Russell Kennedy has made a change to the structure of its law practice. This notice explains what has changed, what will remain the same and what it means for clients and matters handled by Russell Kennedy.
Overview of the change
As part of an internal restructure, the law practice conducted by Russell Kennedy Pty Ltd, an incorporated legal practice, transferred to the Russell Kennedy partnership, effective 1 July 2026.
There is no change to the underlying ownership of the practice, our management or our staff, and your existing relationships with our team remain the same. From 1 July 2026, your legal services agreement will simply be with the Russell Kennedy partnership on the same terms. Your day-to-day dealings with Russell Kennedy will continue unchanged.
What this means for clients
No action is required unless a client wishes to give Russell Kennedy a different direction in relation to their files, documents or trust monies. The law governing the legal profession requires Russell Kennedy to notify clients of the following:
- Unless Russell Kennedy receives a different direction from a client, client documents, files and any safe custody documents will be transferred to the Russell Kennedy partnership.
- Clients are entitled to give Russell Kennedy a different direction in relation to the conduct of their affairs and the delivery of their documents.
Trust money and controlled money
Where Russell Kennedy holds trust money or controlled money on behalf of a client:
- Russell Kennedy intends to transfer the relevant monies to the Russell Kennedy partnership, unless advised to the contrary.
- Clients are entitled to give Russell Kennedy a contrary direction about how the relevant monies should be dealt with on their behalf.
Electronic conveyancing transactions
Where client documents, files or safe custody documents relate to an electronic conveyancing transaction, Russell Kennedy notifies clients that:
- Any work in progress on an outstanding conveyancing transaction will be transferred to the Russell Kennedy partnership for completion.
- Any authority provided to digitally sign electronic conveyancing documents on a client’s behalf as subscriber, representative and/or lodging party will also be transferred to the Russell Kennedy partnership.
AML/CTF obligations
From 1 July 2026, Russell Kennedy is a reporting entity under the new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing laws. This may affect the way Russell Kennedy collects and verifies certain information from clients as part of its legal and regulatory obligations.
No action required
If Russell Kennedy does not receive a different direction from a client, current arrangements will continue as outlined in this notice.
Clients with questions about this notice should contact their usual Russell Kennedy contact.