, Financial Advisers and other finance professionals in relation to their obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 and their regulation by ASIC.
Veterinary Practitioners in relation to complaints to and investigations by the Veterinary Practitioners Board and related disciplinary proceedings.
Developers, builders, strata managers, contractors and other construction industry professionals in relation to investigations, notices to show cause, disciplinary action, licence suspensions, cancellations and related proceedings involving Building Commission NSW and NSW Fair Trading.
Athletes and sporting professionals in relation to disciplinary complaints, investigations, code of conduct matters and disciplinary proceedings before sporting and professional sporting bodies.
Other professionals in relation to disciplinary processes and show cause events within their professional associations.

We can:

Help you understand your rights and obligations in a disciplinary complaint matter, show cause event, formal investigation or inquiry.
Represent and support you in a complaint, investigation or disciplinary process.
Provide clear and frank legal advice on evidence and potential outcomes.
Help devise and implement strategies to protect your reputation and mitigate risk.
Advise on risk management procedures and policies, including legal, ethical and practical requirements to minimise exposure to future complaints or disciplinary action.