30 June 2025

Monday Briefs

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NEWS
Time is running out: renew your practising certificate today
If you do not renew your practising certificate TODAY, you will be unauthorised to engage in legal practice from tomorrow, 1 July. Renew your practising certificate here. Any questions? We are here to help. Contact The Law Society Registry on (02) 9926 0333 or by email at registry@lawsociety.com.au.
Sir Anthony Mason Constitutional Law essay competition
The Sir Anthony Mason Essay Competition is an annual event for undergraduate and Juris Doctor students. The competition winner will receive a $500 prize and have their essay published on LSJ Online. Students can take part in the competition by submitting a 1500 word essay before Sunday 31 August 2025. Learn more.
Appointment of his Honour Judge Paul McGuire SC
His Honour Judge Paul McGuire SC has been appointed to the Supreme Court of New South Wales and will sit in the Common Law Division. A formal ceremony to mark the occasion will be held in the Banco Court (Level 13), on Tuesday 8 July 2025 at 9.15am. The legal profession is invited to attend, and the President of the Law Society of NSW will speak at the ceremony. Following the ceremony, morning tea will be served in the public foyer of Level 13, at the Phillip Street end. The public ceremony will be listed in the Law List on the Friday and Monday prior, as well as on the day of the ceremony. A livestream will also be available.
Just Chat podcast: Justice Hament Dhanji
In this episode, we sit down with Justice Hament Dhanji of the Supreme Court of NSW. We explore everything from the impact of racial discrimination, to trust in institutions and the rule of law. In addition to his extensive background in criminal law as a solicitor, barrister and then Senior Counsel, on the bench Justice Dhanji has played an active role in supporting diversity and inclusion. Listen here.
WHAT'S ON
2025 Golden Gavel
Thursday 3 July 2025
REGISTER HERE
Problem solving strategies: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar
Wednesday 9 July 2025
REGISTER HERE
NSW Young Lawyers Professional Development Day 2025
Saturday 26 July 2025
REGISTER HERE
Family law fundamentals: live online workshop
Thursday 31 July and 7 August 2025
REGISTER HERE
NSW YOUNG LAWYERS
REGIONAL LAW SOCIETIES
EVENTS CALENDAR
CPD LAWINFORM CALENDAR
STUDENTS
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
July Service Directory 
The LSJ Online Service Directory for July is now 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.
Law Society launches new Pride Guide
Last week, the Law Society launched its new Pride Guide: How law firms and organisations in NSW can support LGBTQIA+ solicitors, informed by our Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The Pride Guide offers strategies for law firms and organisations to help create a LGBTQIA+ friendly workplace. The Guide was launched at the Law Society’s Pride Breakfast as keynote speaker Moya Dodd AO spoke about her remarkable careers in both law and elite football.
New podcast: Tendering sensitive or intimate images in family law matters
In family law matters, the use of sensitive images is not uncommon, and may in some circumstances have probative value. However, the decision to use them must be made with careful consideration. In a new episode of LSJ Explains, Jacqui Dawson and Brett McGrath, Co-Chairs of the Family Law Committee, shed light on a new resource which the Law Society of NSW, guided by its Family Law Committee, has developed to assist solicitors with this complex issue. Listen here.
Revenue NSW: Annual indexation of duties thresholds and base duty amounts
The new indexed amounts for duties thresholds and base duty amounts are now available on the Revenue NSW website and calculators. The new amounts apply from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Chapter 2, Part 3, Division 3 of the Duties Act 1997 provides detailed information relating to annual indexation.
Update on change of sex process: Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Act 2024
New arrangements for registering a change of sex will take effect in NSW from 1 July 2025. The Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Act 2024 (NSW) amends Part 5A of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 (NSW), making it simpler for people to register a change of sex without the need for a medical procedure. See correspondence from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, including sample documents and a factsheet, here.
Revenue NSW: Upcoming changes to Parking Space Levy regulations
From 1 July 2025, amendments to the Parking Space Levy Regulation 2019 will take effect. These changes clarify exemption categories, update district boundaries and introduce new requirements for signage and multi-vehicle space counting. Most updates apply to annual returns submitted from 1 July 2026. A new exemption for residential parking in Central Park applies from 1 July 2024. For more information is available here.
Probate List Judge and Family Provision Act List Judge
The Chief Judge in Equity of the Supreme Court of NSW has advised that from 30 June 2025, the Probate List Judge will be Justice Geoff Lindsay and the Family Provision Act List Judge will be Justice Michael Meek.
LEGAL UPDATES
CORPORATE LAW
Company directors’ duties: the current state of play
By Pamela Hanrahan >
 
FAMILY LAW
Codification and companion animals: important elements of the family law reforms
By Jacky Campbell >
IN THE PRESS
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