Inbrief

Vale Robert Anthony Gray (1942 - 2007)

Robert Gray of the�Eleventh Floor Wentworth/Selborne Chambers died on Sunday, 18 November.�A requiem mass will be held on **Thursday, 22 November **at 10am in St Joseph's Catholic Church,...

Congressional hearing on "enhanced" interrogration methods

Earlier this month the US House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary�conducted�an oversight hearing�entitled: "Torture and the Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment of...

Crimes Amendment (Consent - Sexual Assault Offences) Bill 2007

The Crimes Amendment (Consent - Sexual Assault Offences) Bill 2007�has passed both houses of parliament without further amendment�after it was agreed to in principle�by the Legislative...

Web update: Documenting democracy

Documenting Democracy is a�fascinating web page presented by the National Archives of Australia. It contains key documents which "tell the story of Australia's democracy". Click on the map of...

A threat to privilege? The ALRC discussion paper

The ALRC (Australian Law Reform Commission) has been investigating the abrogation of legal professional privilege. Some of the draft proposals of the ALRC raise issues of concern in connection with...

Papers to note: Local Government Area Crime Report for Newcastle

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research today announced the release of the Local Government Area Crime Report for Newcastle. Each�report contains maps showing the location of all the...

Legislation to note: Miscellaneous Acts (Local Court) Amendment Bill 2007 (NSW)

The Miscellaneous Acts (Local Court) Amendment Bill 2007 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly and was agreed in principle on 13 November. According to the explanatory note, the object of this...

Lions in Conflict: Bacon, Coke and Ellesmere - Treason and Unity, by Chief Justice Spigelman

Chief Justice Spigelman’s second lecture in his series: “Lions in Conflict: Bacon, Coke and Ellesmere - Treason and Unity" was delivered on�14 November 2007. The first lecture may be...

Legislation to note: Local Court Bill 2007

The Local Court Bill 2007�_was introduced into the New South Wales�Legislative Assembly and received its�agreement in principle�speech on 13 November 2007. According to the...

New library system for recalling items

The Bar Library has installed a new system that automatically generates recall and overdue notices and distributes them via e-mail.

The rules for loans:

>> Books may be borrowed for up to one week...

Local Court Practice Note No.7 of 2007: Listing Procedure for Summary Criminal Trials

This Practice Note applies where a plea of not guilty is entered in respect of proceedings for summary offences, including proceedings for indictable offences that are being dealt with summarily. It...

Congress passes law to protect client legal privilege

The United States House of Representatives has passed the Attorney-Client Protection Act, _which�is supported by the�_American Bar Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Bill,...

Legislation to note: Crimes Amendment (Consent - Sexual Assault Offences) Bill 2007

The Crimes Amendment (Consent - Sexual Assault Offences) Bill 2007�passed the�Legislative Council on 13 November with a government amendment�that requires the�attorney...

Barristers welcome at the new Elizabeth Street Blood Donor Centre

To increase the convenience of donating blood the Australian Red Cross Blood Service�has opened a blood donor centre at 20 Elizabeth Street (near Channel Seven). Members of the Bar are invited...

Law Council Project to Encourage Family Law Dispute Resolution

A new Law Council initiative is encouraging parties involved in family law disputes to consider arbitration and mediation as an alternative method of resolving conflict. The LCA's Family Law Section...

Cases marked reportable by the Council for Law Reporting

__The following is a list of cases received and marked reportable by the Council for Law Reporting for New South Wales.

Westbury Holdings Kiama Pty Ltd and Another v Australian Securities and...

Reminder: Lions in Conflict: Bacon, Coke and Ellesmere - Treason and Unity, by Chief Justice Spigelman

You are invited to�Chief Justice Spigelman’s second lecture in his series: “Lions in Conflict: Bacon, Coke and Ellesmere - Treason and Unity". It will�take place�on...

Amendment to the District Court Rules

The District Court Rules 1973 No. 1 (NSW) have been amended by the _District Court Amendment (Entry and Recording of Judgments, Orders, Sentences, Directions or Recommendations) Rule 2007 No. 549...

Reminder: swearing-in ceremony for Stuart Fowler AM, Friday, 16 November 2007

A ceremonial sitting of the Family Court will be held for the swearing in�and welcome of the Hon Justice Stuart Fowler AM on Friday, 16 November 2007 at 9.30am in the Full Court Courtroom, level...

Late rush to join Vioxx class action

More than�1000 victims of the arthritis drug Vioxx�are said to have�joined an Australian class action in the wake of a $5 billion settlement for U.S. Vioxx users, according to a media...

New daily distribution of magistrates

His Honour Chief Magistrate Henson has released the new daily distribution of magistrates for 2008.�It�includes provision, commencing Monday, 21 January 2008, for�the magistrate's...

Law Council releases submission on regulation of migration agents

The Law Council fo Australia has published its submission on the regulation of migration agents. A discussion paper on standards in the migration advice sector was released�in September�by...

Costs agreement and disclosure precedents

The Bar Association's web site now�includes�precedents for barristers' costs agreements and disclosures. They�are offered in response to requests for precedent costs disclosure...

Increase in interest on unpaid legal costs

At its meeting on�6 November 2007, the Reserve Bank Board decided to increase the cash rate by 25 basis points to 6.75 per cent.�Accordingly the rate of interest on unpaid legal costs,...

Annual counsel fee review

The Office of Legal Services Coordination has announced a 4.3 per cent�increase in the approved rates for engagement of counsel by the Australian Government in new briefs received on or after 5...