In Brief Issue #1033

22Oct
Christopher Blanden QC
President

Many will already be aware of the exciting news that the Bar has negotiated a new lease with the Essoign Club that will secure its future. All parties are very happy with the agreement reached, which provides the security the Club needs for appropriate future planning as an integral part of our Bar.

I would particularly like to thank Paul Clark and the Hon John Digby QC from BCL, Trevor Monti QC and Scott Smith QC from the Essoign Club and Roisin Annesley QC and Maryanne Hartley QC from the Bar Council for their combined efforts in securing the arrangements.

Last Thursday evening the Bar delivered its inaugural “Leadership at the Bar” CPD Webinar. The event was the culmination of a vast amount of work and was very well attended. May I extend my thanks to all those who participated, in particular Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Ferguson and Justice John Middleton of the Federal Court. A large number of members were involved in the planning and organisation required to co-ordinate the many participants, but may I single out Jenny Firkin QC without whose tireless efforts, the CPD would simply not have been possible.

On Monday Roisin Annesley QC and I had a meeting with the Attorney General Jaclyn Symes. Discussions largely centred on addressing the backlog of cases in all courts and the timing and rollout of courts re-opening. At the moment various vaccination issues seem to be holding things up. It is hoped these problems will be resolved in the near future and we will all have a clearer view of what the return to court will look like soon.

Last night I had the pleasure of welcoming the September 2021 Readers group as they ‘virtually’ signed the Bar Roll. This was the second (and hopefully last!) cohort of readers to undertake the course entirely remotely. As such, they are yet to experience any semblance of life in chambers and have been unable to meet any other members of Counsel. Could I therefore ask that all members of the Bar, make a special effort to welcome and get to know them when restrictions and attendance permits.

Christopher Blanden QC

Vicbar News & Events
Notice of Annual General Meetings ­of Victorian Bar Inc, and Barristers’ Benevolent Association of Victoria

The Annual General Meetings of Victorian Bar Inc, and Barristers’ Benevolent Association of Victoria will be held on Monday, 25 October 2021 at 5:00pm via Zoom.

Victorian Bar Inc

If you would like to attend the meeting please click on the below link to register your attendance. You will be sent a direct link to the meeting by email following your registration. Registration closes at 4:30pm on Monday, 25 October 2021.

Click here to download the minutes of the 2020 Annual General Meeting
Click here to download the minutes of the 4 August 2021 Special General Meeting
Click here to download the Form for Appointment of Proxy.

Click here to register.

The Annual report is now available on the member section of the VicBar website here.

 

Barristers’ Benevolent Association of Victoria

If you would like to attend the meeting please click on the below link to register your attendance. You will be sent a direct link to the meeting by email following your registration.  Registration closes at 4:30pm on Monday, 25 October 2021.

Click here to download the minutes of the 2020 Annual General Meeting.

Click here to register.

Voting in the 2021/2022 Victorian Bar Council Election opens at 9:00am Wednesday, 27 October 2021

Voting for the 2021/2022 Bar Council election opens at 9:00am on Wednesday, 27 October 2021 and closes at 5:00pm on Wednesday, 10 November 2021.

Members will receive an email with voting instructions next week.

September 2021 Readers Virtual Signing Ceremony

It is with great pleasure that we welcome our September 2021 Bar Readers who officially signed the Bar Roll during a virtual ceremony last night.

With social distancing restrictions in place, the course delivery was modified to allow for remote participation, yet not even the extended lockdown or an earthquake could dampen the spirits of this cohort.

Ranging in ages from 23 to 46 years old and boasting professionals from vast and varied experience, education, culture, and skill, we are delighted to welcome them to the Bar.

What makes your life better? Could it be useful to your colleagues?

Do you have a resource that helps you manage stress effectively?  Or a helpful app for dealing with insomnia? Or an online exercise class you’d recommend to colleagues?  

The Health and Wellbeing Committee would like to include resources on the Health and Wellbeing Portal that have been tried, tested and recommended by members. If you have any helpful resources please email them to sallyflynn@vicbar.com.au        

Personal stories of challenges and strategies – anonymous or identified   

The Health and Wellbeing Committee would like to include personal stories on the Health and Wellbeing Portal. In the UK, the Bar’s wellbeing portal includes barristers and a judge sharing stories related to health and wellbeing at the Bar – either on an anonymous or identified basis.

