Monday Briefs

21 January

21 January 2019
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Staying ahead of the legal technology game

In her speech at the opening of the 2019 Legal Year in Hong Kong last week, which I was honoured to attend, the President of the Hong Kong Law Society, Melissa Pang, urged solicitors to embrace the technological innovation and change that is transforming the legal profession. The Hong Kong Law Society President suggested that “practitioners should be capably supervising the use of the new technologies, not competing with them”. Here in NSW, our members are hungry for information about innovation and technology and we are powering ahead with initiatives to help solicitors to stay ahead of the game in understanding how it will affect the way they practise today and into the future. Continue reading >

 
NEWS
2019 Opening of Law Term Dinner
The Law Society of NSW invites you to the 2019 Opening of Law Term Dinner on 30 January at Parliament House. Enjoy an evening of fine food and great company to welcome members back from the holiday break and celebrate the start of the new law term. REGISTER NOW
FLIP Inquiry Series Behind the Buzzwords: Regtech

This Law Society of NSW event on 27 February will provide an engaging and informative look at “RegTech”. The panel will explore regulatory technology, explaining RegTech and what it means for lawyers, examples of its use in compliance, regulatory challenges and more. REGISTER NOW

Secure member sign-on with LawID – coming soon to the Law Society Website, LSJ Online and e-shop
LawID is a new member focused sign-on platform that provides Law Society members exclusive access to the Law Society’s own digital services. As of 29 January, access to exclusive member-only content on the Law Society website, the e-shop and LSJ Online will require a LawID login. You will receive a LawID activation email in the coming days to create your LawID account. Learn more about your new LawID access.
2019 FLIP Conference and Innovation Dinner: save the date  
Legal professionals are advised to save 25 July for the 2019 FLIP Conference and Innovation Dinner in Sydney. Join more than 50 Australian and international experts as they shine a spotlight on emerging technologies and the changing landscape of the legal profession in Australia. Super early bird ticket release coming soon. 
First national survey on fixed-fee service rates
New Law CLE is surveying thousands of lawyers around Australia to benchmark what they actually charge for fixed-fee services. Participants will get access to the final report and find out for themselves where their fixed-fee pricing sits relative to other firms. Learn more about this study and participate in the survey.
Volunteers needed for the 2019 Mock Law Competitions
Are you are interested in helping students learn more about the law? The Law Society’s 2019 Mock Trial and Mock Mediation competitions are seeking solicitors across NSW to act as volunteer Mock Trial Magistrates and Mock Mediation Adjudicators, as well as volunteer writers for their 2019 Programs. Visit the Mock Law Volunteer webpage or email mocklaw@lawsociety.com.au for more information.
Law Society visiting solicitor rooms
Law Society members have exclusive and free access to visiting solicitor rooms on Level 1 at 170 Phillip Street and can book via an online booking portal. The rooms are perfect for client meetings or as a base for working in the city. MAKE A BOOKING
Law Society Diary almost sold out
A strictly limited quantity of 2019 Pocket diaries are still available. Pocket diaries will be sold online and in person at the Law Society Shop until sold out. The Week-at-a-glance and Day-to-a-page diaries are no longer available. BUY NOW
 
 
WHAT'S ON

2019 Opening of Law Term events

January - February 2019
CPD Law Tech and Research for Small Law
7 February 2019
CPD Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Seminar
8 February 2019
Far North Coast Law Society Annual C.L.E
22-23 February 2019
NSW YOUNG LAWYERS
NSW REGIONAL LAW SOCIETIES
EVENTS CALENDAR
 
 
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
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Notice – Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund
The Law Society invites claims against the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund for default by the law practice ECK Lawyers Pty Ltd arising from the conduct of an associate of that law practice, Peter Anthony Khoury. Claims must be received by 29 April 2019. Read more
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ACT Integrity Commissioner
Following the passage of the ACT Integrity Commission Act 2018 late last year, the part-time position of ACT Integrity Commissioner will be advertised in the Australian Financial Review and the Weekend Australian on 1 and 2 February 2019. The appointee must have been a Supreme or Federal Court judge; a justice of the High Court; or a lawyer of at least 10 years’ standing. A seven-year appointment term is available with remuneration and entitlements aligned to those available to Federal Court and ACT Supreme Court judges.
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Registered tax practitioners urged to rectify outstanding personal tax obligations
The Tax Practitioners Board has launched a new compliance strategy calling on registered tax practitioners to settle their outstanding tax obligations. From January 2019, the TPB states that action will be taken to enforce the laws including investigations, prosecutions and proactive collection action, where appropriate. See the information sheet.
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NSW solicitor stuck off  
Luke Jerome Adamson has been found guilty of professional misconduct and had his name removed from the solicitors’ roll maintained by the Supreme Court of NSW under the Legal Profession Act 2004. Read more
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Combustible cladding
Owners of certain buildings with external combustible cladding are required to register their building with the NSW Government through the NSW Cladding Registration portal. For buildings occupied before 22 October 2018, the deadline for registration is 22 February 2019. New buildings must be registered within four months of occupation. Read more 
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Swearing-in ceremony invitations

Wednesday, 23 January from 9am
Gerard Phillips as President of the Workers Compensation Commission of NSW at John Maddison Tower, Level 21, 86 Goulburn Street

Wednesday, 30 January from 9am
Patricia Henry as a Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW at Banco Court, Level 13, Queens Square

Thursday, 31 January from 9.15am
Mark Ierace SC as a Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW at Banco Court, Level 13, Queens Square

Monday 4 February from 9am
Ian Bourke SC & Jonathon Priestley SC | Judges of the District Court of NSW at Downing Centre Local Court, 143-147 Liverpool Street
 
Tuesday 5 February from 9.30am
Ceremonial sitting to mark the occasion of the Industrial Relations Commission's new premises at Court 1, Level 10, 10 – 12 Smith Street, Parramatta
 
Thursday 7 February from 9am
Robert Weber SC & Kara Shead SC | Judges of the District Court of NSW at Downing Centre Local Court, 143-147 Liverpool Street
 
LEGAL UPDATES powered by LSJ
FLIP
Limited scope services: lessons from the Legal Assistance Sector
By John Corker >
Insurance
Total and permanent disability claims: NSWSC confirms insurers’ responsibilities
By Jeremy Harrison >
 
IN THE PRESS
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