Expressions of Interest for 2020-21 Committee Membership Due 5pm Today

15/06/2020

The Association’s committees serve an important role in working with the Bar Council and staff to promote access to and the administration of justice as well as action policy and Strategic Plan initiatives. The work of committees has been more important than ever before in meeting the unprecedented calls from governments, the Courts and parliaments to provide urgent advice and submissions on practice, procedure and policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, often at extremely short notice.

The President annually reviews the need for the Association's various committees, the role of those committees and their membership. The Association is pleased to invite expressions of interest for membership to the following 2020/21 committees (excluding Professional Conduct Committees):

 Accessibility Panel

 Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee

 Bar News Committee

 Common Law Committee

 Costs & Fees Committee

 Criminal Law Committee

 Diversity and Equality Committee

 Education Committee

 Family Law Committee

 First Nations Committee

 Human Rights Committee

 Industrial, Employment, Health & Safety Committee

 Innovation & Technology Committee

 Inquests and Inquiries Committee

 Legal Aid Committee

 New Barristers Committee

 Practice Development Committee

 Wellbeing Committee

If you would like to apply, please use the below link to complete the application form:

http://www.nswbar.asn.au/committee/applications

Members (not just those holding a practising certificate) who wish to be considered for appointment to a committee on the list should complete the form, indicating the committees for which they wish to be considered and their relevant experience. Existing members of committees (except for Professional Conduct Committees, as outlined below) who wish to continue on a particular committee should also complete the form.

Expressions of interest will close at 5pm on Monday 15 June 2020.

The Association is very fortunate that we have many more volunteers for committees than can possibly be accommodated. The President has therefore asked that members restrict their choice of committees to no more than two. In confirming committee membership, the President seeks to ensure that all parts of the Bar — geographically, practice areas and seniority — are represented on each committee.

Please note that until new committees are established and promulgated, the existing committees continue unchanged. The existing appointments to various working parties and representatives for the Association continue unless and until the President determines otherwise.

Acknowledgement of your expression of interest will be emailed to you within 24 hours. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact committees@nswbar.asn.au.

Professional Conduct Committees

Following consultation with the President, it has been decided not to call for expressions of interest for the Professional Conduct Committees (PCCs) this year to ensure continuity to support a number of ongoing matters. However, it is appreciated that members’ circumstances may have changed, so if any existing PCC member wishes to stand down, please contact Jocelyn Sparks, Director Professional Conduct on jsparks@nswbar.asn.au.

Inquests and Inquiries Committee

This year the Association is seeking expressions of interest for a new Inquests and Inquiries Committee (IIC). It is anticipated that the IIC will likely be called on to assist the Bar Council, Executive and Department of Policy and Public Affairs in preparing a number of policy submissions in response to requests for consultation by governments, parliaments, inquiries and other reform bodies. The IIC has been included on the new form and we welcome applications.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to the Bar. We look forward to receiving your applications.

Greg Tolhurst

Executive Director

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25 May 2020

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