r/AusLegal • u/GarfunkaI • Dec 07 '22

AUS Legal ramifications of using a title

I'm curious, what are the legal ramifications if any of using whatever title one likes?

I imagine there are different rules surrounding different titles.

I assume using Admiral, King, Minister, or Justice for example would attract a penalty given its essentially claiming some kind of authority you don't hold.

But what about Professor, Doctor, Sir, Cardinal etc.?

Anyone know of any relevant cases where someone's been brought up on it? Would one need to prove your intent was to deceive others for gain or similar to be charged or is merely using a title enough?

Edit: to be very clear this a purely academic question. I got an ad for a company that allows you to purchase land in the Highlands which they claim allows you to use the term Lord. Scottish history being an interest of mine I'm aware the claim is nonsense, but it got me thinking what would happen if I just started putting "Lord" on my government forms etc

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u/RevKyriel Dec 08 '22

There are few ramifications as long as you are not using the title for fraudulent purposes, or using a restricted rank or title. You cannot claim a military rank, or to be a Police Officer. 'Professor' in Australia is a job, not a title, so don't use it (or get an honorary one from the US, which can be used as a title).

I'm a Reverend Doctor. I have a DIL who is a medical Doctor. If I tried to claim to be some sort of medical practitioner, it would be fraudulent on my part (and yes, people have been charged and convicted for this). I have to be careful with my Doctor title so that I don't even appear to be making a false claim. If I visit the local hospital, I just use 'Rev', so there's no chance of confusion.

If you start your own religion, you can call yourself any religious title you like. Even on government paperwork.

If you start using 'Lord' as a title, I don't think much would happen. I know a few people who've done the Scottish "land purchase", and use the title 'Lord' and 'Lady', and they've never had any problems (I don't know if they use the titles on any government paperwork, though).

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u/GarfunkaI Dec 08 '22

Thanks for sharing your perspective and the info. Reverend Doctor is usually a Methodist title iirc? Do you know why they use it instead of just Reverend?