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In Brief Issue #1060
10Jun
This week, the President of the Victorian Bar, Róisín Annesley QC, tested positive for Covid and accordingly is isolating. As a result, this week, we have a Vice President’s message. I look forward to Róisín’s return to her full Presidential duties.
Last Friday night, the President and many members of the Bar attended the farewell dinner for the Honourable Geoffrey Nettle AC QC. The dinner had been scheduled and cancelled on two occasions last year due to covid, so it was wonderful for the Bar to be able to celebrate the career of one of its greatest members. Distinguished by his brilliance, his diligence, his courtesy, his generosity and his humility, Geoffrey Nettle is a rare combination. The dinner was a fitting opportunity to recognise this remarkable Bar member.
On Tuesday, I had the privilege of welcoming Justice Mandy Fox as a Judge of the Supreme Court in the morning and farewelling Judge Phillip Coish as a Judge of the County Court in the afternoon. Both were very happy occasions, and we wish each of them well as they enter this next phase of their lives.
On Thursday morning, I had the honour of welcoming Judge Maria Tsikaris as a Judge of the County Court. It was particularly pleasing that both her Honour’s parents were in Court to witness the happy event.
A reminder to members that the Special General Meeting of the Victorian Bar will be held at 5:00pm on Thursday, 16 June 2022, in the Neil McPhee Room, Level 1, Owen Dixon Chambers East, for the purpose of amending the Constitution of the Victorian Bar.
Members should have received their annual Bar Subscription packs last week. Subscription fees are due by 1 July 2022. Each pack includes letters asking for end-of-financial year donations to the four Bar charities that rely on your generosity in order to perform their work. We naturally understand that it is not possible for everyone to give at this time, but we would encourage you to consider donating if you can. Here is more information on how to make donations on the subs page.
Members may wish to attend or view the welcome ceremony for Judge Caitlin English on Thursday, 16 June 2022 at 9:15am.
I hope that all members have a happy, safe and fun long weekend.
Charles Shaw QC
Members must renew their PC before 30 June to continue to practise on 1 July. Members who renew after this date may incur a late renewal surcharge from the LSB+C.
The deadline for renewing your PII premium was 31 May 2022, and if you have not already done so, please renew online here.
Information on renewing practising certificates can be found on the VicBar website here.
Links for online lodgement, which can be found on the above webpage, will be available from the LSB+C and LPLC live dates, or you may go directly to LSB Online and the LPLC website.
Login to LSB Online and the LPLC renewal portal using your Practitioner Number as the username (your Practitioner Number will be included in the email sent to you by the VLSB+C, or you can contact the Bar office for assistance). LSB Online deals with all PC administrative matters, and there is no printed PC renewal form.
Once you have completed the renewal process, you will receive an email from the LSB to confirm that your PC has been issued. You will then be able to download it via LSB Online.
If you experience technical difficulties with LSB online, please contact the VLSB+C via their lawyer enquiry form in the first instance. In addition, answers to frequently asked questions and LSB online user guides can be found here.
Should you require assistance renewing your PC, the Victorian Bar office can help you, and members who need assistance should email membership@vicbar.com.au or contact Daphne Ioannidis on (03) 9225 8326 or Mark Bryant on (03) 9225 7111.
County Court of Victoria
A welcome sitting to mark the appointment of Her Honour Judge Caitlin English as a judge of the County Court of Victoria will be held in Ceremonial Courtroom 3.3, Level 3, 250 William Street, Melbourne on:
Thursday, 16 June 2022, at 9:15am
If you would like to attend this ceremony in-person, you will be required to be fully vaccinated and self-administer a RAT on the morning of the Welcome.
Barristers can collect a RAT from the Victorian Bar office located at Owen Dixon Chambers East, Level 5, 205 William Street.
If you are unable to attend in person, the welcome will be live-streamed here.
A Special General Meeting of the Victorian Bar will be held at 5:00pm on Thursday, 16 June 2022, in the Neil McPhee Room, Level 1, Owen Dixon Chambers East, for the purpose of amending the Constitution of the Victorian Bar Incorporated.
