Surveying the challenges for lawyers in a country practice

17/03/2009

The Law Council hopes a survey commencing this week will help identify issues affecting the recruitment and retention of legal practitioners in country Australia. The online survey, being sent by law societies to lawyers in regional, rural and remote areas, will ask recipients for feedback on a wide range of matters, including legal aid work, retirement and succession planning.

Law Council President John Corcoran said, "Research indicates that there is a major shortage of lawyers in these areas and that the number of legal professionals working in country Australia is continuing to decline."

"There is little doubt that moves must be made to attract more lawyers to regional and rural areas of Australia – and encourage them to stay," Mr Corcoran said.

The Law Council is concerned that diminishing numbers of lawyers will place an even greater burden on the legal aid and justice systems in these areas.

Mr Corcoran said, "If we can draw lawyers to regional, rural and remote Australia and encourage them to remain there, we will go a long way to securing access to justice for the many people who live these areas."

Survey responses are required by Monday, 30 March 2009. Providing such important data will assist law societies and the Law Council in making recommendations on how to tackle this vital issue.

"The Law Council encourages lawyers to participate in this important project. We need as many lawyers as possible to complete the survey� – the feedback may help shape the future of the practise of law in regional, rural and remote Australia," Mr Corcoran concluded. �

**17 March 2009 **

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