We want you! Expressions of Interest for 2021-22 Committee Membership Open Now

23/04/2021

Our members are our greatest strength. 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 and to undertake the Association’s regulatory duties.

We are pleased to invite members to apply for consideration to be appointed to the Association’s committees for 2021-22. If you would like to apply, please use the following link to complete the application form: http://www.nswbar.asn.au/committee/applications

All members, not just those holding a practising certificate, are encouraged to apply for consideration to serve on a committee. Committees that reflect the diversity of the members and community we serve strengthen the Association’s ability to meaningfully represent and advocate through its work.

Members in regional, rural and remote areas are encouraged to apply. With the move to many meetings being conducted via Zoom and MS Teams it has become much easier for remote members to attend meetings.

This year 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 submissions on practice, procedure and policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Association is pleased to invite expressions of interest for membership to the following 2021/22 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 & Inquiries Committee
• Legal Aid Committee
• New Barristers Committee
• Practice Development Committee
• Wellbeing Committee
• Professional Conduct Committees
• Professional Conduct Committee 1
• Professional Conduct Committee 2
• Professional Conduct Committee 3
• Professional Conduct Committee 4

Current committee members who would like to apply to continue to serve should also complete the form.

Expressions of interest will close at 5pm on Monday 10 May 2021.

The Association is very fortunate that we have many more volunteers for committees than can possibly be accommodated. As such, we ask 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, and in terms of practice areas and seniority — are represented on each committee.

We are very grateful for the generosity of members in sharing their time and expertise by serving on a committee. Please note there is a time commitment required to attend regular meetings and contribute to matter management or drafting submissions in between meetings. If you would like to discuss what the work of a particular committee entails, please contact the Association via 02 9232 4055 and we can put you through to the staff member to discuss this further.

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.

Succession and Elder Law Committee This year the Association is also seeking expressions of interest for a new Succession and Elder Law Committee (SELC). It is anticipated that the SELC will likely be called on to assist the Bar Council, Executive and the Department of Policy and Public Affairs in advising on practice matters and assisting with policy submissions in response to requests for consultation by the Courts, governments, parliaments, inquiries and other reform bodies. The SELC 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.

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