The Bar Council proposes a change to the Constitution aimed at ensuring that barristers who are of not less than 15 years standing but not Senior Counsel will have permanent representation on Bar Council of at least two members.
The following documents are provided:
1. Notice of the Special General Meeting of the Victorian Bar Incorporated, attaching:
a. June 2022 draft Constitution (53 pages).
b. Explanatory memorandum attaching proposed amendments and an analysis of Category A members on Bar Council from 2000 to 2022 (7 pages).
c. Proxy form prescribed by the Bar Council (1 page).
Members must be logged in to the website to view these documents.
Proxies must be received by 5:00pm, Wednesday, 15 June 2022.
The Student Engagement Committee has organised a webinar panel discussion with three barristers who will discuss how eight students (and a nun) took the Federal Environment Minister to Court on climate change and the implications of this landmark decision for Australia’s future.
The webinar will take place on: 20 June 2022, 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
If you would like to attend, click here to register.
After the fun and success of the last two years, our Vic Bar LGBTQ+ inclusive social group is holding in-person welcome drinks for existing and new members to the Bar.
Date: Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 5:00pm
Location: Essoign Club
Whether you’ve been to every single event or haven’t made it along yet, come for a relaxed drink and catch up with your friends and colleagues at the Bar. We are particularly keen to welcome new members and people who may have been meaning to come but have never!
Please wear what you want. Everyone is welcome.
If you haven’t been along before and want some company, feel free to shoot john.heard@vicbar.com.au and/or beth.warnock@vicbar.com.au an email, and we’ll look out for you on the night.
eBrief Ready’s Stephen Foley is running two complimentary ‘hands-on’ training sessions for any barristers who would like help to get started with electronic briefing. During the sessions, you can ask Stephen any questions you may have about electronic briefing and receive hands-on support to get you up and running with the technology. The sessions will be held in the Neil Forsyth Room, Owen Dixon Chambers East, from 1:00pm on Tuesday, 14 and Thursday, 16 June 2022.
- You may wish to prepay part or all of your rent for the 2023 financial year. With the 2022 financial year coming to a close, this is a reminder to contact us at bclfinance@vicbar.com.au by 15 June 2022 if you are considering prepaying part or all of next financial year's chamber charges.
- Are you traveling overseas soon? Set up Multi-Factor Authentication through BCL to help keep your data secure. Click here to read the latest communication and tips for when traveling overseas.
- COVIDSafe at BCL. The COVIDSafe at BCL web page has now been refreshed to provide information on what we are now doing in addition to healthy building improvements. We are focusing on areas such as air filtration and monitoring benefits in ensuring we have measures in place for BCL owned buildings, and we are also continuously working with the building managers (and their advisors) of our leased buildings. Click here to see what we are doing and what you need to do in an event of a positive COVID-19 result.
The following are highlights of upcoming CPD and events for Victorian Bar members. You must be a member of the Victorian Bar and log into the VicBar website to view these events.
- Forensic Science and Expert Evidence: Transparency, Validity and Reliability is on 15 June 2022 from 4:30pm-6:30pm. In recent years there has been an increased focus on the reliability, validity and transparency of expert evidence. In addition to understanding the science behind an expert opinion, counsel should understand the validity of various techniques, the potential for error or bias and how to determine actual expertise. This is an in-person event only. Click here to register.
- Trial Series 2: Cross-Examination is on 20 June 2022 from 5:15pm-6:15pm. The second seminar of the Trial Series CPD brings a panel of experienced criminal trial advocates to share their observations about cross-examination before a jury in a criminal trial. This is an in-person event and will also be available online via livestream. Click here to register.
- The Chapter III problem - Reimagining the Australian Military Justice System is on 30 June 2022 from 5:15pm-6:15pm. With the election of a new Labor Government in May 2022, this seminar will raise for discussion a new proposal for the establishment of a specialist Chapter III military court and a new form of service tribunal to address the problem where the Chapter III military court cannot or will not sit outside Australia in war or war-like operations (Australian Court Martial Tribunal) or, alternatively, that the ACMT should now take the place of all service tribunals in peacetime and in war. This is an in-person event and will also be available online via livestream. Click here to register.
