2026 Law Society Council Election, John Hennessy Legal Scholarship and other legal news and events
Supporting the future of rural practice
One of the greatest privileges of my role is spending time with solicitors across rural, regional and remote NSW, and I look forward to welcoming many of you to Sydney for our Rural Issues Conference.
Important Information – 2026 Law Society Council Election
The Law Society Council election process will commence in late August when the Notice of Forthcoming Election is issued. Solicitor members with a unique email address recorded with the Law Society will receive an invitation to vote electronically. Members without a unique email address recorded with the Law Society will receive a hardcopy ballot paper and voting instructions. If you wish to receive a hardcopy paper ballot, please advise here by no later than COB 31 August 2026.
LEGAL UPDATES
CONSUMER LAW A new era for consumer protection: Australia’s unfair trading practices regime explained
By Anita Thompson, Amy Riley, Gabrielle Byrne & Isabelle Lim
Industrial Relations Commission – New and updated Practice Notes and Form
The Industrial Relations Commission has published Practice Note 39 (with effect from 5 August 2026), which provides for the conduct of Paperless Hearings. The Commission may now direct that a hearing be conducted electronically, with all documents filed and tendered in digital form and all documentary material viewed electronically. The Commission has also made the following amendments effective 10 August 2026:
Practice Note 35 and Form 64A: revised requirements concerning the identification of the person or persons alleged to have sexually harassed an applicant.
August 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
Staying Well in the Law: Understanding workplace incivility
Thursday 20 August 2026
Applications closing soon 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.
EXTERNAL EVENTS
Federal Court of Australia 50th Anniversary National Practice Area Seminar Series: Commercial and Corporations Wednesday 19 August | Livestream | 7.00pm (AEST) The former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and former judge of the Federal Court, the Hon. Robert French AC, will present on the topic: Statutes, common law and common method: The case of consumer protection and competition law in the Federal Court. More information
Early bird sale ends today - Racial Justice Conference 2026
Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September 2026 | Tea Rooms QVB, Sydney
Join the Racial Justice Conference 2026, bringing together lawyers, academics, policymakers, community leaders, and activists. This conference will explore key issues in racial justice through workshops, panel discussions, and thought leadership. Register here
2026 Bathurst Lecture
Thursday 10 September 2026 | Banco Court, Queens Square | 5.30pm The lecture will be delivered by Rebecca Maslen-Stannage, addressing the challenges facing directors of ASX-listed companies from both a legal and commercial perspective. Register here
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