Monday Briefs

15 October

15 October 2018
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Rural Conference and Annual Members Dinner

The Law Society’s Annual Members Dinner on Thursday 25 October is an opportunity to thank all who have contributed to the work of the Law Society over the course of the year. All members are invited to the dinner with our guest speaker, The Honourable Justice Stephen Gageler AC, at Doltone House Hyde Park, Sydney. We will also honour the achievements of solicitors who have practised law for 50 years and will announce the recipient of the 2018 President's Medal, recognising their significant personal and professional contributions to the betterment of law and justice in the community. The next day many of us will reconvene for the 2018 Rural Issues Conference at Parliament House, Sydney. Continue reading >
 
NEWS
Join us at the Rural Issues Conference 
The highly anticipated Rural Issues Conference will be held on Friday 26 October at Parliament House NSW and will focus on the unique matters affecting practitioners in rural areas. REGISTER NOW
The FLIP Inquiry Series – Behind the buzz words: Blockchain
Join the conversation on 24 October and hear from a panel of experts including legal blockchain experts, regulators, legal start-up founders, academics, forensic experts and more. REGISTER NOW 
Notice – Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund
The Law Society invites claims against the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund for default by the law practice KR Lawyers & Consultants Pty Ltd arising from the conduct of an associate of that law practice, Anne Kazas-Rogaris. Claims must be received by
5 February 2019. READ MORE
Minds Count – Addressing mental health in the legal profession 
Hear Stephen Sly from DLA Piper and Dr Brian Marien, co-founder of the Positive Group, as they discuss evidence-based techniques to improve psychological wellbeing, resilience and performance on 12 November. REGISTER NOW
2018 Sir Anthony Mason Constitutional Law Address and Presentation Night
Featuring "A Tale of Two Senators – Re Webster, Day [No 2] and s44(v)" presented by Neil Williams SC of Sixth Floor Chambers, followed by remarks on constitutional law by Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE GBM QC. REGISTER NOW
2019 Diary – Pre-orders open now
Pre-order your 2019 diary online now and be one of the first to receive it from 1 November. Get in quick, stocks are strictly limited. The diary is available in three convenient formats: week-at-a-glance, day-to-a-page, and pocket. ORDER YOURS TODAY
 
WHAT'S ON
Online Conveyancing Procedures for Solicitors
22 October - 9 December 2018
Family law procedures for support staff
23 October 2018
Thought Leadership Series: Response to the growing prison population in NSW
23 October 2018
Annual Members Dinner 
25 October 2018
REGISTER NOW
10th Anniversary Refugee Ball
26 October 2018
Supreme Court of NSW Commercial and Corporate Law Conference  
20 November 2018
NSW YOUNG LAWYERS
NSW REGIONAL LAW SOCIETIES
EVENTS CALENDAR
 
 
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
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Professional Standards Scheme Online Application Portal Open – 2018/19 Scheme year

The Law Society of NSW Professional Standards Scheme online application portal is now open.

Hard copy application forms will be posted in early November to those law practices who have not availed themselves of the online application portal by then.

Law practice principals are reminded that, under the Scheme, as approved by the Professional Standards Councils and in accordance with the professional standards legislation, all Law Society Members in private practice are required to apply for either participation in, or exemption from, the Scheme.  

It is important to ensure that your law practice and practitioner details are up to date before you complete your Scheme application. If these details have changed since 30 June this year, please ensure that your practitioners contact the Registry on 9926 0156 or by email at  registry@lawsociety.com.au to update the Society’s records as required under clause 61 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Regulation 2015.

All applications to participate in, or exempt from, the new Scheme must be received by 21 November 2018.

If you have any questions regarding the Scheme, please do not hesitate to contact the Scheme team by email at scheme@lawsociety.com.au or by calling 9926 0189.
 
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2018 Law Society Council Election  Reminder
 
Ballot papers and voting instructions were recently forwarded to all Solicitor Members.  An email “Invitation to Vote” sent from our external provider, BigPulse, was also forwarded to Solicitor Members with personalised email addresses. If you have not already voted, you will receive a BigPulse reminder “Invitation to Vote” on 15 October. If you do not receive your email, please check your junk mail or spam filters.
 
To vote electronically, a unique password is populated in “Your Sign-in Name” which must not be overwritten. For security purposes, you need to enter, in “Member ID”, your Law Society Number recorded on your practising certificate (or ID card). Your personalised email cannot be forwarded on.
 
You may only vote once. If you choose to vote electronically, please do not submit a paper ballot as this will invalidate both the electronic and paper votes.
 
For any queries, contact secretary@lawsociety.com.au
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Representation in the NSW District Court lists

Solicitors are reminded that the District Court requires proper representation in all appearances before the court.

The requirements for representation are set out in paragraph 4 of Civil Practice Note 1. If a party is legally represented, a legal practitioner with adequate knowledge of the case must represent that party whenever the case is listed before the court. He or she must have sufficient instructions to answer the court’s questions and to enable the court to make all appropriate orders and directions.

Practitioners who do not comply with paragraph 4 of the Practice Note may have a costs order made against them.

If there are exceptional circumstances which mean that a legal practitioner with adequate knowledge of the case is not able to appear, the court should be advised as soon as possible.

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NSW District Court Standard Order for Conferral of Experts
The Law Society’s Litigation Law & Practice Committee has consulted the NSW District Court and provides the following information to assist practitioners to comply with the court’s Standard Orders regarding the conferral of experts. READ MORE
 
LEGAL UPDATES powered by LSJ

Employment
Another casual
conundrum: substance
over form prevails (again)

By Jack de Flamingh
and Erin Kiley. >

Criminal law
New laws get
tough on child
sex abuse
By Andrew Tiedt. 
 
PROCLAMATIONS
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IN THE PRESS
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MEMBER BENEFITS
LSJ launches Off the Record podcast
LSJ has launched a new podcast to shine light on “taboo” topics of discussion among lawyers. Hosted by LSJ editor Claire Chaffey and online editor Kate Allman, the first episode explores alcoholism in the profession. SUBSCRIBE NOW 
Start the 8 Week Challenge today
Looking for an end of year challenge? Join the 8 Week Challenge and be at your fittest this December with this ultimate way of getting into shape! Members save 10% off listed F45 memberships over 14 Sydney clubs. START TODAY>
Prepare your travel plans with 24/7 assistance
Whether you’re travelling within Australia or overseas, QBE travel insurance provides you with free cover for children under 25 travelling with you. Enjoy this benefit and more with exclusive discounts for Law Society members. GET YOUR QUOTE>
 
 
The Law Society of New South Wales
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