Join the Society and/or apply for a Practising Certificate
People wishing to join the ACT Law Society can do so either as Solicitor members (members with a Practising Certificate) or Associate members (members not practising in law). Solicitor membership is open to anyone who has been admitted as a solicitor in Australia. Associate membership is open to anybody who would like to join the Society, including law students.
Joining the Law Society enables you to access a range of services including:
- Our weekly email update containing news specific to the ACT legal profession.
- Our quarterly magazine Ethos, containing articles on a range of topical legal issues, case notes, social photos, and more.
- Access to a range of social, sporting, and other networking events.
- Discounted professional development courses on a range of topics.
- Specialised events and resources in areas like property law, family law, and international law, as well as for lawyers working in government, or in their first five years of practise.
- Confidential advice on business, ethical, and professional issues.
- A system of advisors to offer guidance, advice, and support.
- Confidential third-party counselling available over the phone, in person, or online.
- Free hire of meeting rooms, mediation spaces, and training facilities.
- Solicitor ID cards to identify yourself to the Courts.
- The opportunity to contribute to the Society and the ACT community by joining a policy advisory committee.
- The opportunity to be nominated for our annual ACT Law Awards.
For urgent membership and practising certificate enquiries contact the Society's Executive Secretary on 02 6274 0300.
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For any general membership enquiries, please contact memberassist@actlawsociety.asn.au.
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If you wish to join the Society click here. You will have an expiry date of 30 June 2024. If you have previously held a membership with the Society, you should not submit a new join. Please contact memberassist@actlawsociety.asn.au if you are unsure of your previous member record or login details. |
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If you don't wish to join the Society, but would like to receive fortnightly emails about upcoming events and professional development courses, please send us an email. |
Joining the Society: Fees 2023-24
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ACT Practising Certificate fees
Private lawyer
- ACT Unrestricted Practising Certificate (Private) = $1,429
- ACT Restricted Practising Certificate (Private) = $880
In-house lawyer
- ACT Unrestricted Practising Certificate (In-house) = $1,229
- ACT Restricted Practising Certificate (In-house) = $880
Government lawyer
- ACT Unrestricted Practising Certificate (Government) = $874
- ACT Restricted Practising Certificate (Government) = $609
Not practising in the ACT
- ACT Unrestricted Practising Certificate (Non-ACT) = $927
- ACT Restricted Practising Certificate (Non-ACT) = $491
Please note that fees apply from 1 July to 30 June and are pro-rated from August onwards.
Note: The eligibility criteria for applying for a First ACT Unrestricted Practising Certificate is set out in Regulation 10 of the Legal Profession Regulation 2007. You are required to attach a statutory declaration to your application addressing the eligibility criteria.
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Volunteer lawyers (only undertaking pro bono work)
- ACT Unrestricted Practising Certificate (Volunteer) = free
- ACT Restricted Practising Certificate (Volunteer) = free
Please note that fees apply from 1 July to 30 June and are pro-rated from August onwards.
Note: Holders of volunteer practising certificates must still arrange appropriate professional indemnity insurance, and they may only undertake work of a pro bono nature.
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Members not practising in law (including students)
- No PC member (Full) = $156.50
- No PC member (Associate) = $156.50
- No PC member (Associate Student) = $25*
Please note that fees apply from 1 July to 30 June and are pro-rated from August onwards. Student memberships are not pro-rated.
Note: Full members have the right to vote in Law Society elections, and may serve on Committees, Executive or Council. Associate members may serve on Law Society Committees, but may not vote in elections, or serve on Executive or Council.
