Inbrief

A Message from the President: Amendments to the Barristers Rules concerning cross-examination

Following the conclusion of the consultation period for the revised changes proposed to the New South Wales Barristers’ Rules on 16 May 2008, the Bar Council has now had the opportunity to...

Papers to note: Law Council submission to the Clarke Inquiry

The Law Council of Australia has released its submission to the Clarke Inquiry into the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef. The LCA expressed concern that, "throughout the Haneef case, police were operating...

Speeches to note: Coming in from the Cold

Attorney-General Robert McClelland has re-affirmed the Australian Government's�commitment to international human rights law.�Speaking at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission...

Commonwealth announces changes to legal purchasing and tendering

Attorney-General Robert McClelland has�foreshadowed�changes to�Australian�Government tendering and contracting for legal services. The changes,�outlined in a media release,... Read more >

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

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

James Spittles v Michael’s Appliance Services Pty Ltd and Others [2008] NSWCA 76 (Bell JA, Handley AJA and Barr J) White...

Conscience: do lawyers need one?

Cardinal George Pell will be presenting on the topic "Conscience: Do Lawyers Need One?" at the UTS Annual Lawyers and Ethics Eminent Speakers' Series. The lecture will take place on Wednesday, 28 May...

Breakfast Talk series: The origins of human rights law

Wellbeing

Members are invited to�attend the final presentation in the Breakfast Talk series on�Thursday, 29 May. Entitled "Why condemn those who only acted ‘according to the...

Recent House of Lords decisions

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

R V Asfaw (On Appeal From The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division))�[2008] UKHL 31�21 May...

Speeches to note: 2008 Mabo Lecture

The minister for indigenous affairs, Jenny Macklin MP, has delivered the 2008 Mabo Lecture�today at James Cook University in Townsville.�Entitled "Beyond Mabo: Native Title and Closing the...

Papers to note: Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research report on domestic violence

A�report by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has found that a study group of victims of domestic violence are very satisfied with the response they received from police and...

Today: the 2008 Francis Forbes Lecture

Legal history

The 2008 Francis Forbes Lecture will be�delivered by Professor Rosalind Croucher today at 5.00pm in the Bar Common Room. The title of the lecture will be "150 years of...

New procedures for ordering Supreme Court transcripts

The Supreme Court has published new procedures for ordering transcripts. Further information about fees, methods of payment and transcript order forms may be obtained from the�court's web site.... Read more >

New members of the Bar Association

The following persons have been accepted as members of the New South Wales�Bar Association.

Reminder: ceremonial sittings in the Supreme Court

Members are reminded that there will be�a formal ceremony to mark the retirement of the Honourable Justice Keith Mason AC as the president of the Court of Appeal, to be held in the Banco Court...

Bar Council business for March - April 2008

Governance

Matters reported elsewhere in In Brief are omitted from this summary of Bar Council business. Bar Council regularly considers requests by the attorney general, the courts and other...

Fee recovery assistance

The Bar Association assists members with recovery from solicitors of unpaid fees which have been outstanding for more than three months but less than two years.�The association will only assist...

Reminder: Counsel's Chambers re-launch the National Dispute Centre hearing rooms

Counsel’s Chambers�will�re re-launch their newly refurbished hearing rooms today. The rooms are open for inspection between 1.00pm & 6.30pm. Drinks will be served 4.30pm to 6.30pm...

Expressions of interest sought for federal criminal law conference

The organising committee for the federal criminal law conference invites members to submit�one page outlines of proposed reforms in the area of federal criminal law.� Those invited to speak...

Legislation to note: Jury Amendment Bill 2008

The Jury Amendment Bill 2008 was introduced into the Legislative Council on 15 May and has received its second reading speech. The objects of this Bill, as provided in the explanatory notes, are to...

Cases selected for reporting in FCR by V Kline

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

Mornington Inn Pty Ltd v Jordan [2008] FCAFC 70 Gyles, Stone, Buchanan�� ��� Qantas Airways Ltd v Gama...

NSW Bar v Victorian Bar inaugural annual football match

Expressions of interest are sought from enthusiasts of the “World Game” to participate in the inaugural annual football match between the NSW Bar and Victorian Bar. Details are yet to be...

Relocation of Prisoners Legal Service

The Prisoners Legal Service, a division of Legal Aid NSW, has relocated to Parramatta.�The new address and telephone number is:

Level 1 160 Marsden Street Parramatta 2150 Ph: (02) 8688 3888

19...

Promoting the rule of law and professional development in the South Pacific

The president of the Law Council of Australia, Ross Ray QC, has�outlined plans for a regional partnership to promote�the rule of law and collegiality among the legal profession in the South...

Bringing the world game to the NSW Bar

Interstate sporting contests�are a valued tradition at the New South Wales Bar. In addition to the long-standing rivalry in hockey and cricket, there is a proposal for an interstate football...

Department of Corrective Services webcam pilot

The Department of Corrective Services will be running a pilot project involving barristers using different providers of webcam facilities.�If you would like to participate, or�wish...