13 July 2026

Monday Briefs

Align
Right
NEWS
Upcoming swearing-in ceremony for Joanne Palamara
On Friday 17 July 2026 at 9.00am, a full bench ceremony will be held to mark the swearing in of Joanne Palamara as a judge of the NSW District Court. If you wish to view the ceremony online, please use the following link.
LEGAL UPDATES
CRIMINAL LAW
The transformation and expansion of racial hatred laws
By Anne Twomey
PRIVACY
The privacy obligation lawyers didn’t see coming 
By Simone Herbert-Lowe
Read here >
Visit Legal Updates online
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
Parramatta Court Accessibility Pilot
The Department of Communities and Justice will run a six month pilot at Parramatta Local and District Court from 1 July 2026 to improve how accessibility concerns are identified and addressed. Report issues via courtaccessibility@dcj.nsw.gov.au. This channel allows staff and users to raise barriers and share experiences, helping inform improvements across NSW Courts.
Changes to the Young Offenders Act 1987 (NSW) and the Young Offenders Regulation 2016 (NSW)
The Law Society's Children's Legal Issues Committee has prepared a second resource for solicitors on recent youth justice reforms, summarising significant changes to the Young Offenders Act 1997 (NSW) and Young Offenders Regulation 2016 (NSW) that commenced on 1 July 2026. Access the resource.

Industrial Relations Commission new workplace conduct (workers compensation) jurisdiction
The Industrial Relations Commission has published Practice Note 38 - Workplace Conduct Proceedings (commencing 6 July), following the commencement of its new jurisdiction in workers compensation matters and introduced the following forms: an update to Form 28 - Application for leave to appeal and appeal (to be used for all appeals, not only the workplace conduct jurisdiction), Form 67 - Application to determine relevant conduct, Form 68 - Appearance – Workplace Conduct Jurisdiction, and Form 69 - Certificate pursuant to Workers Compensation Act 1987, Section 195.
July Service Directory
The latest LSJ Online Service Directory is available, featuring agency and referral listings, practices for sale or purchase, missing wills’ notices, and more. Click here.
WHAT'S ON
Tips for negotiation and settlements: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar
Wednesday 22 July 2026
REGISTER HERE
Staying Well in the Law: Sustainable success for sole practitioners and principals
Thursday 23 July 2026
Capability Booster: Intentional communication for risk management – live online workshop
Thursday 30 July 2026
REGISTER HERE
Productivity in Practice: Word hacks for lawyers
Tuesday 4 August 2026
View all CPD courses
View all events
OTHER NEWS
Applications now open for the John Hennessy Legal Scholarship
The John Hennessy Legal Scholarship supports NSW-based public sector and community legal centre solicitors who are Law Society of NSW members to undertake research or study. The scholarship covers approved travel, study and related expenses up to $10,000. Find out more and apply here.
QUICK LINKS
Image size
large