The Supreme Court has inherent jurisdiction in relation to the regulation of the conduct of all lawyers in South Australia. It determines whether they are entitled to be admitted and it can take away their right to practise by striking them off the roll or suspending their practising certificates. The Court may make any other orders it considers are necessary in relation to any lawyer.
If SACAT has recommended that disciplinary proceedings be taken in the Supreme Court, the Attorney-General, the Law Society or the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner may take those proceedings.
From 1 September 2026, the Supreme Court may, either on the application of the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner or on its own initiative, order that a lawyer undergo a health assessment by a medical practitioner or psychologist and to undertake any treatment recommended by them, order that a lawyer receive counselling, or participate in a program of supervised treatment or rehabilitation. If a lawyer refuses or fails to comply with the order, the Supreme Court may make an order suspending or cancelling their practising certificate [Legal Practitioners Act 1981 (SA) s 20AL].