Inbrief

The Hon Justice Robert French named the new chief justice of the High Court

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Attorney-General Robert McClelland have announced the appointment of Justice Robert French as chief justice of the High Court. Justice French will begin his appointment...

Prosecuting and Judging War Crimes in Emerging Courts

David Re, of Frederick Jordan Chambers, has been appointed to the position of international judge on the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that country's highest trial and appellate court. This...

Australian Government announces changes to immigration detention system

The minister for immigration and citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today announced changes to Australia’s system of mandatory detention for unlawful non-citizens. Unauthorised boat arrivals will...

Cases selected for reporting in FCR by V Kline

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

ASIC v P Dawson Nominees Pty Ltd�[2008] FCAFC 123�Heerey, Moore, Tracey JJ SZIZO v Minister for Immigration and...

Cases selected for reporting in Commonwealth Law Reports by J D Merralls QC

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

Adams v The Queen [2008] HCA 15

Lumbers v W Cook Builders [2008] HCA 27

** 29 July 2008**

Funeral arrangements for Matthew Bracks

A funeral will be held for Matthew Bracks at 10.00am on Saturday, 2 August, in the school chapel at St Aloysius College,�47 Upper Pitt Street, Kirribilli.

30�July 2008

Attorney foreshadows simpler regime for access to court documents

Attorney General John Hatzistergos has announced�plans for a�new, simpler regime governing public and media access to court documents. The NSW Government will adopt the recommendations made...

Criminal Lawyers Association of the Northern Territory Bali Conference

Members are invited to the biennial Criminal Lawyers Association of the Northern Territory Conference in Bali, on 27 June - 5 July 2009. Some excellent speakers will be delivering papers at the...

Watch the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the Bar Common Room

Continuous coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics is available to all members via the big screen projector in the Bar Common Room.

13 August 2008

Advanced skills training for mediators

Members who are attending the 9th National Mediation Conference in Perth on 10-12 September, may wish to�attend **Jim Cyngler's advanced mediation training course, **which precedes the...

Federal, state and territory attorneys-general meet in New Zealand

The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG)�has�been meeting in New Zealand.�They��discussed more than�20 matters of substantive legal reforms for all...

New South Wales Government proposes changes to workers' compensation death benefits

The New South Wales Government has announced that it will legislate during the next parliament to increase the lump sum paid if a worker dies from a work related incident. The amount will increase...

Legislation to note: Surveillance Devices Act 2007

The Surveillance Devices Act 2007 has been proclaimed and will commence on�1 August 2008.

25 July 2008

Award for Excellence in Judicial Administration: call for nominations

To mark the 25th anniversary of its establishment, the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration will hold�a biennial AIJA Excellence in Judicial Administration Award. The award is...

Under Sixes Dinner: all welcome

The New Barristers Committee invites you to attend the 2008 Under Sixes Dinner. The dinner is an informal social event for members under six years call and those who would like to support the newer...

Treaty on trans-Tasman court proceedings and regulatory enforcement

Australia and New Zealand will tomorrow sign a treaty on trans-Tasman court proceedings and regulatory enforcement. These reforms are based on recommendations made in December 2006 by theTrans-Tasman...

Freedom of information laws: changes are afoot

Cabinet Secretary, Senator John Faulkner today announced that Cabinet has agreed to abolish "conclusive certificates", allowing the�Administrative Appeals Tribunal to undertake a full merits...

A comparison of Australasian workers' compensation schemes

The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) today published the latest edition of the Comparison of Workers’ Compensation Arrangements in Australia and New Zealand, providing...

Cases selected for reporting in Federal Court Reports by V Kline

The following four cases will be published in a forthcoming volume of FCR:

Adultshop.com Ltd v Members of Classification Review Board�[2008] FCAFC 79 Sundberg, Emmett, Siopis�JJ....

Appointment of senior counsel in the Australian Capital Territory

The president of the ACT Bar Association, George Brzostowski SC, has announced the appointment of two new senior counsel.�In order of their dates of first admission, they are:

**Christopher...

Motor Accidents Authority Claims Assessment Guidelines

New MAS and CARS guidelines with respect to the procedures to be followed by claims assessors have been gazetted and are due to commence on 1 October 2008. Visit the MAA web site for more information... Read more >

NSW Government to conduct trial of Youth Conduct Orders

Attorney General John Hatzistergos has announced a pilot scheme for Youth Conduct Orders. in New England, Campbelltown and Mount Druitt area commands,�beginning December 2008. According to the...

Papers to note: Reforming Our Constitution

On 23 June 2008, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs released its report, Reforming Our Constitution: A Roundtable Discussion. To progress public...

Legalwise Seminars presents: Performance Skills for Advocates

On Friday, 1 August 2008, Legalwise Seminars will host a workshop on expert communication skills for advocates. Develop your skills in voice projection and expression, powerful use of words, engaging...

District Court to receive Aboriginal 'Welcome to Country'

There will be�a 'Welcome to Country' ceremony at Taree Courthouse on Monday, 21 July when�his Honour Judge Robert Toner SC�of the District Court arrives on circuit. The welcome, which...