NSW Community Legal Centre State Conference ‘Rural Solicitor Shortage’ Project Trish Mundy

‘Rural Solicitor Shortage’ Project What is the project about? What is the project about? Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre ‘Small grant’ funding from NSW Law and Justice Foundation ‘Small grant’ funding from NSW Law and Justice Foundation Literature review Literature review  Extent of problem in recruitment & retention  Factors  Strategies Aim: Stage 2 Research Project which focuses on strategies Aim: Stage 2 Research Project which focuses on strategies

Extent of the problem – statistical snapshot Steady decline in lawyers in rural, regional areas over last decade. Steady decline in lawyers in rural, regional areas over last decade. As at 2 October 2007, 13.3% of the profession were practising in rural areas, compared to 53.2% within the Sydney CBD and 29.3% in suburban areas. As at 2 October 2007, 13.3% of the profession were practising in rural areas, compared to 53.2% within the Sydney CBD and 29.3% in suburban areas. Since 1988 there has been a steady decline in the proportion of solicitors practising in rural and regional areas, from 16.7% down to the current figure of 13.3%. This represents an average decline of approximately 1.3% per year. Since 1988 there has been a steady decline in the proportion of solicitors practising in rural and regional areas, from 16.7% down to the current figure of 13.3%. This represents an average decline of approximately 1.3% per year.

statistical snapshot Retirement Intentions: “Most country solicitors are aged over 45 and it appears that one third of those will retire in the next 10 to 15 years”* “Most country solicitors are aged over 45 and it appears that one third of those will retire in the next 10 to 15 years”* *Law Society 2002: “Young rural solicitors in decline: new blood needed in bush” (National Competition Policy: A discussion paper 2002)

statistical snapshot

Factors (General) Location of legal education experience Location of legal education experience Professional Development/Career Advancement Professional Development/Career Advancement Lifestyle perceptions Lifestyle perceptions Family Family Gender? Gender? Pay/Salary Pay/Salary Generation Y factor? Generation Y factor?

Factors (Private Practitioners) Falling profitability and lack of economic incentive: Falling profitability and lack of economic incentive:  Impact of competition policy  Legal Aid  Effects of rural decline generally

Factors (Community Legal Centres) Salary Salary Working conditions Working conditions

Current strategies Legal Aid bodies: Legal Aid bodies:  Regional Solicitor Program, Queensland  Regional Solicitor Program, NSW  Country Lawyers Graduate Program, WA Community Legal Centres: Community Legal Centres:  Regional Summer Clerkship Program (Albury Wodonga)  Law Graduates Program (NACLC)

Proposals/ Recommendations Increasing rural and remote participation in law studies: Increasing rural and remote participation in law studies:  Increase funding to RRR law schools  Summer vacation work / summer clerkships Community Legal Centres: Community Legal Centres:  Portability of conditions  Waiver of HECS fees  Additional salary loading  Increased FBT benefits or other taxation incentives