Activist Rights

Solicitors, Barristers, Law Students

Estimated reading: 1 minute

In order to be admitted to practice, you have to establish that you are of “good fame and character” and should disclose any information that may bear on this point, such as criminal charges or convictions. It is highly recommended that you disclose spent convictions, as failure to disclose such information could be interpreted as misleading and tending to show that you are not of “good fame and character”.

Police checks for admissions will show your full criminal history, including spent convictions.

Whilst some people have been admitted to practice despite their criminal record, others have been refused admittance because of it.

Minor offences related to protesting will not generally be a bar to admission. But you must still disclose them.

If you are thinking of becoming a lawyer but are worried about your criminal record, you can apply to the Victorian Legal Admissions Board for an ‘early suitability of assessment’

Where a legal practitioner commits a criminal offence in their personal capacity, the offence may be characterised as professional misconduct if it indicates that the person is unfit to practice law. 

For more information, go to the Victorian Legal Admissions Board website.

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