ADELAIDE — South Australia’s Supreme Court has sanctioned barrister Madeleine Betro after she practised law for seven months without a current practising certificate, ordering a fine, mentoring, and supervision as part of restorative measures.
Justice Chris Bleby, joined by Justices Laura Stein and Ben Doyle, imposed the maximum fine permitted under legislation, granted her a retrospective certificate effective July 1, 2024, and required her to complete a law practice management course by mid-2026, along with three hours of professional development and business skills training. She must also practise under supervision, including monthly meetings, until at least June 2026.
Betro had continued working from July 2024 to February 2025, despite repeated reminders from the Law Society of South Australia and the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner to renew her $745 practising certificate. The court heard she only ceased practising upon personal confrontation by the commissioner in court. ([turn0news22])
In a related Family Court matter, Judge Anna Parker ruled that evidence and cross-examination conducted by Betro while unlicensed would not be invalidated. The judge found no deliberate wrongdoing nor unfairness to the trial, and noted the importance of maintaining access to evidence, particularly in sensitive custody cases. Betro has requested a backdated practising certificate; the Full Court will review whether to approve it, alongside conditions or penalty measures. Meanwhile, the unnamed client involved in the custody case described the consequences as “catastrophic”—comparing her experience to being “driven by an unlicensed driver”—and voiced deep disappointment in the regulatory response. She criticized the Law Society for not acting proactively, especially after learning of Betro’s unlicensed status only when attempting to lodge a complaint. The Law Society responded that while it offers assistance, licence renewal is ultimately the practitioner’s responsibility.
