Inbrief

Mediation accreditation and re-accreditation 2014-15: applications close today at 5.00pm

Expressions of interest are sought from members of the bar who hold a current practising certificate and have 5 years’ experience wishing to become an accredited mediator or be re-accredited as...

LCA warns legal aid cuts creating an "injustice system"

Research conducted by the Law Council of Australia indicates thousands of Australian citizens could be the victims of major injustice due to their inability to access legal representation from Legal...

Incorporation of barristers' practices (including advice from James Nolan)

As members would be aware, a General Meeting of the Bar will be held in the Common Room on Tuesday 17 September 2013 at 5.15pm. I have been notified that an amendment to the motion in the Notice of...

CPD Tonight - Effective Mentoring: Structuring the tutor and reader relationship

Tonight's CPD seminar will be of particular relevance to barristers who currently have someone reading with them, or who wish to become tutors in the near future. The seminar will be presented by...

Opposition disallows NSW Government regulation on judges pay

The Legislative Council has passed the NSW Opposition’s disallowance of the O’Farrell government’s regulation to reduce the 2.5 per cent remuneration cap for judges, the DPP, Crown...

Papers to note: Beyond Prison Gates

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has released a report, titled Beyond Prison Gates, which says that a lack of transitional housing and support for people leaving prison may be forcing many...

Common Law Practice Update 34

The Bar Association's Common Law Committee has released Practice Update 34 which features a case note on sections 5B and 5D of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW).

22 August 2013

Judicial welcome for Judge Stewart

Joanne Stewart will be sworn-in as a judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia at a ceremonial sitting on Wednesday, 25 September 2013 at 9.30am. The ceremony will be held in courtroom 9, Level...

Swearing-in ceremony for Michael Barnes

The Local Court of New South Wales will hold a ceremonial sitting on Monday, 26 August 2013 at 9.00am to mark the swearing-in of Michael Barnes as a magistrate. The ceremony will take place in...

Yoga lunchtime hiatus

Tuesday's lunchtime yoga classes will resume on 24 September, following completion of the Bar Practice Course. Tuesday morning classes will continue as usual. All are welcome.

20 August 2013

Assistance to witnesses appearing before the child sexual abuse royal commission

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was announced in November 2012 and will commence formal hearings soon. The Attorney-General’s Department is responsible...

Self Tort through to the People's Choice competition

On Thursday, 15 August 2013 Brian Ralston's band, "Self Tort", won the Sydney final of the ABC's "Exhumed" competition at the Basement. The 42 regional winners are now involved in a People's Choice...

NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards - nominations close soon

The Bar Association is one of the supporting partners of the NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards, which recognise the outstanding achievements of women in the law in NSW. Nominations close on 30...

STEP address: Microscopes, telescopes and pie in the sky (ADVERTISEMENTS)

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) invites you to an address by Helene Anne Lewis, STEP Worldwide Chair, on "Microscopes, telescopes and pie in the sky - STEP today, tomorrow and...

A reprieve for motor accident victims

The New South Wales Government has today announced it will withdraw the Motor Accident Injuries Amendment Bill 2013 from parliament. The minister for finance and services, Andrew Constance MP, this...

Baker & McKenzie National Women's Moot

Now in its third year, the Baker & McKenzie National Women's Moot is an initiative aimed at fostering an interest in advocacy in female law students. This year, the question will be on an area of...

The babes of the bar

In Brief can't reveal its sources, but a member of the association alerted us to an article in The Telegraph of London, which asserts that "In a profession that depends on persuading other people, it...

Appointment to the Senior Counsel Selection Committee

Following the appointment of Dr Melissa Perry QC as a judge of the Federal Court, the Bar Council has appointed a replacement member of the 2013 Senior Counsel Selection Committee to fill that...

The Paul Byrne SC Memorial Lecture 2013

Members are invited to attend the 2013 Paul Byrne SC Memorial Lecture, to be delivered by the Hon Murray Gleeson AC QC on Wednesday, 16 October 2013 between 6-7:30pm at the Sydney Law School,...

Youth Justice Conferencing scores high marks

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has released the results of its survey on attitudes to Youth Justice Conferencing. The survey found high levels of satisfaction with the process among both...

Volunteers needed for the Benjamin Andrew Footpath Library

The Benjamin Andrew Footpath Library has a new, bigger unit in Kennard's Storage at Waterloo, and is planning to move all books from the previous unit into the new one on Saturday, 31 August. We are...

Reminder: swearing-in ceremony for Darke SC tomorrow morning

Rowan Darke SC will be sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court of NSW tomorrow, Friday, 16 August 2013 at 9.00am in Banco Court. Barristers should wear wigs and gowns. Senior counsel should wear...

TOMORROW: Yum Cha Bench and Bar Lunch

The next Bench and Bar Lunch will be a Yum Cha Banquet at Sky Phoenix Restaurant on Tuesday, 20 August 2013 between 1-2 PM. Wine, drinks and coffee also available for purchase. Sky Phoenix Restaurant...

Incorporation of barristers' practices

A few weeks ago, before the General Meeting to be held on 17 September was requisitioned, the Bar Council commissioned advice from three senior counsel on matters relevant to its then continuing...

Law Council issues its Key Election Issues

The Law Council has invited political parties contesting the 2013 Federal Election to provide their views on key national issues of relevance to the Australian legal profession. The parties have...