Monday Briefs

27 April

Your weekly professional update
27 April 2020
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Finding practical solutions for these challenging times

In recent weeks, the Law Society has fielded a substantial number of enquiries from legal practitioners expressing concern about the difficulties the COVID-19 restrictions have created for the witnessing of important legal documents such as wills, powers of attorney, and statutory declarations.

As soon as this issue was brought to our attention, the Law Society raised these concerns with the NSW Government on behalf of the profession. Since then, we have been working with the Government to develop a workable solution to the problem.  Continue reading >
 
 
NEWS
Practising certificate and membership renewals in COVID times
It’s time to renew your 2020-21 practising certificate (PC) and membership. For those who did not renew online last year, we really encourage you to try and do so this year given COVID-19 restrictions affecting us all. If you need help, our registry team members are happy to walk you through the process over the telephone on 02 9926 0156.
LawID needed for PC renewals
It would greatly assist the successful delivery of this year’s PC renewals process for all legal practitioners to ensure they have registered for a LawID. Activate yours today.
Introducing Golden Gavel – COVID Edition
Due to government restrictions on mass gatherings everyone’s favourite annual event, Golden Gavel, is going online this year. Are you brave enough to take part? Find out more.
COVID-19 in NSW schools report
A report into the transmission of COVID-19 within NSW schools in term 1 has found no evidence that students transmit the virus to adults in the schools studied. Read more
COVIDSafe: new app to slow the spread of coronavirus
The Australian Government has launched COVIDSafe – a new voluntary app to help keep you, your family, and community safe from further spread of coronavirus. Read more
 
 
WHAT'S ON
FLIP Stream – Change leadership for lawyers (webcast)
29 April 2020
FLIP Buzzwords: Design Thinking
12 May 2020
Climate, culture and corporations: how concerned should in-house lawyers be?
19 May 2020
Law Society CPD – Three-day Practice Management Course (online)
1, 2 and 3 June 2020
NSW YOUNG LAWYERS
NSW REGIONAL LAW SOCIETIES
LAWINFORM CPD CALENDAR
 
 
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
>
Latest edition of the Court of Appeal’s Decisions of Interest bulletin
The Decisions of Interest bulletin is a regular publication produced by the Court of Appeal, summarising appellate decisions from Australia and internationally. Read the latest bulletin here.
>
Family Court and Federal Circuit Court launch COVID-19 List to deal with urgent parenting disputes
The Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia are establishing a court list dedicated to deal exclusively with urgent parenting-related disputes that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The list will commence on 29 April 2020. Read more
>
COVID-related section on NSW Government legislation website
A COVID-related section has been set up on the home page of the NSW Government legislation website. The section provides links to all the NSW COVID-related legislation, whether it’s gazetted, assented to or notified.
>
Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2020 (NSW)
The object of this Regulation is to give effect to the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct - SME Commercial Leasing Principles During COVID-19 adopted by the National Cabinet on 7 April 2020. In particular, the Regulation (a) prohibits and regulates the exercise of certain rights of lessors relating to the enforcement of certain commercial leases during the COVID-19 pandemic period, and (b) requires, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, that lessors and lessees renegotiate the rent and other terms of those commercial leases in good faith having regard to the leasing principles set out in the National Code of Conduct, before any legal enforcement action of the terms of those commercial leases can be commenced. Read more.
>
Amendments to the Fair Work Commission Rules 2013
The Fair Work Commission Rules 2013 have been amended through the Fair Work Commission Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Rules 2020. The amendments, which will commence from 1 May 2020, provide that: it is voluntary for parties to advise the Fair Work Commission that they are represented by a lawyer or paid agent; references to “statutory declaration” in the Fair Work Commission Rules 2013 are substituted for “declaration”; and the application process for approval of enterprise agreements has been amended.
 
LEGAL UPDATES powered by LSJ
Ethics
A lawyer’s duty of confidence and the advancement of justice
By Justice Emilios Kyrou >
Business law
New laws passed to tackle illegal phoenix activity
By Danny Adno >
 
IN THE PRESS
>
>
>
>
>
>