Friday, 12 September 2025
Unqualified legal practitioners
The rise of unqualified legal practice is becoming a growing concern across Australia, particularly with the increasing use of online platforms such as Airtasker and social media. Individuals without formal legal training or accreditation are offering services like legal advice, document drafting, and even court representation—often falsely claiming to hold legal qualifications.
This trend undermines the integrity of the legal profession and exposes vulnerable members of the community to serious risks, including receiving incorrect or harmful advice.
“Using someone who isn’t a qualified lawyer can put you at real risk,” said Mr Vik Sundar, President of the ACT Law Society. “They might give you the wrong advice, delay your matter, or stop you from getting what you're entitled to. They’re also not covered by professional insurance if things go wrong.”
The ACT Law Society has recently updated its public guidance on the risks of engaging unqualified legal practitioners. This initiative is part of the Society’s ongoing commitment to upholding professional standards and protecting the public.
Members of the community are urged to verify a person’s legal credentials before seeking legal help.
You can:
- Check if your lawyer is licensed by visiting the ACT Law Society’s Find a Lawyer page.
- Report unqualified legal work in the ACT by completing the Society’s Complaint Enquiry Form.
- Find out more about the risk of engaging an unqualified legal practitioner here.
For more information, please contact the ACT Law Society’s Communications Officer via communications@actlawsociety.asn.au or (02) 6274 0300.
