Bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment of any kind are inexcusable workplace behaviours that undermine the integrity of the profession, harm individuals and damage workplace culture. All legal practitioners, other employees of law practices and members of the community should be treated with respect, courtesy and fairness.
The Commissioner for Equal Opportunity's report to the Attorney-General on the 2024 Review of Harassment in the South Australian Legal Profession has been released and can be found here. Please see the Statement from the Law Society here and the Statement from the Heads of Jurisdiction here.
Chief Justice Stein has published the Legal Profession Respectful Behaviours Guidelines, endorsed by the Heads of Jurisdiction, following the work of the Respectful Behaviour Committee. The Guidelines address conduct in, or in connection with, the courtroom by legal practitioners and judicial officers. They are intended to assist in identifying bullying and other forms of disrespectful behaviour, provide practical guidance on appropriate professional conduct, and outline responses where such conduct occurs.
Importantly, the Guidelines are informative rather than prescriptive. They do not replace or qualify existing professional, legal, or ethical obligations, but are designed to support reflection, raise standards across the profession, and promote a respectful professional culture. All Members and Legal Practitioners are encouraged to read the Guidelines carefully and consider their application to everyday practice.
Our commitment
The Law Society is a WE'RE EQUAL employer committed to treating everyone equally, regardless of their age, ability, gender diversity, sexuality, relationship and reproductivity status, race, religion and culture. The Society encourages all legal workplaces to commit to WE'RE EQUAL.
The Law Society condemns and has no tolerance for bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment, and accepts its responsibility to lead the profession towards the elimination of these unethical behaviours. We are committed to:
- Promoting respect, fairness and equity in the profession.
- Supporting victims and workplaces in addressing these behaviours.
- Advocating for systemic change to eliminate these behaviours.