The Legal Profession Act, Conduct and Bar Rules
The Legal Profession Act (NT) provides for admission to, and the regulation of, the legal profession, and for entities relating to the legal profession, and for other purposes.
Current legislation, regulations and rules can be obtained from the NT Government legislation database.
MAIN PURPOSES OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION ACT
The main purposes of this Act are as follows:
- to promote the administration of justice;
- to provide for the protection of consumers of legal services and the public generally;
- to regulate legal practice in this jurisdiction, including the legal practice of foreign law by foreign lawyers;
- to facilitate the regulation of legal practice on a national basis.
AUSTRALIAN SOLICITORS CONDUCT RULES (NT)
Sections 689 and 690 of the Legal Profession Act (2006) (NT) (LPA) provides the Society has the power to make rules for the legal profession (solicitors, barristers and foreign-registered lawyers).
On 15 August 2025, the Society made the Australian Solicitor Conduct Rules (NT) (ASCR) which came into force on 1 September 2025. The rules were amended on 10 June 2025 and the amended ASCR commenced on 1 July 2026.
Conduct occurring prior to 1 September 2025 was governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and Practice.
BARRISTERS' CONDUCT RULES
On 15 August 2025, the Society made the Barristers Conduct Rules under ss 689 and 690 of the LPA and the rules came into force as made on 1 September 2025.
The rules are consistent with the version previously in force as adopted by the NT Bar Association in March 2002 and amended from time to time.
- Last Modified: July 21, 2026
- 1:23 pm