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Our new conflict of interest policy receives welcome support

We are very pleased to have received formal support from the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSB+C), for our new Conflict of Interest Policy.

Published:
Monday 7 March 2022 at 5:07 am

We are very pleased to have received formal support from the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSB+C), for our new Conflict of Interest Policy.

Whilst ensuring our lawyers professional obligations are maintained, the Policy leads the way in maximising access to justice for those most in need.

We have deeply appreciated the LSB+C’s significant assistance throughout the development of the policy.

The VLSB+C’s support provides our staff and the legal profession with confidence and the assurance that the updated policy strikes the right balance.

'Whilst leaving no stone unturned in their role as regulator of the legal profession, the VLSB+C have at all times engaged with Victoria Legal Aid and the policy with enthusiasm, encouragement and with an eye to innovative approaches to legal service provision.'

Victoria Legal Aid CEO Louise Glanville.

'Their meaningful consideration and detailed feedback have enabled the creation of a thoughtful policy which leads the way in our justice sector.'

The Commissioner, Fiona McLeay has noted that the policy has been carefully developed over a number of years.

'The Policy and its implementation demonstrate a thorough and sophisticated approach to providing valuable legal services to a large cohort of the Victorian public while maintaining ethical duties of confidentiality and serving clients’ best interests.'

Legal Services Commissioner Fiona McLeay

'I congratulate Victoria Legal Aid on this ground-breaking initiative and look forward to seeing a positive impact on access to legal services in Victoria,' said Ms McLeay.

'As the regulator of the legal profession, my primary concern is to maintain and enhance public trust and confidence in the legal profession in Victoria.

'We seek to protect and empower consumers of legal services and improve legal practice and the ethical standards of Victorian lawyers. In reaching these goals, I believe it is of critical importance to encourage lawyers to take new approaches that enable provision of quality legal services to a greater range of clients,” said Ms McLeay.

More information

If you would like more information about our conflict of interest policy, please contact Marlene Dixon, Associate Director, Internal Legal Services at marlene.dixon@vla.vic.gov.au.

Updated

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