Reviews

Decisions made by the NSW Legal Services Commissioner, the Law Society Council and Bar Council are final except that the NSW Legal Services Commissioner may, at their absolute discretion, conduct an internal review of a decision they have made, or a decision made by the Law Society Council or the Bar Council, if they consider it appropriate to do so. Consideration of requests for review may take up to six months.

If you seek that the NSW Legal Services Commissioner review a decision, you must:

• make a written request to this Office within 30 days from the date of the decision letter
• clearly identify the part(s) of the decision that you dispute
• give detailed reasons why you say the decision should be reviewed

Please be aware that the NSW Legal Services Commissioner’s consideration of a request for internal review does not involve re-investigation of a complaint. Broadly, the NSW Legal Services Commissioner may consider whether the:

• process of handling a complaint was fair
• conclusions reached were reasonable on the information available
• decision was adequately explained

Reviews/Appeals to the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal)

Lawyers have a limited right to seek administrative review of some decisions made by the Legal Services Commissioner, the Law Society Council and the Bar Council, by the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal.

Complainants have NO right of appeal or review to the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal of the Commissioner’s decisions as set out below:

1. To close a complaint pursuant to section 277(1) of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) (Uniform Law) and/or without making an order under section 290 of the Uniform Law
2. To cease dealing with a costs dispute pursuant to section 293 of the Uniform Law
3. To decline to exercise the discretion to conduct an internal review pursuant to section 313(1) of the Uniform Law
4. To make a determination under—
   (a)  section 290 in relation to a compensation order for more than $10 000; or
   (b)  section 299

Further information is available in the following Guideline issued by the Commissioner for Uniform Legal Services Regulation.