President's Message

21/10/2025

Tomorrow, I will be chairing a CPD seminar of particular significance to all members of the NSW Bar about “Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing – What barristers need to know”.

From 1 July 2026, legal practitioners who provide “designated services”, under section 6 of the amended Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (the Act), will be considered “reporting entities” for the purposes of the Act. These practitioners will be required to meet a series of significant obligations – including registering with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, customer due diligence, risk assessments, suspicious matter reporting, record-keeping and other obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Preparing for the commencement of the amended Act is critical. That process can begin with tomorrow’s CPD, which will help members understand:

1. Are you providing “designated services” under the Act?

2. If so, what are your obligations?

I am very thankful to the Bar Association’s Senior Vice President, Michael Izzo SC, and Treasurer, Catherine Gleeson SC, who will be presenting at tomorrow’s CPD. Michael and Catherine have led the Bar Association’s advocacy in respect of the amended Act – and have played a pivotal role in mitigating its impact on barristers across Australia by securing a legislative exemption for barristers who are instructed by a solicitor.

You can register for tomorrow’s CPD at the following link.