State and federal assistance

27/03/2020

COVID-19: A message from President Tim Game SC

I have today written to both the Commonwealth Attorney-General and the NSW Attorney General on behalf of the whole of the NSW Bar - seniors, juniors, civil and criminal practitioners – who have all been adversely affected by the ongoing changes to court arrangements as a result of public health restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The correspondence requests the urgent assistance of the Federal and State Governments in relation to a variety of issues facing New South Wales Barristers. I will keep members informed of developments in this regard.

The New South Wales Bar Association’s consolidated guide to COVID-19-related court arrangements has again been updated in terms of recent developments and includes:

• New Guidelines For Common Law Duty List Matters in the Common Law Division of the Supeme Court of NSW;

• Today’s announcement from the Chief Magistrate in relation to Downing Centre Local Court Civil Listing Arrangements during the COVID-19 Pandemic;

• An announcement from the Coroners Court of NSW regarding Covid-19 – changes to court operations;

• Updated changes to NCAT operations regarding hearing and filing arrangements (link), including new Procedural Direction 6 regarding filing of documents and a Guideline concerning temporary arrangements for lodging documentation. NCAT has advised that any further changes to its services will be announced on its Coronavirus (COVID-19) web page; and

• E-Bulletin No 100 from the President of the Workers Compensation Commission.

Members are advised in this regard that, although the Bar Association is regularly updating the COVID-19 page of its website as information comes to hand, please refer to the latest court resources directly as developments are changing quickly at this time. Do not make any assumptions regarding your case without first doing so. Links to the various court and tribunal pages are provided in the body of the guide.

Finally, and most importantly, I note that the last two week period has been extremely challenging one for all barristers, their families and their clients. I hope that all members take some time out over the weekend to rest, recuperate and focus on their personal health, in advance of the further challenges that are undoubtedly yet to come.