Law Society of New South Wales

It ensures the general public has appropriate access to justice and can be easily connected to members of the profession when they require legal advice.

Along with the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner, the Law Society sets and enforces professional standards,[5] licenses solicitors to practise, investigates complaints and administers discipline to ensure both the community and the profession are properly served by ethical and responsible solicitors.

[6] In 1884, the society was formalized as "The Incorporated Law Institute of New South Wales", and had its first annual meeting the following year.

[22] Prominent Law Society of New South Wales member and former Refugee Council of Australia President Mr David Lee Bitel was arrested in Sydney on 4 December 2012 and charged with 21 counts of serious sexual assault including raping his male clients from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal.

Mr Bitel retained his practising certificate giving him unrestricted access to his clients up until the date of his death.