Inbrief

Pink Ribbon Breakfast – thank you!

The Association would like to thank all those who attended the Pink Ribbon Breakfast this morning in the Bar Common Room. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. While we are still waiting for some...

Speeches to note: the Chief Justice and the Governor-General

Last night Chief Justice Robert French addressed the Melbourne University Law Review Annual Dinner on the topic "The Chief Justice and the Governor-General".

In his speech the Chief Justice French...

Change to Federal Magistrates Court Fair Work – Form 3

The Principal Registrar of the Federal Magistrates' Court has advised the Association that, in regard to applications in the Fair Work Division of the Federal Magistrates' Court, a minor amendment...

Swearing in ceremony for Anna Katzmann SC

President Anna Katzmann SC has been appointed as a judge of the Federal Court. A formal ceremony for this occasion will be held at 4.30pm **on **Tuesday 2 February 2010.

Further details will be...

Letters to the editor - The Daily Telegraph and the Sydney Morning Herald

The following is a letter to the editor of the Daily Telegraph from Senior Vice-President Tom Bathurst QC concerning media coverage of the recent decision to grant parole to Phillip Choon Tee Lim....

Law Council slams decline in legal aid funding

In evidence provided this week to a Senate inquiry into access to justice, the Law Council highlighted that the Commonwealth’s share of legal aid funding has fallen by about 20 per cent between...

Election for the Bar Council of 2010

The ballot for the election of the 2010 Bar Council will close at 1.00pm on Friday, 13 November 2009. Members should take care to complete the ballot paper in accordance with the instructions...

Law Council symposium on environmental law

The Law Council will hold a symposium on 'The Future of Environmental Law' to mark the contribution of Paul Stein in environmental and planning law. This symposium, to be held on Thursday, 10...

Correction: swearing in ceremony for Yates SC will be on 2 December

The ceremonial sitting for the swearing-in of David Yates SC will be held on Wednesday, 2 December 2009, at 9.30am in courtroom 18D, Queens Square - not 30 November, as published yesterday_._ _In...

Some bar council election results

Michael Colbran QC has been elected the new chairman of the Victorian Bar Council. The Bar Council election was held on Wednesday, 14 October, and the office bearer positions were finalised by a vote...

New appointment to the Local Court

Attorney General John Hatzistergos announced today the appointment of Albert Sbrizzi to the bench of the Local Court of New South Wales. Learn more >

**28 October 2009 **

Case management amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act

The New South Wales Government has introduced into the Legislative Assembly the Criminal Procedure Amendment (Case Management) Bill 2009. The object of this Bill, as provided by the explanatory note,...

Papers to note: Challenges in Mainstreaming Specialty Courts

Specialty courts have become a common feature of the Australian justice system. In some cases, such as drug courts, they were established to dispense 'therapeutic justice'. Some have suggested that...

Mediation Masterclass with Sir Laurence: tips and techniques from an expert

Members are invited to attend "Mediation Masterclass" with Sir Laurence Street, which will be held in the Common Room at 5.15 on Monday, 2 November.� Hear from a� renowned expert in the...

Local Court swearing-in ceremony next Monday

A ceremonial sitting will be held in the Local Court on Monday, 2 November 2009 at 9.00am in courtroom 5.2 to mark the swearing-in of Ian Cheetham and John Chicken as magistrates of the Local Court...

Disqualified drivers to lose their licence until appeal is finalised

In March 2009 In Brief reported that the New South Wales Government had legislated to prevent, among other things, disqualified drivers who appeal against their sentences from getting their licence...

Appointments to the AAT

Attorney-General Robert McClelland announced fifteen part-time appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). Learn more>

**26 October 2009 **

Victoria and Commonwealth announce first dual federal-state judicial appointment

Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls have announced their intention to make Australia’s first dual federal-state judicial appointment. Mr Hulls said such...

Class Actions and Litigation in Uncertain Times (ADVERTISEMENT)

The Commercial Law Association, in conjunction with Slater & Gordon, invites members to a half-day seminar on Class Actions and Litigation in Uncertain Times, to be held on **Friday, 11 December...

New appointments to the Federal Court

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, announced the appointment of five new judges to the Federal Court of Australia.� The Hon Justice Julie Dodds-Streeton and Mr Mordy Bromberg SC have been...

Annabel Crabb to speak at the bar

The Bar Association is pleased to announce that Annabel Crabb will be a guest speaker at the bar on Wednesday, 4 November from 5.15pm in the Common Room. Anna Katzmann SC will chair the session....

New safeguards for issuing search and other warrants

The Courts and Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 _was introduced into the NSW Legislatve Assembly this morning and has been agreed to in principle. The objects of this Bill, as provided by the...

Judicial Commission produces DVD on circle sentencing

Australian of the year Dr Mick Dodson AM has launched a DVD which provides new insight into the practice of circle sentencing. The chief executive of the Judicial Commission of NSW, Mr Ernie Schmatt,...

Another step towards a national judiciary

The New South Wales Government has introduced into parliament the Judicial Officers Amendment Bill 2009. The object of the Bill, as provided by the explanatory note, is to amend the _Judicial...

New appointment to the Local Court

Attorney General John Hatzistergos today announced he would recommend to Governor Marie Bashir AC the appointment of Susan McGowan to the bench of the NSW Local Court. Ms McGowan has practised law...