In practice

In practice

The last seal in town: Why regional Queensland still needs notaries

In some Queensland regional communities, obtaining notarial services can require hundreds of kilometres of travel, significant delay, or reliance on already stretched notarial practitioners.

Guy Dunstan, Becana Devencorn

Family law

Efficiency of ‘hot tub’ process

Ashdown & Markin (No 2) [2026] FedCFamC1F 164

Craig Nicol, Keleigh Robinson

In practice

Support and assistance animals: An emerging head of damage?

Across Australia, research suggests that 73 per cent of homes have at least one pet and there are an estimated 7.3-7.4 million pet dogs in the country.

Travis Schultz

In practice

How safe is your safe custody?

Most of the documents held on behalf of clients contain information which is confidential and often sensitive; those documents must be secured in such a fashion that they are safe from theft or damage.

Shane Budden

In practice

AML/CTF regime about protecting integrity of financial and legal systems

QLS President Peter Jolly asks members not to lose sight of the broader purpose behind the 1 July obligations.

Peter Jolly

In practice

When oral health encounters hidden harm

The guide was launched digitally this month via the NQWLS website aligning with Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

In practice, News

Beyond keeping up to date for specialist practitioners

The QLS Specialist Practice Conference, happening from 7-9 October at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, is now being developed.

In practice

Significant cuts to professional indemnity insurance rates on way

In addition to the substantial rate reductions, Mr Young confirmed that all major scheme innovations introduced in recent years will remain in place for 2026/27.

In practice

Registry guidelines for lodging scanned wills

It is recommended that practitioners prepare scanned copies of original wills and codicils before the originals are bound.

In practice

Lessor criminal and civil liability under illicit tobacco and nicotine product law

The amendments include significant shifts in Queensland leasing law with the imposition of criminal and civil liability on commercial lessors and the introduction of a statutory right to terminate leases of closed premises.

Sonia Smith

In practice

Changes to the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules 2023 – Submissions invited

Queensland Law Society invites comments and submissions regarding proposed changes to the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules 2023 (ASCR).

Grace van Baarle

In practice

New lessor termination rights aim to disrupt illicit tobacco and nicotine trade

The amendments, which came into effect on 24 November 2025, are aimed at disrupting the trade of illicit tobacco and nicotine products in Queensland.

Sonia Smith

In practice

Practitioners urged to renew their practising certificates

From 1 to 31 May, Queensland solicitors practitioners can log into the myQLS portal to renew their practising certificates.

In practice

Seller disclosure laws won’t slow Queensland’s property market – they’ll make it fairer

Seller disclosure does not create gazumping, and it does not meaningfully increase its likelihood.

Professor Sharon Christensen

In practice

AML/CTF – Do I need to do anything if I am not providing a designated service?

QLS shares tips for practitioners to consider regarding designated service under the AML/CTF Act.

Grace van Baarle

In practice

Cyber-attack response not privileged

The recent decision in Medibank Private Limited v McClure [2026] FCAFC 38 (20 March 2026) emphasises the attachment of privilege to work done will depend on what was the dominant purpose of the lawyers' involvement.

Shane Budden

In practice

Sanctions compliance – what lawyers need to know

In March 2026, the Australian Sanctions Office released new guidance aimed specifically at the provision of legal services.

Bridget Smith

In practice

AI legal advice tools risk waiving client privilege, courts warn

The advent of the internet exacerbated this problem, with clients able to search articles and opinions – with sources of various levels of expertise – to challenge a practitioner’s guidance, advice and strategies.

Shane Budden