For example, the UK website has one barrister who speaks about practising with depression, and another who reflects on the impact of vicarious trauma.

The Committee would like to include personal stories on the Portal so members can hear how others have managed the important issues we all face. If you are interested in sharing your story – either anonymously or identified – please email sallyflynn@vicbar.com.au.     

Practical Ways to assist Refugees and Asylum Seekers

WBA Women leading the conversation – practical ways to provide assistance to refugees and asylum seekers

A few weeks ago, WBA presented Women Leading the Conversation: Women in Afghanistan. Since that time, many Afghani families have arrived in Australia, having fled from the Taliban in Afghanistan. In this discussion, we invite people to come and hear about practical ways in which they can provide assistance and support to refugees and asylum seekers, from pro bono legal advice, to mentoring and sponsorship. Chaired by Dr Kylie Weston-Scheuber, the panel will feature:

Lisa Button – CEO of Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia
Cindy Carpenter – Director, Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia
Selena Choo – Humans Like Us
Shabnam Safa – Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia
Rachel Saravanamuthu – Senior Solicitor, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

DATE
Wednesday, 27 October 2021 

TIME
5:15pm - 6:15pm

VENUE
Online via Zoom

RSVP (ESSENTIAL)
Tuesday, 26 October 2021

Click here to register.

BCL - ​​​​​​​Staying COVIDSafe at BCL: Swipe access required effective Monday 11 October

As we have throughout the pandemic, Barristers’ Chambers Limited and The Victorian Bar remain focused on safeguarding the health, safety and wellbeing of the Bar, our people, our contractors and the community.

All buildings and a large proportion of individual floors remain on restricted access as we have done throughout Lockdowns.  As we come out of restrictions and living with the virus it is important to continue to reiterate the importance of all of us (barristers, clerks, all occupants, BCL employees, contractors and public visitors) having responsibility in doing their part.

One small part of this is to ensure we are minimising the spread of COVID-19 as we increasingly return to chambers. Whilst most buildings and floors are already restricted and group representatives have been informed, effective Monday 11 October swipe cards are again required until further notice in all BCL buildings (including Owen Dixon Chambers East and West), lift lobbies and individual floors (if this arrangement is not already in place). 

Please refer to Staying COVIDSafe at BCL for all information, communications, helpful links to COVID safe plans and restrictions as they happen and what we all need to do.

FCFCOA Pro Bono Scheme Launch

Pro Bono Scheme Launch is on Tuesday, 26 October, 5:15-6:15pm. In this seminar there will be a formal launch of a new pilot pro bono Scheme established between the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) and the Victorian Bar. The launch will coincide with a CPD Seminar, with the guest speakers discussing the operation of the Scheme, the criteria for referral of requests and the use of the Pro Bono Platform for the advertising and allocation of matters. This is an online-only event. Click here to register

Call for Expressions of Interest - Nomination for appointment to the Supreme Court Library Committee

The Victorian Bar has been invited to nominate two local legal practitioners for appointment to the Supreme Court Library Committee. In accordance with the Supreme Court Library Rules (Rule 7 of Supreme Court Library Rules 2019), these appointees must be confirmed by the Council of Judges in December each year.

All members of the Supreme Court Library Committee sit ex officio on the Law Library of Victoria Committee.

The Library’s mission is to support the administration of, and access to, justice, and the practice of law by providing comprehensive and authoritative legal information to judicial officers, the profession and the

community of Victoria.

We achieve this by prioritising:

  • Providing a comprehensive and authoritative collection of legal resources
  • Enhancing legal research capabilities
  • Increasing awareness and reach of resources and services
  • Strengthen collaboration and partnerships with jurisdictions and key organisations within the legal profession
  • Enhancing library governance and continuing to develop a modern and dynamic workforce for the future.

Services are primarily digital (via www.lawlibrary.vic.gov.au), and provide equitable access to library services and resources to practitioners across all of Victoria.

Interested members should submit their expression of interest, together with a copy of their CV and details of any relevant experience or expertise.

