Message from the President

21/04/2020

The Bar Association has received two very useful documents which have been forwarded to Heads of Chambers this afternoon – a Guide to the Jobkeeper Scheme April 2020 prepared by Ian Neil SC, David Chin SC and Christopher Parkin, and an accompanying Note on the Coronavirus Economic Response Package prepared by Kristen Deards SC and Michael Cosgrove. The documents should be read together.

The authors of the Guide to the Jobkeeper scheme have indicated that they intend to update their document and I will keep you informed of any developments in this regard. I note that both the Guide and the Note are intended to be general guides only and that members should obtain their own advice on these matters.

So far as claiming JobKeeper payments is concerned, there are some important dates to keep in mind, including the need to enrol by 30 April to claim Jobkeeper payments for April. Further details in this regard can be found here

Members' attention is also drawn to the ATO's information for sole traders and other entities which can be found here

I would like to extend my thanks, and that of the Bar Association, to Ian Neil SC, David Chin SC and Christopher Parkin, and Kristen Deards SC and Michael Cosgrove respectively for their work in preparing these documents and making them available to the association.

For members practising in chambers the documents can be obtained from your Head of Chambers. Members practising outside of formal chambers arrangements can contact the Bar Association’s Deputy Executive Director Alastair McConnachie at amcconnachie@nswbar.asn.au to obtain copies of these documents.

COVID-19-related court arrangements

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:

• A Note from the Land and Environment Court regarding Early Listing Dates for Conciliation Conferences and Hearings;

• An Update on the Interim Protocol for Civil Jurisdiction of the Sydney District Court as at 21 April 2020; and

• Changes to Children’s Court operations relating to COVID-19 pandemic - The President of the Children’s Court has now issued Public Notice 4 and a practitioners guide to Courtroom Meeting Space (CMS). The Court has advised that it is anticipated that these operational changes will provide a more sustainable approach over the coming months that will, in time, support a transition to normal operations.

Members are advised that, although the Bar Association is regularly updating the COVID-19 page of its website as information comes to hand, they should refer to the latest court resources directly as circumstances 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.

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