Monday Briefs

3 August

Your weekly professional update
3 August 2020
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

New National Agreement on Closing the Gap is an historic step

The Law Society has long advocated for a nationally coordinated approach that works with Indigenous Australians to decide how policies and targets are developed and delivered, particularly in relation to the over-representation of Indigenous people in the justice system.

The new National Agreement on Closing the Gap, the first between all three levels of Australian governments and representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, is an historic step in our nation’s commitment to work collectively across all jurisdictions and close the disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Continue reading >
 
 
NEWS
Nominations now open for President’s Medal 2020
The Law Society of NSW President’s Medal recognises our most outstanding members. If you or someone you know has made a significant personal and professional contribution to the improvement of law and justice in the community, please nominate now.
Managing technology and data risks
To assist lawyers in navigating the ‘new normal’, the Law Society of NSW and NSW Young Lawyers invite to you join a panel of experts as they explore ways to manage new risks from new operating arrangements while continuing to capture the benefits of more agile ways of working beyond COVID-19. Learn more and register.
Children's Court
The President of the Children’s Court has issued Public Notice 7, dated 2 August 2020. The Children’s Court acknowledges the increase in the number of locally acquired COVID-19 cases within NSW and has reviewed practices in response to the advice of health authorities and Youth Justice. As a result, changes have been made to minimise the risk of the virus entering a custodial setting and will apply on and from Monday 3 August 2020.
Food delivery service to help FoodBank NSW & ACT
There's still time to order – choose between Greek slow baked lamb shank parcels, village bread, spiced walnut cake and thick honey yoghurt, or French beef bourguignon, ultra-decadent mash and a caramel slice. Order by 8am Tuesday for Friday delivery and don't forget to check the new menu every Tuesday morning. All profits go to support the 2020 President's Charity FoodBank NSW & ACT.
 
 
WHAT'S ON
Mindfulness Series with Michael Bunting: Mindful Relationships
4 August 2020
Practice Management Course
10, 11, 12 August 2020
Growing Participation and Excellence for In-House Pro Bono
11 August 2020
Alternative Dispute Resolution – The Steady Rise of Arbitration and Mediation
18 August 2020
Online Courts and the future of justice with Professor Richard Susskind OBE
19 August 2020
The Reception, Quality and Evaluation of Scientific Evidence in Australian Courts
19 August 2020
The Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration (AIJA) Online Conference Series: Providing Justice in a Viral World
26 August – 30 September 2020
FLIP Stream: Change Leadership for Small Law Firms
1 September 2020
Government Solicitors Week
7-11 September 2020
NSW YOUNG LAWYERS
NSW REGIONAL LAW SOCIETIES
EVENTS CALENDAR
LAWINFORM CPD CALENDAR
 
 
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
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NSW to expand the use of the Digital Driver Licence  
The NSW Government is planning to introduce legislation later this year that will allow the Digital Driver Licence (DDL) to be accepted wherever a plastic driver licence can be used. This will enable a broader range of industries under NSW legislation and in other jurisdictions to accept the DDL as evidence of permission to drive, proof of age and identity. Visit the Service NSW website for information about the NSW Digital Driver Licence and resources for licence checkers.
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Transfer (stamp) duty changes for first home buyers
The NSW Government has announced that the threshold above which transfer duty is charged on new homes for first home buyers will increase from the current $650,000 to $800,000, with the concession reducing on higher values before phasing out at $1 million. The transfer duty threshold on vacant land will also rise from $350,000 to $400,000 and will phase out at $500,000. The changes apply from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021. Read more.
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NSW Land Registry Services
NSW Land Registry Services has published a Lease of Premises Checklist to assist with the preparation of leases of premises and annexed premises plans for lodgement with NSW LRS. NSW Land Registry Services has also released an online survey to gather industry input on improving Deposited and Strata Plans in NSW. The survey closes on 14 August 2020 and is available here.
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Family Court/Federal Circuit Court National Enquiry Centre (NEC)
The courts have provided these tips for NEC users:
  • Limit NEC enquiries to a single channel, preferably Live Chat.
  • If emailing the NEC, do not cc enquiries@familylawcourts.gov.au.
  • Update clients about dates and times to reduce client traffic on the NEC. Clients can register on the Commonwealth Courts Portal at registerme@comcourts.gov.au.
  • Avoid the NEC at lunchtime – a peak period for self-represented litigant enquiries.
 
LEGAL UPDATES powered by LSJ
Constitutional law
Fresh Insights from the Palace Letters and the role of the then Chief Justice of the High Court
By Mark Tedeschi AM QC >
Employment
Redundancy pay: nothing ordinary about losing a contract
By Jack de Flamingh >
 
IN THE PRESS
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