In Brief Issue #871

29Jun

Tour of Government House

Indigenous barristers and solicitors, law students and their mentors were treated to an exclusive tour of Government House this week, including the State Apartments and the artworks. There was special emphasis on the contemporary use of the House and the role of the Governor.

The tour was the initiative of Tony Howard QC, who is of course a member and great friend of the Victorian Bar. My thanks go to Tony for conceiving of and facilitating the event and for the insightful tour he conducted.  

Chair of the Bar’s Indigenous Justice Committee, Anne Sheehan says of the photo below:

“When I see the [photo] I have hope for the future. These are all small things, the hope is that over time more Indigenous law students and lawyers will be able to see a career for themselves as barristers.”

 

The tour complemented a number of initiatives of the Bar that are aimed at supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples considering a career in the law, and preferably at the Victorian Bar. Information about the Bar’s policies and initiatives can be found here.

 

Silk applications close next week

Applications for members wishing to be considered for appointment as Senior Counsel in and for the State of Victorian in 2018 close next Thursday, 5 July 2018 at 5pm sharp. Details of the process for the appointment of Senior Counsel in 2018 can be found here. The Chief Justice has published an important message for intending applicants, which can be found here. The application form can be found here

My own summary of the changes to the process is available in the In Brief archives

If you are planning to apply, please do not leave it until the last minute. Late applications cannot be accepted.

 

New conduct policies and procedures commence next week

The Bar’s new policies against sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination commence next week, together with new processes for lodging reports and complaints.

Whether or not you have experienced inappropriate behaviour, I urge you to familiarise yourself with the new policies and procedures and bookmark the page, because they also provide important new tools for those who find themselves in the position of not wanting to endorse inappropriate behaviour or discrimination they have witnessed by remaining silent.

 

Litigation Funding and Group Proceedings

Last week, the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s report, Access to Justice—Litigation Funding and Group Proceedings, was tabled in Parliament. The report makes a number of recommendations, including that lawyers should be permitted to charge contingency fees in limited circumstances (not including personal injury, criminal or family law matters), with court approval and supervision, including as to the determination of the rate. I congratulate the Chair of the VLRC, the Hon Philip Cummins AM, and his team on the completion of this mammoth project and commend the report to members.

 

New edition of Victorian Bar News

The latest edition of our in-house journal, the Victorian Bar News, should have hit members’ in-trays this week.

As always, it is a great read, featuring—among much more—interviews with President Chris Maxwell, new DPP Kerri Judd QC and yours truly; a look back at last year’s marriage equality survey by Kathleen Foley; a piece on authorised law reporting in the 21st century by Justice Cameron Macaulay; and an hilarious piece on the acquisition of letters before and after one’s name by Dr Bryan Keon-Cohen AM QC, PhD (Mon), LLM, LLB, BA (Melb) Dip Ed (Mon).

Congratulations to the VBN editors and Committee for producing another very high quality publication showcasing so much of what goes on in and around the Victorian Bar.

 

Expressions of Interest – Firearms Appeals Committee

The Victorian Police Minister has requested that the Victorian Bar nominate members to the Firearms Appeals Committee.  There are more details and a position description in the Notices section below.
 

Early Bird Tickets to the Hong Kong ICLC Conference close tomorrow - 30 June at Midnight!

It’s your last chance to pick up an Early Bird ticket to the VicBar / CommBar International Commercial Law Conference.  I am delighted to announce the keynote speakers will be the Hon Justice John Middleton of the Federal Court of Australia, the Hon Justice Jeremy Poon of the Court of Appeal of the High Court of Hong Kong, and the Hon Justice William Alstergren, Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and Deputy Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia.
 

Appointments and Farewells

Congratulations this week to Daniel Crennan QC, who is set to take on a new role as a Deputy Chairperson of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission with special responsibility for enforcement, commencing on 16 July this year.  Daniel has made an extraordinary contribution to the Bar and BCL over many years.

Congratulations, too, to Mia Styliannou on her appointment as a Magistrate. Ms Stylianou was admitted to practice in 1993 and has been at the Victorian Bar for more than 10 years, before which she was an Associate Public Defender at Victoria Legal Aid.

