Client Money: Trust Account Management for Australian Lawyers, 2nd edition

The extensively updated second edition of this valuable text provides detailed and comprehensive guidance on the law, professional standards and ethics that govern the role of lawyers in handling money held for clients, with a particular focus on lawyers’ trust account management. It covers all Australian jurisdictions.

As the security of trust money rests significantly on how lawyers account for trust account transactions, the accounting required by law is explained and examples are given to illustrate how accounts are to be kept. The more general legal responsibilities relating to handling of others’ money are also covered, including those arising in contract and under fiduciary and trustees’ duties. Statutory powers underpinning civil remedies such as the ordering of accounts and appointment of receivers are also discussed.

The new edition has been widely updated to include recent developments such as:

• Updated the legislative references to recognise Western Australia’s adoption of the Uniform Law

• Added reference to the AML/CTF requirements that will apply to lawyers from July 2026

• Extensive coverage of recent discipline decisions affecting lawyers

• Changes resulting from the widespread adoption of electronic conveyancing and Australia’s 2030 cheques transition plan

The scope and depth of coverage make it essential reading for legal practitioners, students and graduates undertaking practical legal training.

Features

• Comprehensive coverage Australia-wide of trust account requirements

• Identifies the underlying ethical responsibility of practitioners in managing client funds

• Ensures appropriate awareness of the consequences of breach

• Includes plentiful accounting examples

• Clear, accessible explanations

Related Titles

• Ebejer, LexisNexis Questions and Answers: Legal Practice and Ethics, 4th edition, 2022

• Esparraga, Ethical Legal Practice and Professional Conduct, 2019

• Field, Duffy & Huggins, Lawyering and Positive Professional Identities, 2nd edition, 2020

• MacFarlane & Ross, Ethics, Professional Responsibility and Legal Practice, 2016