Inbrief

Open for business: the NSW Bar Dispute Resolution Centre

Attorney-General Robert McClelland last night�formally opened the NSW Bar Dispute Resolution Centre, which, he said, "places the Bar Association on a sure and sound footing in the service of...

The Hon Justice Michael Kirby resigns

Attorney-General Robert McClelland has been advised that the Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG�yesterday met with the governor-general, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, and advised Her...

Member appointed to the Tasmanian Office of the DPP

John Cauchi of Henry Parkes Chambers in Canberra�will shortly be appointed to the position of principal crown counsel [criminal prosecutions] in the Office of the DPP for Tasmania.�He will...

WA Bar Council election results

As a result of the Western Australian Bar Association elections, the following members were elected to Bar Council:

Hal Wootten AC QC made a life member of the Bar Association

At a recent meeting of the Bar Council,�it was resolved to appoint the Hon J H Wootten AC QC a life member of the Bar Association in recognition of his exceptional service to the profession of...

Postions vacant at the Qld Crime and Misconduct Commission

The Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) is seeking to recruit experienced lawyers to fill the following senior roles. The vacancy period closes at 5.00 pm on Monday, 22 December 2008.

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ALRC calls for submissions in review of secrecy laws

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) yesterday released Issue Paper 34: Review of Secrecy Laws. The closing date for written submissions is 19 February 2009. ALRC commissioner, Professor...

Wanted: volunteers for inter-school mock trial competition

The Law Society of New South Wales is inviting members of the NSW Bar to provide voluntary assistance to the Inter-School Mock Trial Competition. The competition aims to introduce year 10 and 11...

Retirement of the Hon Justice Michael Watt

The Hon Justice Michael Watt will retire on Monday, 15 December 2008 after 10 years on the bench of the Family Court of Australia. Chief Justice Diana Bryant has issued a media release, in which...

National Guide to Counsel Fees to take effect in the new year

The registrar of the Federal Court has issued�an�updated National Guide to Counsel Fees. The guide has effect from** 1 January 2009. **As explained in the preamble to the guide, its purpose...

Attorney-General Robert McClelland launches national consultation on human rights

Attorney-General Robert McClelland has marked the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by launching a National Consultation on Human Rights in an address to the United...

Bar Association urges the public to speak up in support of human rights

The president of the New South Wales Bar Association, Anna Katzmann SC, has issued a media release, welcoming the Australian Government’s community consultation on ways to protect human rights....

Changes to Legal Aid NSW civil law policies

Legal Aid NSW would like to advise members of amendments to its civil law policy in relation to personal injury and medical negligence matters. Previously, legal aid has been available for these...

Cases selected for reporting in the CLR and FCR

Cases selected for reporting in CLR by J D Merralls QC

Master Education Services P/L v Ketchell [2008] HCA 38.

Cases selected for reporting in FCR by V Kline

Commonwealth v Leigh [2008] FCA 1513 ...

AG McClelland to open NSW Bar Dispute Resolution Centre

The NSW Bar Dispute Resolution Centre will be opened by Attorney-General�Robert McClelland on 10 December 2008.� Located at level 1, Selborne Chambers, 174 Phillip St, Sydney, it is the...

Evidence Amendment Act to commence on 1 January 2009

The_ Evidence Amendment Act 2007 (NSW), and the _Evidence Amendment Act 2008 (Cth) will commence on 1 January 2009.�The amendments implement the model Uniform Evidence Bill endorsed by the...

Speeches of a Chief Justice: James Spigelman 1998-2008

Members are reminded about the book launch this Wednesday, 10 December 2008 at 5.00pm in the Banco Court by Lord Thomas Bingham of Cornhill of the special edition volume of speeches of Chief Justice...

Solicitors v Bar and Bench Golf Day

Change of venue

The annual Solicitors v Bar and Bench Golf Day is to be held at Elanora Golf Club on Monday, 19 January 2009. Details of times and cost will be posted in the near future. Contact...

Position vacant: full-time senior commissioner Land and Environment Court

$233,540 per annum plus conveyance allowance of $15,840 per annum

Attorney General John Hatzistergos is seeking expressions of interest from qualified persons for appointment as the full-time senior...

Position vacant: full-time assessor, Small Claims Division, Local Courts

$162,720 per annum

Attorney General John Hatzistergos is seeking expressions of interest from qualified persons for appointment as an assessor under the Local Courts Act 1982 on a full-time...

New silk in Western Australia

The chief justice of Western Australia, the Hon Wayne Martin, has announced the appointment of�Laurie Levy and Simon Moncrieff as�senior counsel. View the WA Bar Association announcement... Read more >

Law Council welcomes recommendations on charities and not-for-profit organisations

The Law Council has urged the�Australian Government to implement reforms recommended in a Senate Committee report released yesterday on the regulation of charities and not-for-profit...

Personal Injury Conference on 7 February 2009

The New South Wales Bar Association will hold its inaugural Personal Injury Conference on Saturday, 7 February 2009 at The Westin Hotel, Sydney. We are privileged to welcome the Hon Justice M J...

Review of unresolved claims from the Voyager tragedy

Attorney-General Robert McClelland and�Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon today announced the results of the review into the unresolved claims from the HMAS Voyager...

Papers to note: Law Council of Australia's 2008 annual report

The Law Council of Australia is the peak national representative body of the Australian legal profession. The New South Wales Bar Association is a constituent body of the LCA. 2007-08 has been a...