For more upcoming CPD events, please visit our listings here.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations has established the “Ukraine Crisis Appeal” in partnership with Rotary Australia World Community Services (RAWCS). This volunteer organisation has close contact with people on the ground in Ukraine and thus an understanding of immediate needs and capacity to deliver aid quickly and efficiently. Active support of wounded veterans, the delivery of urgently needed specialised medical equipment and support for much needed counselling services are just some examples of work carried out. In recent weeks there has been a concentration on providing assistance by refurbishing schools, refurbishing sanatoriums and halls as comfortable family shelters and the provision of medical services in towns where these facilities have been destroyed.
Donations to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal through RAWCS are tax-deductible. RAWCS, for transparency, audit all expenditure of the fund. Members are asked to consider supporting this very important cause. You can donate by clicking here - www.ukrainecrisisappeal.org
Studio 11 is delighted to host and invite you to view its current exhibition, 50 Years as a Sculptor featuring works by Michael Meszaros OAM. The body of work comprises some 78 pieces. Some are for sale, which affords viewers a wonderful opportunity to acquire a piece of very collectable work. Meszaros has produced a large body of very recognisable work, both commissioned and for exhibition, ranging from major public works to small medals which feature in local and international collections. He has won prizes. His public works are in Melbourne, regional Victoria, interstate and overseas. The exhibition runs from 2 May to 24 June 2022. Please visit and enjoy it at your leisure.
Dear Essoign Club Members,
We are open daily from 7:30am – till late and Happy hour is back EVERY EVENING with $5 Beer and Wine from 5:00pm till close.
Breakfast - for dine-in or takeaway.
Lunch – Daily Café Menu take away or delivery.
Lunch Dine-In - A La Carte from midday.
Bar – EVERY EVENING - $5 Beer & Wine from 5pm 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.
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.
To activate your account and access the benefits, please click here. You must log in using your vicbar.com.au login details.
Click here for the monthly best buys!
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia have provided the following updates.
Barristers can tap into the full Law Library from the comfort of your own desk, whether you’re in the CBD or regional Victoria, with online access to:
- Native Title in Australia
- Defamation Law in Australia
- The Laws of Australia
- Encyclopaedic Australian Legal Dictionary
- Commonwealth Sentencing Database
- Hutley’s Australian Wills and Precedents
And many more!
Free to Victorian barristers + 100% digital + available 24/7. Register and log in here.
What we’ve heard and where to next
Feedback on Interim Report A of the Financial Services Legislation Inquiry.
Friday 17 June 2022 at 1:00pm AEST
Attendance available online or in-person at the Federal Court of Australia in Perth.
This free, interactive webinar is designed to provide insights into the ALRC's Review of the Legislative Framework for Corporations and Financial Services Regulation.
Register to attend here.
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Australia) and Melbourne University Law School warmly invite you to the launch of Commercial Arbitration in Australia Under the Model Law by Professor Doug Jones AO and Professor Janet Walker CM. The launch will feature an address by Professor Richard Garnett (Melbourne Law School), as well as the co-author of this third edition, Professor Janet Walker CM.
The launch will be followed by the 2022 Sir George Turner Public Lecture presented by Professor Doug Jones AO on ‘Australia – The Very Model of a Modern Arbitration Law’.
For more information and to register for the event, visit this link. Click here to view the flyer.
Date: 29 June 2022
Time: The launch will be held from 5:00pm to 6:00pm, followed by the Sir George Turner Lecture from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
Venue: Melbourne Law School, Law Building (Building 106)
Please note this event follows a launch held in Sydney hosted by ACICA on 22 June 2022.
Pacifica Congress, formerly the AFCC (Australian Chapter), is holding its’ annual conference in Brisbane from 7 to 9 July this year. This organisation is the leading multidisciplinary group for Family Law professionals across the legal and social science fields. The program for this year’s conference will be up to or exceed the standard of previous conferences. It is the ‘go to’ conference for those counsel who do, or need to know, parenting cases.
The program can be viewed here.
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, 16th June 2022