Monday Briefs

11 November

Your weekly professional update

11 November 2019
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Legal aid receives $88 million funding boost

Last Thursday evening, members of the legal profession, judiciary, government, not for profit organisations and community gathered in the Strangers Dining Room at NSW Parliament House to mark a significant moment in the provision of legal aid services in New South Wales – the 40th anniversary of NSW Legal Aid.

In the four decades since Legal Aid was first established as the Legal Services Commission it has grown to one of the country’s biggest law practices – with 24 offices across NSW and more than 1,000 staff providing criminal, family and civil law assistance, as well as non-legal services, particularly in relation to domestic and family violence. Continue reading >

 
 
NEWS
A Night of Just Music – Wednesday 27 November
The Law Society invites you to attend a night of music in support of Our Watch and the vital work they do in helping end violence against women and their children. Find out more and register
End of CPD year program now available
More than 50 courses in February – March 2020 are now available for enrolment. Save up to 10 per cent off course rates when you book before 10 December 2019. View the program and register
Stand out from the crowd
Are you looking to develop your knowledge and skills, promote your expertise and grow your professional network? If so, stand out from the crowd and register your interest in the Specialist Accreditation Program.
Arbitration for the profession workshop
In some states, Judges of the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, are strongly encouraging parties to undertake arbitration in property matters to avoid ever-increasing Court delays. On 29 November, AIFLAM and the Law Society of NSW are partnering to bring you a half-day workshop covering the practicalities of conducting Arbitration as a solicitor for a party. Register now
 
 
WHAT'S ON
Thought Leadership: Smart law for deep space
18 November 2019
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women fundraiser
21 November 2019
Conveyancing update: Contract for the Sale and Purchase of Land 2019
26 November 2019
Advocacy Masterclass: Cross-Examination
27 November 2019
Disability inclusion and accessibility in the legal profession
28 November 2019
NSW YOUNG LAWYERS
NSW REGIONAL LAW SOCIETIES
EVENTS CALENDAR
LAWINFORM CPD CALENDAR
 
 
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
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Off the plan reforms commence 1 December 2019
Residential off the plan contracts exchanged from and including 1 December 2019 must contain the “new” cooling off notice, which is included in the 2019 edition of the Contract for the sale and purchase of land, and the new disclosure statement available from the Office of the Registrar General’s website. The “new” cooling off notice is also separately available from the ECOS portal. Read more about the 2019 edition. For a deeper look, join us for a special conveyancing update course as we examine this new edition, register here.
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Discrete property lists commencing in the Parramatta Registry
From 2 December 2019, there will be a new practice adopted in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia in Parramatta for case management of financial applications. From that date, applications which seek financial orders only will be listed before a Registrar on the first court date and managed by a Registrar until the conclusion of the dispute resolution process. Referral to a Judge on the first court date will only be made in circumstances of genuine urgency requiring judicial determination.
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Workers Compensation Commission – Publication of decisions policy
Practitioners are reminded of the Commission’s policy to delay publication of a written decision for seven days from the date of issue to allow parties sufficient time to make a written request to withhold from publication all or part of the decision. The Commission views this as an important measure to protect the mental well-being of stakeholders, particularly vulnerable workers, given the often personal and sensitive nature of matters which come before the Commission. A copy of the Commission’s publication policy can be found here. Practitioners are expected to comply with this policy, including refraining from circulating and publishing on Commission decisions within the seven-day non-disclosure period.

LEGAL UPDATES powered by LSJ
Taxation
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IN THE PRESS
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