Inbrief

As the NSWBA offices are currently closed, please ensure that completed forms are emailed to pcd@nswbar.asn.au

Members are advised that failure to provide the External Examiner’s report by 7 June 2020 may result in delays to the processing of practising certificate renewal.

Members are advised in this regard that, although the Bar Association is regularly updating the COVID-19 page of its website as information comes to hand, please refer to the latest court resources directly as developments are changing quickly at this time. Do not make any assumptions regarding your case without first doing so. Links to the various court and tribunal pages are provided in the body of the guide.

For more information about stamp duty exemptions, and to check if you are eligible to claim, please visit Revenue NSW. Alternatively, please contact your insurance provider direct.

Members are advised in this regard that, although the Bar Association is regularly updating the COVID-19 page of its website as information comes to hand, please refer to the latest court resources directly as developments are changing quickly at this time. Do not make any assumptions regarding your case without first doing so. Links to the various court and tribunal pages are provided in the body of the guide.

• Common Law Division: Manager of Listing Services, Mr Milio Cesta-lncani via email to Milio.Cesta-lncani@justice.nsw.gov.au or Manager of Client Services, Ms Naomi Ubrihien via email to naomi.ubrihien@justice.nsw.gov.au

COVID-19: Information for Attending Court

The New South Wales Bar Association’s consolidated guide to COVID-19-related court arrangements has today again been updated in terms of recent developments, and includes today's Microsoft Teams Practitioner’s Fact Sheet from the NSW Land and Environment Court.

Members are advised in this regard that, although the Bar Association is regularly updating the COVID-19 page of its website as information comes to hand, please refer to the latest court resources directly as developments are changing quickly at this time. Do not make any assumptions regarding your case without first doing so. Links to the various court and tribunal pages are provided in the body of the guide.

Members are advised in this regard that, although the Bar Association is regularly updating the COVID-19 page of its website as information comes to hand, please refer to the latest court resources directly as developments are changing quickly at this time. Do not make any assumptions regarding your case without first doing so. Links to the various court and tribunal pages are provided in the body of the guide.

Members are advised in this regard that, although the Bar Association is regularly updating the COVID-19 page of its website as information comes to hand, please refer to the latest court resources directly as developments are changing quickly at this time. Do not make any assumptions regarding your case without first doing so. Links to the various court and tribunal pages are provided in the body of the guide.

Members (not just those holding a practising certificate) who wish to be considered for appointment to a committee on the list should complete the form, indicating the committees for which they wish to be considered and their relevant experience. Existing members of committees (except for Professional Conduct Committees, as outlined below) who wish to continue on a particular committee should also complete the form.

Expressions of interest will close at 5pm on Monday 15 June 2020.

The Association is very fortunate that we have many more volunteers for committees than can possibly be accommodated. The President has therefore asked that members restrict their choice of committees to no more than two. In confirming committee membership, the President seeks to ensure that all parts of the Bar — geographically, practice areas and seniority — are represented on each committee.

Please note that until new committees are established and promulgated, the existing committees continue unchanged. The existing appointments to various working parties and representatives for the Association continue unless and until the President determines otherwise.

Acknowledgement of your expression of interest will be emailed to you within 24 hours. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact committees@nswbar.asn.au.

Professional Conduct Committees

Following consultation with the President, it has been decided not to call for expressions of interest for the Professional Conduct Committees (PCCs) this year to ensure continuity to support a number of ongoing matters. However, it is appreciated that members’ circumstances may have changed, so if any existing PCC member wishes to stand down, please contact Jocelyn Sparks, Director Professional Conduct on jsparks@nswbar.asn.au.

Inquests and Inquiries Committee

This year the Association is seeking expressions of interest for a new Inquests and Inquiries Committee (IIC). It is anticipated that the IIC will likely be called on to assist the Bar Council, Executive and Department of Policy and Public Affairs in preparing a number of policy submissions in response to requests for consultation by governments, parliaments, inquiries and other reform bodies. The IIC has been included on the new form and we welcome applications.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to the Bar. We look forward to receiving your applications.

Greg Tolhurst

Executive Director

25 May 2020

Please consider contributing to help build the evidence base on how remote justice is being delivered.

The primary focus of the Supreme Court's Protocol is upon the health and wellbeing of court users, recognising the need to limit the number of people within the Court precinct. The Court will continue to monitor and assess matters before it, and the Protocol recognises that some matters may remain in the virtual courtroom environment and that others may involve a hybrid model, where part of the proceedings occur face-to-face within the courtroom, while other parts are conducted by virtual courtroom methods.

The Chief Justice has indicated that he regards the Bar Association’s Protocol for In-Person Hearings while Social Distancing, which was published last week, as being consistent with the Supreme Court’s Protocol.

I encourage members to carefully read and have regard to the Supreme Court’s Protocol. I also encourage members to have regard to the Bar Association’s Protocols for In-Person Hearings while Social Distancing and for Remote Hearings which, together with Supreme Court’s Protocol, should provide useful guidance for appearances in Courts and Tribunals generally, subject of course to the particular directions applying in those Courts and Tribunals.

COVID-19: Information for Attending Court

The New South Wales Bar Association’s consolidated guide to COVID-19-related court arrangements has today again been updated in terms of recent developments, and includes:

• the Supreme Court's ​Re-issued Common Law Practice Notes CL 1,3,4 and 6, effective Monday 25 May; and

• Chief Magistrate’s Memorandum No 11 COVID-19 Arrangements - Listing of Defended Hearings with Persons in Custody where the Hearing has been Previously Abandoned and Changes to Arrangements set out in Previous Memoranda.

Members are advised in this regard that, although the Bar Association is regularly updating the COVID-19 page of its website as information comes to hand, please refer to the latest court resources directly as developments are changing quickly at this time. Do not make any assumptions regarding your case without first doing so. Links to the various court and tribunal pages are provided in the body of the guide.