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During my term as President of the Law Society of NSW, I’ve seen countless ways solicitor members serve their profession, their colleagues, clients and the broader community. It’s nothing less than awe inspiring. More than 500 firms participate in our Pro Bono Scheme, from small regional practices already bearing heavy loads of complex and difficult legally aided matters which often don’t cover operating costs, to firms with dedicated pro-bono lawyers, or even whole teams dedicated to finding justice for those without the means to obtain proper representation. Continue reading >
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Scam Alert: Trademark/IP rights emails
The Law Society of NSW is aware of a new email scam which encourages businesses to take urgent action to protect their intellectual property (IP) or trademark. The sender impersonates a law practice or solicitor, and may claim that the solicitor/firm is registered with the Law Society of NSW.
Please exercise caution and due diligence if you or your clients receive an unexpected/unsolicited email about IP or trademark rights, and/or where a law practice or individual’s identity is being used.
If you are aware of correspondence claiming to be from a law practice or individual(s) purporting to be solicitors, please consider checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law practice or solicitor directly via independently obtained contact details.
Always be careful where you receive unsolicited information with strict time pressures attached. We also recommend you check the Register of solicitors available on the Law Society of NSW website, and verify/cross check an individual's or law practice’s practising details. Further information about this scam is available on the IP Australia website.
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Commonwealth Law Conference
The Law Council of Australia’s Federal Dispute Resolution Section will host the fourth annual Commonwealth Law Conference in Sydney on Friday, 27 February 2026. Marking 50 years of the Federal Court, the event features keynotes by Chief Justice Debra Mortimer and Justice Julie Ward. Early bird registration closes at 5pm, Friday, 19 December 2025. Register here.
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Justice Doesn’t Hibernate
The Law Society’s Access to Justice team has launched its winter pro bono campaign, Justice Doesn’t Hibernate, with the aim of growing the number of firms in our Pro Bono Scheme. By signing up, your firm can provide necessary legal assistance to individuals who are ineligible for Legal Aid or cannot afford private legal services. Whether it’s phone advice, document preparation, or court representation, your contribution can be tailored to your capacity. This week’s President Message highlights the impact already being made by more than 500 firms in NSW – join them by registering here.
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Staying Well in the Law: Communicating with clients in crisis
Wednesday 20 August 2025
REGISTER HERE
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NSW Young Lawyers trivia fundraiser night
Friday 29 August 2025
REGISTER HERE
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NSW Regional Women Lawyers - Dubbo Conference 2025
Friday 19 September 2025
REGISTER HERE
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Practical theories, practical skills for dispute resolution – in-person workshop
Thursday 25 September 2025
REGISTER HERE
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Spotlight on professional obligations: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar
Tuesday 30 September 2025
REGISTER HERE
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August Service Directory
The LSJ Online Service Directory for August remains available. Here you will find advertisements for agency and referrals, practices for sale and purchase, and much more, plus all missing wills’ notices. Read more.
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Working with First Nations Clients: Best practice approaches to providing pro bono legal services
The Australian Pro Bono Centre has released a new resource. This guide aims to assist lawyers and law firms to provide culturally safe and responsive pro bono legal services to First Nations clients. The guide can be accessed here.
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National Equal Pay Day: Join the movement for pay equity in the legal profession
Tomorrow marks National Equal Pay Day, a date that shifts annually based on how many extra days into the new financial year women in Australia must work on average to earn the same as men. This year it remains 19 August, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address the gender pay gap. The Law Society is committed to advancing pay equality in the legal profession. Find out more about our efforts and join our Charter for Advancement of Women.
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AUSTRAC digital system experience survey
AUSTRAC is conducting a research study to understand the needs of businesses to inform a better digital experience with AUSTRAC online. If you are interested in participating in the survey, please click here.
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Revenue NSW: EDR Clients - account maintenance
Revenue NSW has advised that it will be conducting a review of EDR accounts over the coming weeks. As part of this process, clients who have not processed any transactions in over two years will be contacted, with a view to cancelling inactive accounts. All communication regarding this review will be sent from edr.registration@revenue.nsw.gov.au.
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Amendments to Uniform Civil Procedure Rules and Forms
Uniform Civil Procedure (Amendment No 106) Rule 2025
Amendment No 106 commenced on 8 August 2025 and changes the restriction on the use of generative artificial intelligence to generate the content of affidavits to ensure consistency with the restriction on the use of generative artificial intelligence to generate the content of witness statements.
UCPR Forms 40 and 163
The following forms have been amended to clarify that the requirement to disclose the use of generative artificial intelligence in annexures or exhibits to affidavits and witness statements is limited to a deponent’s or maker’s knowledge:
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AI AND COPYRIGHT
The legal fight for human creativity
By Joshua Krook >
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ELECTORAL LAW
The price of politics: Australia’s new campaign finance laws unpacked
By Graeme Orr >
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