Inbrief

Australian Government invites UNHRC special rapporteur to visit Australia

The�Australian�Government will extend a standing invitation to the United Nations Human Rights Council�to visit Australia.

“The Government supports both the promotion of human...

New members of the Bar Association

At a meeting of Bar Council on 25 June, the person(s) listed below�were accepted as members of the New South Wales Bar Association.

Government announces the appointment of two new magistrates

Attorney General John Hatzistergos today announced the appointments of solicitors Stephen Corry and Susan McIntyre to the bench of the NSW Local Court. The two new magistrates will be sworn in on...

Latest judicial appointments

The Executive Council has approved the following four judicial appointments:

Ms Julie Kathryn Ward, as a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, effective�29 September 2008.

The Hon...

Speeches to note: Lord Mansfield and the Culture of Improvement

Chief Justice Spigelman AC has delivered an address�to the Centre for Independent Studies Consilium, which was held at Coolum on 2 August 2008. "Lord Mansfield and the Culture of Improvement"...

Confidentiality and secrecy laws to be reviewed by the ALRC

The Australian Law Reform Commission has launched an inquiry�into�secrecy and confidentiality laws. The Attorney-General has asked the ALRC to provide its final report to him by 31 October...

High Court hands down decision on copyright in survey plans

New South Wales was not entitled to use surveyors’ plans without fairly remunerating copyright owners, the High Court of Australia has decided in Copyright Agency Limited v State of New South...

You're invited to the seventh annual Supreme Court Concert

The chief justice of New South Wales cordially invites all members of the Bar, their partners and friends to an evening of music in the Banco Court on **Monday, 20 October 2008. **This year's concert...

Cases selected for reporting in NSWLR by the editor, Bret Walker SC

The following five cases will be published in a forthcoming volume of NSWLR:

Da Silva and Da Silva Constructions Pty Ltd v Bresond Pty Ltd and Another [2008] NSWSC 158 (Smart AJ) Re; Alan [2008]...

Australian Law Reform Commission launches inquiry into DNA testing online

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) and the National Heath and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have joined forces to examine rapid advances in genetic science and technology, which are...

Legislation to note: Surveillance Devices Act 2007 commenced on Friday

The Surveillance Devices Act 2007 commenced on Friday, 1 August 2008 and will allow surveillance warrants to be used by police during cross border operations once the legislation has been recognised...

Federal Court Amendment Rules 2008 (No 1)

The Federal Court Amendment Rules 2008 (No 1) were registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 1 August 2008.

The�Rule makes the following amendments to the Federal Court...

Reminder: swearing-in ceremony for Nye Perram SC

Nye Perram SC will be sworn in as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia this Friday, 8 August 2008. The ceremonial sitting will take place at 9.30am in courtroom 21A, Law Courts Building, Queens...

2008 Human Rights Medals and Awards

Nominations� are now open for the 2008 Human Rights Medals and Awards. �urging individuals and organisations to enter. This year's theme is: Dignity and justice for all of us - to celebrate...

Julie Ward appointed to the Supreme Court of New South Wales

NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos has announced he would recommend the appointment of distinguished solicitor Julie Ward to the bench of the Supreme Court of NSW. Julie Ward is the state’s...

New secretary of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department

Mr Roger Wilkins AO has been appointed as the new secretary of the Commonwealth Attorney- General’s Department. Mr Wilkins was director-general of the New South Wales Cabinet Office from 1992...

@LCA: Law Council

Download and view the Law Council's periodic e-newsletter, @theLCA. This bulletin provides timely information to lawyers about issues of national importance. Volume 27 is now available online.

This...

Refurbishment of Parramatta Courthouse begins

Parramatta Courthouse will be closed during�a $14 million upgrade, which began yesterday.�Court services�will be temporarily relocated to Parramatta Children’s Court, Sydney West...

Recent House of Lords decisions

The following opinions of the lords of appeal are available on the House of Lords web site:

Van Colle (administrator of the estate of GC (deceased)) and another (Original-Respondents and...

Cases selected for reporting in NSWLR by the editor, Bret Walker SC

The following three cases will be published in a forthcoming volume of NSWLR: Harrison v Melhem [2008] NSWCA 67 Council of the New South Wales Bar Association v Power [2008] NSWCA 135 McKee v...

Law Council urges changes to Haneef inquiry

The Law Council of Australia has�written to Attorney-General Robert McClelland, urging him to provide a proper statutory basis for the Haneef Inquiry, headed by John Clarke QC.��Law...

High Court decision in barristers' professional indemnity case

A barrister, who failed to advise that a compensation claim be filed before an amendment to the New South Wales Workers’ Compensation Act barred the claim, was not entitled to insurance to cover...

Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation Recital

Members are invited to the Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation Recital at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Sunday, 24 August 2008 at 3.00pm. The foundation aims to raise awareness of, and...

NSWLRC releases consultation paper on privacy legislation

The NSW Law Reform Commission has today released a consultation paper that opens the way for major reform of the state’s privacy laws. View Consultation Paper 3 (2008) Privacy Legislation in New...

2009 Australian Bar Association Conference - Strasbourg and London

Expressions of interest are now being taken for the Australian Bar Association Conference to be held in Strasbourg and London between 26 June and 1 July 2009. The conference will commence in...