Inbrief

New South Wales takes inaugural football match in penalty shootout

The inaugural NSW Bar v Victorian Bar football match was held on Saturday in appalling conditions.�The�NSW Bar�drew 2-2 with Victoria�during normal time,�but...

Update on the condition of Chris Branson QC

Chris Branson QC was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident on the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Monday, 1 September. He remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital. His...

Full house at the Federal Criminal Law Conference

The Federal Criminal Law Conference, sponsored by the Bar Association, the Law Council and ThomsonReuters, got underway this morning. Guest speakers included�Stephen Keim SC and Mark Ierace SC....

President's speech delivered at Macfarlan J's swearing-in

The Hon Justice Robert Macfarlan was sworn in on�Monday, 8 September at a ceremony in the Banco Court. President Anna Katzmann SC spoke on behalf of the New South Wales Bar.

Download a copy of...

Final reminder: Inaugural NSW Bar v Victorian Bar football match

The inaugural NSW Bar v Victorian Bar football match will kick off at St Andrews Oval, University of Sydney, tomorrow at 3.00pm. The curtain-raiser will be a game between the NSW Bar and the NSW...

Transcripts from recent High Court ceremonial sittings

Transcripts from the recent ceremonial sittings of the High Court are now available. On Friday, 29 August 2008, a ceremonial sitting was held to farewell Chief Justice A M Gleeson AC.�On Monday,...

Extension of time for Haneef Inquiry

Attorney-General Robert McClelland has agreed to a request by the Hon John Clarke QC for an extension of the reporting date for the Clarke Inquiry into the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef until 14 November...

Federal Court issues new Practice Note on investment accounts

On 2 September 2008 the chief justice of the Federal Court issued a new _Practice Note No 28 – Investment Accounts _under Order 63 rule 5 Federal Court Rules.�Download a�copy of...

Federal Court revisions of Practice Note No 13

On 4 September 2008 the chief justice replaced _Practice Note No 13 – Service of Documents Outside Australia _with a new Practice Note No 13.��Download a�copy of the new Practice...

Proceedings under the Patents Act

The NSW District Registry of the Federal Court of Australia has issued the Notice to� Practitioners - Proceedings under the Patents Act 1990 (Cth). This notice outlines the procedures for...

Appointment to the Supreme Court of Victoria

The Victorian Government today appointed David Beach SC, as a judge to the Supreme Court of Victoria. Acting Attorney-General John Lenders said Mr Beach would bring a wealth of experience in common...

Speeches to note: swearing-in of the Hon Justice Jayne Jagot

The Hon Justice Jayne Jagot was sworn in at a ceremonial sitting of the Federal Court yesterday, 3 September 2008. President Anna Katzmann SC spoke on behalf of the Law Council of Australia, as well...

Just for Juniors: a panel discussion on the early years at the bar

The New Barristers Committee will present a panel discussion on hints and tips for the early years of practice. There will be a practical focus, and opportunity for questions. The panel will comprise...

Tonight: 15 Bobber for the Hon Justice Lindsay Foster

To celebrate the appointment of the Hon Justice Lindsay Foster to the Federal Court of Australia a 15 Bobber will be held tonight. Speaking for Justice�Foster will be John Nicholas SC. The 15...

Australian Government announces new Indigenous law and justice advisory body

Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus has�invited Indigenous Australians to participate in the�development of a new national Indigenous law and justice advisory body. Nationwide...

NSW Ombudsman's FOI review: have your say

The NSW Ombudsman has released a discussion paper�as part of�its review of freedom of information laws in�this state. The public discussion paper provides members�with�an...

A new look for the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC)�has been 're-branded'�as the Australian Human Rights Commission and given a new mission statement.�The commission's logo has...

Last chance to register for the Federal Criminal Law Conference and Conference Dinner, Friday 5 September 2008

The New South Wales Bar Association and the Law Council of Australia are hosting the Federal Criminal Law Conference this Friday, 5 September 2008 in Sydney. The primary purpose of the one day...

Judicial Commission Civil Trials Bench Book now available online

The Judicial Commission of New South Wales has advised that its Civil Trials Bench Book is now available�online.

The Civil Trials Bench Book is now available free of charge through the...

Official opening of Indigenous Art Exhibition, 5.30pm this afternoon

You are invited to an exceptional exhibition of fine Indigenous art from the Papunya Region and Utopia people of Central Australia. Ars Musica Australia (AMA), together with the Indigenous Barristers...

Request for donation of Supreme Court Rules to Crown Law Office, Tonga

The Association is seeking members who may be able to assist with a request from the Crown Law Office in Tonga.

A large number of books�have been destroyed�when the Office was burnt down...

NSW Attorney General's Department policy on robing rooms

The NSW Attorney General's Department has recently confirmed with the Association that it is Departmental policy to provide robing room facilities for barristers in courthouses.

In response to...

Australian Bar praises Commonwealth Attorney-General's consultation on judicial appointments

The President of the Australian Bar Association, Mr Tom Bathurst QC, has praised the consultative approach taken by the Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland, MP, to recent...

Increase in interest on unpaid legal costs

At its meeting on 2 September 2008, the Reserve Bank Board decided to decrease the cash rate by 25 basis points to 7 per cent, effective 3 September 2008. Accordingly the rate of interest on unpaid...

Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research 2007 NSW Criminal Courts Statistics Annual Report

The Bureau of Crime Staistics and Research ("BOCSAR") today released its 2007 NSW Criminal Courts Statistics Annual Report. The Report�shows further increases in the percentage of New South...