Expressions of Interest: Federal Court (NSW District Registry) - General Liaison Forum

08/04/2009

The Federal Court of Australia (NSW District Registry) is seeking expressions of interest from, or nominations of, legal practitioners interested in being members of the NSW Registry's Practitioners' General Liaison Forum. The forum provides an opportunity for experienced practitioners who practise, are familiar with or have an interest, in discussing with the court the way the court operates.

The forum provides a structured environment to discuss means of achieving the effective and just resolution of disputes expeditiously and cost effectively. The forum can help shape and refine case management strategies directed towards maintaining an efficient, technologically advanced court of federal commercial jurisdiction.

Areas of interest that may be discussed at these meetings include the case management initiatives and existing and proposed procedural reforms of the Court including: the Expedition List; the introduction of fast track directions; the use of technology in managing discovery of electronic documents and for the conduct of electronic hearings under Practice Note 17 as well as the use by judges of and referral to ADR (including Mediation) as part of the Court’s continued commitment, through the individual docket system of case management, to the just resolution of disputes as quickly, inexpensively and efficiently as possible.

Please note that this is General Liaison Forum and does not replace existing specialist practice group meetings that are specifically designed to liaise and consult with the members of the legal profession and others about practice and procedure issues relevant to those specialists practice areas (such as the patents, admiralty, and taxation practice group meetings). Further information about these meetings is available on the court's web site

Interested or nominated NSW legal practitioners who are conversant with the law and procedures applied in the Federal Court of Australia should contact the registry by e-mail at nsw.usergroups@fedcourt.gov.au together with a brief statement of interest by 1 May 2009.

General Enquiries: Michael Wall (NSW District Registrar) ph: (02) 9230 8567.

**8 April 2009 **