Inbrief

Bar Library update

COVID-19

The library is now closed to visitors and no further hard copy materials may be borrowed. Any books currently on loan will not be due back until the crisis is over.

Unreported judgments

Document Exchange (DX) services still in operation

COVID-19

The Bar Association has made enquiries this morning with Toll regarding the current status of DX services. Toll have advised that DX services are currently still in operation until further...

Changes to the Legal Services Award 2010: Are you compliant?

Practice support

From 1 March 2020 changes to the Legal Services Award 2010 (the Legal Services Award) became effective. The Legal Services Award applies, in New South Wales, to employers engaged in...

Update on the District Court's operations

COVID-19

The Chief Judge of the District Court of NSW has this morning released an update regarding operations in response to the developing COVID-19 pandemic. The update is available here.

Changes to Supreme Court operations

COVID-19

The Supreme Court of NSW has this afternoon announced a series of changes to court operations.

The Court's announcement relates to:

• personal appearances;

• electronic delivery of...

Courts not affected by restrictions on gatherings

COVID-19: A message from President Tim Game SC

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has today released a statement advising that non-essential indoor gatherings of greater than 100 people (including staff)...

Discussions with the Supreme Court

COVID-19: A message from President Tim Game SC

First, today I have met with the Chief Justice and the Executive Director and Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court regarding procedures at that...

Health and safety in the courtroom

COVID-19: A message from President Tim Game SC

The health and welfare of our members is the Bar Association's paramount concern at this challenging time. If a member appearing before a court or...

High Court of Australia Registry Operations

COVID-19

The justices of the High Court have issued Practice Direction No 1 and Practice Direction No 2 of 2020, which take effect tomorrow Monday 23 March 2020 “in relation to some of the...

Northern Territory Bar Association 40th Anniversary Dinner

The NTBA has been monitoring the ongoing situation with regard to the COVID 19 (coronavirus) virus as well as the various restrictions that are being introduced to attempt to contain its spread.

In...

New practice directions from Family Court and Federal Circuit Court

COVID-19

The Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court have tonight issued a statement to the legal profession and two new Practice Directions, PD 2 and PD 3 of 2020. The Practice...

More blood donors needed

Wellbeing

Lifeblood is calling on eligible Australians to become blood donors and for existing donors to make and honour their appointments to prevent a potential shortage of blood supplies.

Some...

Reduction in interest on unpaid legal costs

Practice management

The Reserve Bank Board today decided to lower the cash rate target from 0.5% to 0.25%. Accordingly, the rate of interest on unpaid legal costs, prescribed by s 195 of the Legal...

Cessnock Court House services re-opening on Monday 30 March

The Registrar at Cessnock Local Court has advised that arrangements are now being put in place for the return to operations at Cessnock Court House, following the suspension of sittings at the Court...

Bar Library – helpful hints

COVID-19

We encourage all our users who need to borrow hard copy materials to do this while the library remains open. Any books currently on loan will not be due back until the library reopens. If,...

Bar Association office and library closed to visitors each afternoon from 2pm

COVID-19

In order to help minimise the spread of the COVID—19 virus, the New South Wales Bar Association’s office and library will be closed to visitors from 2pm each afternoon from today.

Bar...

What is a virtual courtroom?

Innovation and technology

Parties to Supreme Court proceedings can access the Virtual Courtroom using video and telephone conferencing applications. Virtual courtrooms are still formal courtrooms....

Final Call: Last Chance to Register for Women & Leadership Australia Scholarships

Women currently working in the legal sector have a final opportunity to register their interest in a Women & Leadership Australia scholarship worth up to $5,000 to support participation in an...

Measures to support the profession

COVID-19: A message from President Tim Game SC

We are presently experiencing an extraordinarily difficult time in our community. It presents unprecedented challenges for Barristers. Members of our...

Sydney Building of Family Court & FCC cleared to reopen Wed 18 March

COVID-19

The Family Court and Federal Circuit Court have this evening announced that the Sydney building has been cleared by NSW Health to reopen tomorrow, Wednesday 18 March.

View the media...

Cancellation of 2020 Bench and Bar Dinner

COVID-19 / A message from President Tim Game SC

Regrettably with the statement by the Prime Minister on 15 March that prohibits a public event at which there are, or are likely to be, 500 persons or...

Arrangements by the Local Court of New South Wales regarding court proceedings during the Pandemic Declaration period

COVID-19

The Chief Magistrate His Honour Judge Graeme Henson has issued a detailed statement concerning new arrangements in the Local Court of New South Wales regarding court proceedings during the...

Urgent new arrangements for the listing of matters in the Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court of Australia (COVID-19)

COVID-19

The health and safety of the community, Judges and staff is the Courts’ priority. Therefore, due to the escalating situation regarding the coronavirus, and in anticipation of further...

Federal Court's response to COVID-19

COVID-19: A message from President Tim Game SC

The Bar Association has just been informed that the Federal Court of Australia has this afternoon released a statement indicating that all listings...

Notification to the court and parties of need to self-isolate

COVID-19: A message from President Tim Game SC

There have been enquiries from members in relation to what steps they should take if they have symptoms that might be COVID-19 or are required to...