The Board of Examiners for Legal Practitioners

The Board of Examiners (the 'Board') is the body responsible for arranging admission to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria by persons wishing to be Australian Lawyers. The Board was created well over 100 years ago, largely to perform the traditional functions of the "Body of Benchers" of the old English Inns of Court. Its modern existence derives from the Legal Profession Act 2004 (ss.6.5.9 - 6.5.18).

The Board grants (or withholds) the Certificates upon which the Supreme Court relies when ordering that persons be admitted. All candidates must satisfy the Board that they have complied with the Rules [Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2008, made pursuant to the Legal Profession Act 2004 ]. They must also satisfy the Board that they are of good character and reputation. The onus of proof rests on the applicant; the Board has power to make inquiries, and may require applicants to appear before it.

In their own interest, people seeking admission to practice should first read the Rules with great care. If, after study of the Rules, you need further information or procedural advice, contact the Board about your specific problem.

The Rules also offer you invaluable help by providing precedents for the proper form of all your documentation.

The Board has three other functions:

1. To approve and to supervise the Supervised Workplace Training under which academically qualified persons may serve their 'traineeship' with a person eligible to be a supervisor.
2. To arrange the admission in Victoria of admitted practitioners from interstate or from New Zealand pursuant to the Mutual Recognition Principle. (Contact the Board for further information).
3. To arrange the appointment by the Supreme Court of qualified persons to be Public Notaries pursuant to the Public Notaries Act 2001 (No. 52 of 2001). (Contact the Board for further information).

The Board's office will readily assist with procedural advice; before seeking such help, however, study the Rules carefully, as they apply to your case.

Articles commenced prior to 1 July 2008

Information Packages for applicants seeking admission after 1 July 2008

Information packages have been prepared for the following applicants:

• Supervised Workplace Training Applicants
• Practical Legal Training Applicants
• Overseas Practitioner
• Qualified Overseas Applicants

Please see link under related publications.

How to get in touch with us

Please contact this office via telephone (03) 9604 2451 or by letter (Ground Floor, 451 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000).