Monday Briefs

22 March

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Your weekly professional update

22 March 2021
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Our thoughts go out to all our colleagues dealing with the devastating floods

Our thoughts go out to all our colleagues dealing with the devastating floods across the state over the weekend, particularly those with homes, properties and practices on the North and Central Coast and in the Newcastle, Hunter and Hawkesbury-Nepean regions. Continue reading >

 
NEWS
Amendments to the Migration Act 1958 commence today
From today 22 March 2021, amendments to the Migration Act 1958 will commence, allowing an Australian legal practitioner to provide immigration assistance in connection with legal practice. For updated information, fact sheets and links to the OMARA’s updated Form 956, and who will need to complete the OMARA’s Form 1548, visit the regulatory updates page.
2021/22 membership fees
We are proud to have implemented several new initiatives in 2020 to support the profession. To allow us to continue to meet the needs of the profession and develop more diverse services and resources to support our members, our 2021/22 membership fees will revert to the 2019 price of $400 (excl. GST).
Introducing humm
We have partnered with humm as an alternative payment option for your 2021/22 practising certificate and membership. Humm allows you to pay your fees in easy slices over time. Choose from either five fortnightly or 10 weekly interest-free repayments. Be ready for renewals. Sign up today.
Applications for the 2021 Specialist Accreditation program close on 31 March
It only takes 25 minutes to complete your application and take that first step to have your expertise recognised. See the assessment requirements and apply here.
Food delivery service for charity
Choose from a Mexican fiesta of pulled pork enchiladas in a rich tomato sauce with melted cheese, lime guacamole, Mexican corn and bean salad, and sour cream, and French crullers with chocolate fudge sauce for dessert. Or enjoy beef cheeks slow braised in tomato olive and thyme sugo, along with house-made spaetzle, spiced and roasted capsicum sambal, followed up by vanilla slice glazed with passionfruit for dessert. Order by 8am Tuesday for Friday delivery.
 
 
WHAT'S ON
Social Media Risk and Opportunity: what to do from a legal perspective
23 March 2021
Law Society CPD: Trust accounting for lawyers (live online workshop)
24 March 2021
Courting innovation webinar: Australia’s judicial system in the context of COVID-19
24 March 2021
Law Society CPD: Mandatory rule 6.1 – all law (live webinar)
25 March 2021
LAWASIA and The German Federal Bar: State Measures to Save Business during the Pandemic in Asia and Europe
25 March 2021
NSW Law Careers Fair 2021
26 March 2021
Toongabbie Legal Centre – 2021 Employment & Industrial Law MCLE
26 March 2021
Toongabbie Legal Centre – 2021 Rule 6.1 Mandatory Components MCLE
27 March 2021
Thought Leadership Series: Climate change An emerging role for legal practitioners
31 March 2021
NSW YOUNG LAWYERS
NSW REGIONAL LAW SOCIETIES
EVENTS CALENDAR
LAWINFORM CPD CALENDAR
 
 
PROCLAMATIONS
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PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
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Cybercrime alert – Immediate action required
Microsoft has released information regarding multiple exploits being used to compromise instances of Microsoft Exchange Server. Please pay attention, especially if you are still using the following versions of Microsoft Exchange: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, Microsoft Exchange Server 2016, and Microsoft Exchange Server 2019. Read more.
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Supreme Court Probate Division: Probate Accounts Pilot
The NSW Supreme Court invites interested practitioners to observe two hearings to be conducted under the Probate Accounts Pilot (via the virtual court) on 25 March 2021 and 31 March 2021 at 2pm. Contact the Registry for log-in details on 1300 679 272 or email sc.enquiries@justice.nsw.gov.au.
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22 March 2021 eConveyancing mandate: are you eligible for an exemption?
A reminder that from 22 March 2021, a further 29 documents will no longer be accepted via paper lodgment at NSW LRS unless signed prior to that date or an exemption under Waiver No: CR 1/2021 applies. Read more
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Abolition of certificates of title 
On 17 March 2021, the Real Property Amendment (Certificates of Title) Bill 2021 was introduced into Parliament. This Bill facilitates the abolition of paper certificates of title later this year, as well as abolishing the CoRD Holder Consent process (read more here). The Office of the Registrar General has also established a webpage to provide updates and guidance throughout the transition.
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Strata hub consultation - Easier access to strata information
The online consultation easier access to strata information survey has been extended until Friday 2 April 2021. Part of the survey is targeted at professionals who work with strata schemes or in the strata sector.
 
LEGAL UPDATES powered by LSJ
Risk
Limitation periods: Simple? Not always
By Jennifer O’Brien  >
Defamation
Defamation and reform of the statutory defence of contextual truth
By Jeremy Harrison >
 
IN THE PRESS
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Appointment to The Federal Court of Australia
– Attorney-General for Australia and Minister for Industrial Relations
 
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