Inbrief

Legislation to note: amendments to the UCPR

On 29 November 2013 the Uniform Rules Committee approved amendments to the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules replacing the current Part 3 that deals with Electronic Case Management. The amendments to the...

Newcastle Bar takes aim at mandatory sentencing

Peter Cummings SC, president of the Newcastle Bar Association, has made an incisive criticism of mandatory sentencing and attracted radio and print media coverage in the Hunter region. An edited...

2014 Personal Injury Conference

The 2014 Personal Injury and Common Law Conference will be held at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on Saturday 15 March. The conference provides 6 CPD points and will cover the advocacy and substantive...

A toast to new silks

The Hon Justice Patrick Keane was guest of honour at the annual Australian Bar Association Dinner, held at High Court of Australia, Canberra, on 3 February 2014. A copy of his "Toast to New Silks"...

President supports office of senior counsel

Advocacy

The president of the New South Wales Bar Association, Phillip Boulten SC, has issued a media release expressing his strong support for the existing system of senior counsel in NSW.

Legal Aid News for February

Legal Aid News for February 2014 is out now, featuring articles on new developments for independent children's lawyers; advice services for appeals to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal; mortgage...

Supreme Court improves online probate notices

The Supreme Court has announced improvements to its online probate notices. A Notice of Intended Distribution in deceased estates where the court has issued a grant of representation can be drafted...

Funeral arrangements for John Graham

A funeral for John Roderick Graham, formerly of Ground Floor Windeyer Chambers, will be held on Friday, 7 February at 3.15pm at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.

Bar FC looking foward to their 7th season

Wellbeing

The NSW Bar Football Club, now in its seventh year, is open to barristers, members of the judiciary, barristers’ clerks and staff and employees of the Bar Association regardless of...

Public opinion and confidence in the judiciary: the Opening of Law Term Address

Law reform and public affairs

Chief Justice Tom Bathurst yesterday delivered the annual Opening of Law Term Address on "Community Confidence in the Justice System: the Role of Public Opinion". In...

Time for calm in sentencing debate

Law reform and public affairs

The president of the New South Wales Bar Association, Phillip Boulten SC, today expressed his support for comments made by the chief justice in his opening of Law Term...

Media update: Boulten SC speaks on drive time radio

President Phil Boulten SC granted more radio interviews on Friday evening, shortly before the NSW Government's mandatory minimum sentencing and liquor licensing laws came into effect. He spoke to...

Mentoring Program 2014

Mentoring

In 2014 the Bar Association, in conjunction with McCarthy Mentoring, will offer junior members of the bar the opportunity to receive guidance and support from leaders in the profession...

Victorian senior counsel to be given the choice of SC or QC

Senior counsel in Victoria will in future have the option to be appointed as QC upon application, following a request from the Victorian Bar Council. Learn more here.

AG unveils renovated Manly Courthouse

Manly Courthouse has been refurbished, at a cost of $2.4 million. It has improved security, reporting facilities are now fully digital and the telephone system has also been upgraded. The new high...

Mandatory sentencing and liquor licensing bills passed by the Legislative Council

The NSW Government's mandatory sentencing and liquor licensing bills have passed both houses of parliament in a single day. The views of the Bar Association were quoted often during debate in the...

CPD in February and March

To assist members in completing their CPD requirements before the 31 March cut-off date, a number of seminars and conferences have been organised. Conferences will be held at: - [North...

Port Kembla Courthouse upgraded

Port Kembla Courthouse will soon begin hearing video bail applications following the installation of a high definition audio visual link (AVL) in both courtrooms. Learn more here.

Expression of Interest to accept briefs from NSW DPP

Director of Public Prosecutions Lloyd Babb SC is seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced and qualified counsel to conduct trials on his behalf. Successful counsel will act in a...

AG lauds NSW courts

Yesterday the Productivity Commission released its annual Review of Government Services (Volume C: Justice). Attorney General Greg Smith SC has issued a media release, praising the NSW Local Court...

One-punch drug and alcohol bills before NSW Parliament

Premier Barry O'Farrell has recalled the New South Wales Parliament early in order for it to pass his government's legislative response to drug and alcohol fuelled violence in Sydney's CBD. As a...

NSW adult prison population is booming

The state's adult prison population grew by 6.9 per cent between July 2012 and December 2013, according to the December 2013 quarterly update of NSW Custody Statistics released today by the Bureau of...

Yoga classes resume on Tuesday, 4 February

Enjoy the opportunity to slip away from chambers for an hour either before or during your day on Tuesdays. Benefit from the art of practice with a renewed sense of focus, energy, flexibility and...

Common Law Practice Update 47

The Bar Association's Common Law Committee has released Practice Update 47, with case notes on s 3A of the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), ss 5D, 5I, 5F, 5L, 45 and 43A of the Civil...

Replacement of AMA List of Medical Services and Fees

Pursuant to clause 4(2) of the Motor Accidents Compensation Regulation 2005, the AMA's List of Medical Services and Fees (dated 1 November 2013) were gazetted on 20 December 2013 (Gazette Number 177)...