Paul Holdenson QC represented the Bar at the welcome for Magistrate Tara Hartnett yesterday.  A copy of Paul’s speech can be read here

 

Wellbeing Survey

Thanks to all members who have completed the ‘Wellbeing at the Victorian Bar’ survey. We are still 110 short of our target of 1,000. The survey is open until 6pm on Monday 2 July. If you haven’t participated yet, please try and find 10 minutes before Monday evening to contribute to this valuable project. The link is here. We will report the findings and recommendations later in the year.

 

Christmas in July

As the period for completing the wellbeing survey draws to a close, I am reminded of how important it is for all of us to take time off to decompress from the unique pressures of our work as barristers and reconnect with family and friends.

I know that many members will be taking a break in the next few weeks to mark the middle of the year. I am in that category myself and am looking forward to drawing breath for a moment or two (or three or four).

While I am on leave, the major focus of my weekly message in In Brief will be some of the signature priorities of the Bar Council in the months ahead.

Best wishes to all members who are taking a break. For those of you who are working through, please hold the fort in my absence.

Vicbar News & Events
Wellbeing at the Victorian Bar survey - FINAL WEEK

Thanks to all members who have completed the ‘Wellbeing at the Victorian Bar’ survey. We are still 110 short of our target of 1,000. The survey is open until 6pm on Monday 2 July. If you haven’t participated yet, please try and find 10 minutes before Monday evening to contribute to this valuable project. The link is here. We will report the findings and recommendations later in the year.

Victorian Bar Membership Subscriptions 2018-2019

The 2018-2019 Victorian Bar subscription invoice is now available here https://www.vicbar.com.au/members/victorian-bar/bar-subscriptions via the orange “Online Bar Subscriptions” button (you need login to the Bar website to access this page).   

Your Guide to Membership Subscriptions is available on the Bar Subscriptions page of the website.

The Guide to membership subscriptions includes information as to how to pay your bar subscription online and also includes donation forms for members who would like to support:

This year Bar subscription materials were distributed electronically. If you would like a hard copy sent to you or require any further assistance please email membership@vicbar.com.au or contact Daphne Ioannidis on (03) 9225 7111.

If you experience any difficulties accessing the Victorian Bar website or the online payment system please contact Trevor Robinson on (03) 9225 8314.

Early-bird registrations closing EOFY - HK 2018 ICLC

Early-bird registrations are open until 30 June 2018 for the Hong Kong 2018 International Commercial Law Conference – see our website to register and for details on the program, accommodation and flights. 

We are delighted to announce the keynote speakers will be the Hon Justice John Middleton of the Federal Court of Australia, the Hon Justice Jeremy Poon of the Court of Appeal of the High Court of Hong Kong, and the Hon Justice William Alstergren, Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and Deputy Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia.

The Gala Dinner will be held at the exclusive, members-only China Club: opened by the late entrepreneur, Sir David Tang, the opulent club is located at the top of the Old Bank of China building and is home to a unique collection of contemporary Chinese art, incredible Cantonese food, and unparalleled views of Hong Kong.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to receive conference updates. 

 

UPDATED - Young CommBar Hong Kong 2018 ICLC Speaking Competition - Win a free Trip to Hong Kong!

Win a trip to attend the Hong Kong 2018 International Commercial Law Conference www.hk2018iclc.com

Prize Includes: 

  • economy return airfare;
  • complimentary full conference registration; and
  • the opportunity to participate in the Hong Kong 2018 ICLC as a panel member for one of the conference sessions. 

To win, submit a 3-page written submission on one of the following topics:

  1. Is Privacy Dead? Use and Misuse of Sensitive Data 

    Is there a right to privacy, or even an entitlement to be forgotten?
    Does or can the common law provide an answer to this question?
    How can clients in litigation protect or obtain sensitive data from online platforms and from holders of such? 
    How safe is your client’s Ashley Madison profile? 
    And how safe are the details of your client’s bank account in Panama which were used to set up their Ashley Madison account?

     
  2. ‘Words Without Borders: Defamation and the Internet’
    What constitutes publication on the internet? 
    Do special rules apply for Google, Wikipedia and Facebook, or is Webb v Bloch still good law? 
    The internet is now more often than not the new defamation battlefield rather than print and broadcast media. 
    How can convenors of online platforms or blogs, social media account holders or users and social media providers be held to account for content published online which they ultimately are able to control?