The Bar’s protocol for nomination and appointment of Vic Bar members to external bodies can be viewed here.

Please direct any enquiries or Expressions of Interest to Denise Bennett at denise.bennett@vicbar.com.au.

The closing date for Expressions of Interest is Monday, 8 November 2021.

Call for Nominations for Law Council of Australia: National Security Law Committee

The Bar Council is seeking nominations for one (1) appointment to the LCA National Security Law Committee (NSLC).

The role of the Committee is, at the direction of the Law Council Executive, to advise the Law Council and prepare submissions on matters related to Australia’s national security policies and laws and laws to the extent that they relate to Australia’s national security framework.

Items on the National Security Law Committee agenda include:

  1. advise the Law Council in relation to the operation, effectiveness and implications of:
    1. Australia’s national security laws; and
    2. any other law of the Commonwealth to the extent that it relates to Australia’s national security laws;
  2. advise the Law Council on whether any policies or laws mentioned in paragraph (a):
    1. contains appropriate safeguards for protecting the rights of individuals; and
    2. remains proportionate to any threat of terrorism or threat to national security, or both; and
    3. remains necessary;
  3. inform public advocacy and bilateral government engagement, including but not limited to participating in the drafting of submissions, parliamentary or executive inquiries or reviews on behalf of the Law Council as requested; and
  4. consider any other relevant issues that may arise.

The Committee will meet as required to perform its functions. The Committee will normally meet by video conference and/or telephone but may meet face-to-face once per calendar year.

The Bar’s protocol for nomination and appointment of Vic Bar members to external bodies can be viewed here. You are encouraged to provide a detailed expression of interest, which should identify any relevant areas of experience or expertise. This will assist the Bar Council to select the best candidate for the position.

Please forward your expression of interest to Miranda Tulloch at miranda.tulloch@vicbar.com.au. The closing date for EOIs is 5:00pm Friday, 22 October, 2021.

Victorian Bar member CPD and events

The following are highlights of upcoming CPD and events for Victorian Bar members. You must be a member of the Victorian Bar and logged into the VicBar website to view these events.

  • The VLA preferred barristers list - what is it? how do I get on it? and can I get an exemption? is on Monday, 25 October, 5:00-6:00pm. This session will cover how Barristers can apply to be on the Criminal Trial Preferred Barrister List, as well as the circumstances where exceptions will be granted. This session is open only to barristers and is an online-only event. Click here to register.
     
  • Effective Time Management (in lockdown and beyond) is on Wednesday, 27 October, 1:00-2:00pm. In this session, three members of the Bar will share their experience and strategies for taking on the demands of practice while still managing to have “a life”. This is an online-only event. Click here to register.
     
  • Supreme Court Institutional Liability List is on Thursday, 28 October, 5:15-6:15pm. This seminar will discuss a range of issues which arise in the Institutional Liability list including case management compliance, stay applications, the assessment of economic loss, previous settlements and recent decisions. This session is open only to barristers and is an online-only event. Click here to register.

For more upcoming CPD events, please visit our listings here.

Vicbar Life
Legal Home Loans

Legal Home Loans is Australia’s only mortgage and finance broking firm for barristers. With access to all major lenders and private banks, we’ll secure the best loan tailored to you.

Whether you are buying your first home, refinancing an existing mortgage, or are looking for an astute investment, Legal Home Loans will structure your lending to maximise your borrowing potential and minimise costs. Due to your elite standing in society, you are eligible to receive specific benefits and exemptions when obtaining finance as you are seen to be low-risk clients in the eyes of most lenders.

Our vision is to empower all barristers to achieve their personal and professional goals, allowing them to fully focus on the law and their careers whilst knowing their financial house is in order. Legal Home Loans is your conduit and will navigate the lending landscape on your behalf, saving you valuable time, money and stress. Speak to our team today.

legalhomeloans.com.au

(02) 9030 0420⠀

enquiries@legalhomeloans.com.au⠀
 

 

 

 

Member Benefits portal for Bar members

Victorian Bar members are encouraged to use the Member Benefits online portal, where you can access a wide variety of discounts, special offers, and member-only deals as part of your Bar membership.

The exclusive benefits are available Australia-wide and are not generally open to the public.

