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Honouring our past; shaping our future
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As I prepare these brief remarks to introduce myself as your President for 2026, I feel the weight of the history of this role as I reflect on the solicitors who came together over 160 years ago, to ‘promote good feeling and fair and honourable practice amongst members of the profession …’.
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Getting ready for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) compliance
The upcoming AML/CTF reforms will introduce new obligations for parts of the legal profession, making early preparation essential. Our latest checklist provides a practical starting point, helping practices understand the key obligations as well as other important operations and compliance considerations. Read the checklist to understand the steps your practice should be taking now. Find out more.
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Expressions of interest for Mediators Panel and the Family Law Settlement Service Panel for 2026-2027
The Law Society of NSW’s Access to Justice Department is seeking expressions of interest from practitioners for two-year terms on the panels, for the years 2026 and 2027. Current panellists are not automatically rolled over; therefore, all outgoing panellists from 2024-2025 must submit a new expression of interest form for 2026-2027. Please complete this form and return it to a2j@lawsociety.com.au by 5.00pm on Friday, 13 February 2026.
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Expressions of interest for Specialist Accreditation Board and Advisory Committee placements
The Specialist Accreditation Program is calling for expressions of interest from practitioners seeking placement for two-year terms on the 2027 Advisory Committees. Placements commence from July 2026 within the areas of Business Law, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Law, Property Law, Public Law, and Wills & Estates. Submit your expression of interest here. We are also seeking expressions of interest from Specialists interested in applying for a position on the Specialist Accreditation Board. Submit your expression of interest here.
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Ask a Specialist: Register for our Q&A sessions
Are you considering applying for the 2026 Specialist Accreditation Program, or have you applied for the Program and have questions? Registrations are now open for our Q&A sessions, giving you the opportunity to hear from the experts about their experience as Accredited Specialists and to ask any questions you may have about the Program. All Q&A sessions will be held online from 5.30pm to 6.30pm from Monday, 16 February 2026 to Thursday, 19 February 2026 in the areas of Children’s Law, Dispute Resolution, Elder Law, Employment & Industrial Law, Family Law, Immigration Law, Personal Injury and Planning & Environment Law. View the Q&A timetable and register now.
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Mental Fitness in the Law Training and Research Program: Registrations now open
Macquarie University invites practising and graduate lawyers to participate in the Mental Fitness in the Law Program, a six-week resilience training program delivered as part of a national research initiative. The program teaches structured reflective practice to help lawyers strengthen the mental resources needed to manage the stressors inherent in legal work. Participation is CPD-compliant, time-efficient, and offered at no cost. Learn more and register here.
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Upcoming Opening of Law Term religious services
A number of religious services are held to mark the Opening of Law Term. Please find below the details of the services we have been advised will be taking place in the coming weeks. We will update this list in future Monday Briefs:
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Red Mass Sydney 2026 on Monday, 2 February 2026 from 9.00am to 11.00am at St Mary's Cathedral. Find out more.
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2026 Armenian-Australian Community Commencement of Law Term on Wednesday, 4 February 2026 from 7.00pm to 10.00pm at Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection. RSVP here.
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for the Australian legal profession – online workshop
Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 February 2026
REGISTER HERE
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Productivity in Practice: Shaping high-performing legal teams
Tuesday 10 February 2026
REGISTER HERE
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Legal drafting intensive – in-person workshop (Day 1 and 2)
Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 February 2026
REGISTER HERE
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Newcastle Local Practitioners and New Admittees Dinner
Thursday 12 March 2026
REGISTER HERE
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Solicitor's Guide to Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence - updated January 2026
The Law Society of NSW has recently updated A Solicitor’s Guide to Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence to remain current with developments to generative AI and to include further direction on emerging issues and cases of AI misuse. The updated guide can be accessed here.
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Updated Workplace Guide and Model Discrimination and Harassment Policies
The Law Society of NSW has released an updated Workplace Guide and Model Discrimination and Harassment Policies (the Guide), reflecting key legislative changes since the Guide's launch in 2021 - including new Respect@Work and psychosocial hazard obligations. The updated Guide helps practitioners and employers understand their responsibilities under NSW and Commonwealth law and provides practical tools to support compliance. View and download the guide.
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5th edition of Children's Representation Principles released
Lawyers representing children involved in legal proceedings now have updated resources to support them in providing the highest quality of legal representation, with the release of the 5th edition of the Representation Principles for Children’s Lawyers. This resource for lawyers representing children in criminal law, family law, and care and protection matters, recognises that children require skilful legal advice and support to navigate legal proceedings that affect them. View and download the resource.
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Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia practice and procedure form updates
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has updated several forms, including the Application for Review for family law and child support proceedings, the Application for Review for general federal law and migration matters, the Notice of Ceasing to Act, the Financial Statement Kit and Financial Statement form, the Superannuation Information Kit instruction pages, the Application for Consent Orders kit instruction pages, and the Balance Sheet. Details on the updates and links to the updated forms can be found here.
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Bank of Queensland ceasing to offer Statutory Trust Accounts
Bank of Queensland have advised the Law Society of NSW that they will be ceasing to offer NSW Solicitor’s Statutory Trust Account products. Bank of Queensland has given notice to impacted customers of their intention to close Statutory Trust Accounts on or before Friday, 29 May 2026. The Authorised Deposit-Taking Institutions (ADI’s) authorised to offer statutory trust account products in NSW are listed on the Law Society of NSW's website. If you have any queries or require assistance transitioning ADIs, please contact the Chief Trust Account Investigator by email.
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District Court Practice Note 36
The District Court of NSW has published a practice note on the Management of Criminal Proceedings listed in Wollongong District Court. See the full practice note.
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EVIDENCE
New approaches in expert evidence: the High Court on transparency
By Dr Ian Freckelton AO KC >
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COSTS
Costs cases post-Birketu: law firms and the employed solicitor rule
By Matthew Lo >
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