The Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner (VLSB+C) are responsible under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Uniform Law) for ensuring that lawyers are competent and maintain high ethical and professional standards.

It is a relevant consideration for the Victorian Legal Services Board (the Board) to have regard to whether an applicant seeking a grant of a principal practising certificate possesses the necessary skills and expertise to undertake the additional responsibilities allocated to them under the Uniform Law.

Where a grant of a principal practising certificate is to commence in operation on or after 1 January 2019, the applicant lawyer must demonstrate to the Board’s satisfaction that he or she has the appropriate skills and expertise required to be a principal.

The Board has determined that an applicant lawyer who has completed a Practice Management Course (PMC) which has been assessed by the Board as meeting the requirements set out in these guidelines will be considered to have attained the necessary skills and expertise to hold a principal practising certificate.

These Guidelines set out the Board’s minimum requirements for a PMC to be offered to lawyers applying for a principal practising certificate.