With the Federal Government tightening its social distancing requirements over the weekend to restrict the spread of the virus, we are now being forced to adapt like never before, in every aspect of our lives.

There is no facet of Australian economic or societal activity that is not being affected by this pandemic.

As the COVID-19 situation has developed, the Law Society has been working around the clock to consider and implement measures to support members and keep the lines of communication open during these challenging times.

These include deferring the launch of the annual PC renewals process until 7 April 2020 and providing greater flexibility to complete CPD online by the 31 March deadline. It would greatly assist the successful delivery of this year’s annual PC renewals process for all legal practitioners to ensure they register for and activate their LawID before 7 April 2020.

Two weeks ago, we created a dedicated COVID-19 page on our website with judicial and court updates, access to a new wellbeing portal and information about Law Society events and services.

And last Tuesday we launched a new Daily Update e-newsletter to ensure solicitors have access to the latest COVID-19 information every afternoon. Please note that today’s Daily Update has been incorporated into Monday Briefs.

While our offices are closed during this time, we’ve implemented measures to ensure there will be minimal disruption to Law Society operations and services, with a focus on the PC renewals process. While the vast majority of our staff are now working remotely, they are available, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, by phone or email.

We understand that this is not business as usual.

We are also acutely aware of the profound impact COVID-19 is having on the legal profession, the delivery of legal services and the sustainability of law practices and are working on developing an appropriate response to support the profession.

In this uncertain world that we all find ourselves in, our priority is to support our members, in the best way we can.

We want to ensure you can continue to remain part of and connected to a community that has existed for more than 175 years, through thick and thin, good times and bad.

And to let you know that we will get through this together.

Richard Harvey, President, Law Society of NSW

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