Open search
Home /
For the profession /
The complaints process /
Step 1: Assessing a complaint

Step 1: Assessing a complaint

The Commission will assess the content of the complaint, and decide whether there is conduct that requires an investigation or if the complaint should be dismissed.

Assessment

After a complaint is received, a member of the Commission’s staff will review the complaint to determine if it should proceed to an investigation or if it can be dismissed.

We will collect further information from the complainant, if required, to help form this decision.

If the Commissioner dismisses a complaint without investigation, you likely won’t be notified of the complaint at all.

Reasons for dismissal 

Complaints can be dismissed before investigation for a variety of reasons, including the:

  • complainant has not provided the Commission with further information as required
  • conduct falls outside the jurisdiction of the Legal Profession Act 2007
  • complaint does not disclose conduct that may amount to unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct
  • complaint is frivolous, vexatious or lacking in substance
  • matter has been dealt with before
  • practitioner in question has already been removed from the local roll.

Other steps

Step 1:

Assessing a complaint

Step 2:

Investigation

Find out more

Step 3:

Dismissal or discipline application

Find out more

Step 4:

Disciplinary proceedings

Find out more