Practice Management
LPLC sees that better practice management lessens the risk of claims. Each person in every function of a legal practice has a role to play in managing risk.
News
What’s changing at the LPLC — and why it matters
The LPLC is changing the way we engage with the profession. We are looking to improve our services and how we provide support. As we mark 40 years of service, our purpose remains unchanged: giving peace of mind to the legal profession and the community.
What is evolving is how we listen, how we use evidence and insights, and how we design services that better reflect the needs of Victorian legal practitioners and national firms.
We are investing in better digital tools, simpler processes and more opportunities for practitioners and firms to contribute ideas, provide feedback and to share their experiences. These changes are intended to make it easier to access practical support, share your perspective and see how your insights help shape future improvements.
I look forward to sharing updates as this work progresses and to working with the profession.
Mary Maini
Chief Executive Officer
Resources and information
Resources and information to support firms and practitioners to manage their legal practice. Including LPLC's file note template, a risk management audit checklist and useful links to legal peak bodies in Victoria and The Uniform Law.
Engagement/retainer management
Engagement management is about choosing the right client and the right matter at the right time, and then properly scoping and documenting the retainer. We see claims where firms fail to do these things or they fail to manage the client’s expectations to the retainer or recognise when the retainer has changed.
Professional Responsibility
Legal practices involves ethical decision making and complying with professional responsibilities to the courts, clients and the rule of law. Failing to get these things right can not only lead to misconduct complaints but can also result in professional indemnity claims.
Verification of Identity
Practitioners must take reasonable steps to verify the identity (VOI) of their clients both to avoid claims and comply with common law obligations and Victoria's electronic conveyancing Participation Rules. To help practitioners understand the importance of VOI and manage their roles and obligations LPLC has developed a range of resources and information.
Supervision
Poor or no supervision often coupled with ineffective delegation are the underlying causes of many claims. The benefits of effective supervision include better trained staff able to do more complex work, less errors and improved professional reputation and happier healthy staff and great office culture.
Client resources
LPLC has produced a range of resources to help practitioners communicate with and provide information to their clients.These resources include templates and file notes, client guides, brochures and handouts.
Wellbeing & Mental Health
The legal profession is overrepresented when it comes to mental illness and in Australia, lawyers are more likely than the general population to experience depression and anxiety.