Click here to see the monthly best buys!

To activate your account and access the benefits, please click here. You must log in using your vicbar.com.au login details.

The Essoign Club

Dear Essoign Club Members,

Welcome Back!

We are open daily from 7am – till late

Breakfast - for dine-in or takeaway.

Lunch – Daily Café Menu take away or delivery.

Lunch Dine-In - A La Carte from midday.

Bar – is open till late with light snacks available.

Catering & Events - Special lunches, working lunches, private dinners or something special you may have in mind. Email us at essoign@vicbar.com.au

We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you in the Club.

Practice & Profession News
Commonwealth and Victorian Courts' COVID updates

For up-to-date information about the Courts’ responses, please visit their websites:

  • Federal Court of Australia – see here.
  • Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – see here.
  • Supreme Court of Victoria – see here.
  • County Court of Victoria – see here.
  • Magistrates’ Court of Victoria – see here.
Law Library Survey and Digital Bar Library

Law Library Survey

The Library is looking for lawyers to participate in research to help us understand how lawyers use the library, how and where lawyers get information outside of the library, and how we can help lawyers access digital services. This initiative was mentioned recently in the Legal Services Commissioner’s update.

Those who click on the link in the text below will be directed to a form that will record your details and an independent firm will contact you to conduct a short telephone survey.

The Law Library wants to listen to judges and practitioners describe their information needs. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/lawlibrary and let them know that you’re ready to talk.

We will be using the results of the research to improve the library service.

Digital Bar Library

Reinforce your argument with authoritative legal resources available to you 24/7 at the Richard Griffith Library and the Digital Bar Library.

The collections are curated by law librarians who can also assist you with case research, database selection, and research strategies.

Find out more at lawlibrary.vic.gov.au.

Profession CPD & Events
A conversation with... Sandie Okoro

Monday 25 October 2021, 3:00pm - 4:00pm BST

The International Bar Association are delighted to announce further information on our 'A conversation with...' sessions, and their speakers, taking place during the IBA Global Showcase.

Register for free.

To submit your questions for Dr Sandie Okoro to be asked during the conversation with sessions, email IBAmarketing@int-bar.org.

 

Upcoming Monash events

Bob Baxt AO Annual Address: Professor John C. Coffee

Join Professor John C. Coffee for the inaugural Bob Baxt AO Annual Address in Corporate & Commercial Law

Speaker

Professor John C. Coffee, Adolf A. Berle Professor of Law, Columbia University Law School

John C. Coffee specialises in corporate law and governance, securities regulation and white collar crime.

In this Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies event on Friday, 26 October 2021, Professor Coffee will be speaking on his address title: The Coming Shift in Shareholder Activism: From "Firm-Specific" to "Systematic Risk" Proxy Campaigns (and How to Enable Them). Professor The Honourable Marilyn Warren AC QC, former Chief Justice of The Supreme Court of Victoria will provide the introductory remarks.

Register here.

 

2021 Susan Campbell Oration

You are warmly invited to the 2021 Susan Campbell Oration on the topic of Street Law: Legal Literacy from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, on Wednesday 27 October 2021 from 6:00-7:00pm (AEDT).

Street Law involves legal literacy programs designed to enable law students and others to make people aware of their legal rights and where to obtain assistance.

The 2021 Susan Campbell Oration by Professor David McQuoid-Mason will address the potential for Street Law programs to contribute to clinical legal education and access to justice.

Professor McQuoid-Mason will share insights from his extensive experience of contributing to Street Law programs in countries from Afghanistan to Moldova to Zimbabwe.

Register here.

Australian Insurance Law Association E-Trials Webinar - Thursday, 28 October 2021

Please click here to view the flyer for the upcoming AILA webinar on Thursday, 28 October 2021 (1:00–2:00pm).

The webinar focuses on ‘judicial expectations and arrangements for remote hearings’ and includes Bar members Mary Anne Hartley QC, Michael K Clarke and Lachlan Howe.

Careers & Opportunities
In Brief submissions

If you would like to contribute relevant news, events, and updates for barristers and the legal profession to In Brief, please send an email with your content to inbrief@vicbar.com.au or complete this submission form.

Deadline for the next issue:5pm, 28th October 2021