Advice 3: COVID-19 - practising certificate renewals and fees

The Law Society Northern Territory is aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on legal practitioners and firms across the Northern Territory.

The Society has been looking at measures that may assist the local legal profession where possible and notes steps taken in other Australian jurisdictions to support and provide financial and other assistance.

Northern Territory annual practising certificate fees and the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund annual contribution are not set by the Society but are determined each year by a statutory process under the Legal Profession Act 2006. Membership of the Society is included as part of the practising certificate fee.

This means that the Society has no ability to reduce practising certificate fees or Society membership fees as has been occurring in other jurisdictions.

The Society is however considering other measures that it may be able to take to support the local profession including financial support in the form of a free CPD program. Further information regarding this initiative will be provided in the near future.

The Society also reminds practitioners of its free confidential LawCare counselling service offered through Employee Assistance Service Australia which can be accessed on 1800 193 123.

In addition the Society fully appreciates the difficulties being experienced by some practitioners and firms throughout the Northern Territory due to COVID-19 and welcomes contact from practitioners to increase its awareness of these issues and any potential responses.

Download Advice #3 here.