Key Dates:

  • Submission deadline is Thursday 19 July 2018, submit your application to hk2018iclc@vicbar.com.au
  • Speaking Competition on Thursday 26 July 2018

Submissions must address the nominated topic and explain why the entrant should present on the topic, comprise of no more than 3 A4 pages in Times New Roman, size 12 font and 1.5 line spacing. Please submit in electronic form as a word document. 
Finalists will be invited to compete at a function attended by fellow barristers and young solicitors to be followed by a drinks function. 

The competition is an excellent way for the junior commercial bar to promote itself amongst its solicitor peers.

* Competition is open to barristers who are members of CommBar and as at 1 January 2018, are less than 5 years call to the Victorian Bar, and less than 10 years since admission as a legal practitioner in an Australian state or territory. 
 

Expressions of Interest - Firearms Appeals Committee

Expressions of Interest are sought from members to be nominated by the Bar to the Victorian Government for appointment to the Firearms Appeals Committee.  Click here for the Position Description.

The Firearms Appeals Committee (the Committee) is an independent statutory appeals body established under section 154(1) of the Firearms Act 1996 (Vic).  The function of the Committee is to review firearm licensing decisions of the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in the circumstances in which a right to review is given to any person by or under the Act.

The Committee is to consist of 15 persons appointed by the Governor-in-Council.  Of the persons appointed to the Committee, there are to be five legal members, five ministerial members and five members form the prescribed shooting organisations.

There is currently more than one vacancy within the legal members.  The Victorian Government has requested the Bar nominate three members for consideration by the Governor In Council. Expressions of interest will be considered in accordance with the Victorian Bar’s external appointments protocol. 

Expressions of Interest will be considered by the Executive, and a recommendation of the requisite three nominations will be provided to the Bar Council for approval at its next meeting on 26 July 2018.

Please send your Expression of Interest by email to elizabeth.ingham@vicbar.com.au.  In the email, please set out

* your expertise that is relevant to the general attributes of the role (which are set out in the position description

* your previous contribution to or involvement with the Committee

* in the case of members seeking reappointment, the length of time already served

Please attach your CV, as the Minister has requested that the Bar provide a CV for each of the Bar's nominees.

The closing date for Expressions of Interest is Wednesday 18 July 2018.  

EOFY Crim Law Drinks - Supporting Beyond Blue

PC & PII Renewal 2018/19 - $176 surcharge applies for renewals made between 1 June - 30 June

PC renewals made between 1 June and 30 June will incur a $176 surcharge. 

The LPLC payment of the professional indemnity insurance (PII) premium was due 31 May 2018. 

You should have received an email from the Legal Services Board (LSB) outlining details of the PC and PII renewal process. (Information is also provided on the Bar’s website).  

Links for online lodgement are available through your member home page or you may go directly to LSB Online and LPLC website. Login to LSB Online and LPLC renewal using your Practitioner Number as the username (your Practitioner Number is published in the email sent to you by the LSB  or you can contact the Bar Office for assistance). If you experience technical difficulties, please contact the LSB Online help desk by email online@lsbc.vic.gov.au in the first instance.

The LSB Online service deals with all PC administrative matters. There is no printed PC renewal form. Should you require assistance renewing your PC, the Victorian Bar Office can help you to access and use LSB Online, members who wish to attend the Bar office for assistance please do so between 9am - 3pm or contact Daphne Ioannidis on 9225 8326 to make an appointment.

The forms for LPLC Applicant Declaration (PII) are now available from the LPLC’s website or from the Victorian Bar Office on Level 5 205 William Street, however, practitioners are encouraged to renew online.

Optional Top Up insurance for barristers is available through Affinity Brokers. Inquiries to Affinity should be directed to Mary Spanos on (03)8587 7760 or mspanos@affinity.com.au.
Links to the application form and other relevant documents: 

The Victorian Bar Foundation’s Student Achievement Award and Mentoring Program

The Victorian Bar Foundation’s Student Achievement Award and Mentoring Program aims to encourage young adults from diverse backgrounds to consider a career at the Bar and convey the message that the Bar is open to all.

In its inaugural year, fifteen of the highest ranking legal studies students from schools in the City of Hume have been awarded a $1,500 prize in recognition of their academic excellence. A wider group of talented legal studies students, including the prize winners, are being mentored by junior barristers from our Bar. The Foundation wishes to express its gratitude to the barristers below, who have generously donated their time to mentor the students from the City of Hume, as well as to past donors to the Foundation who made offering the prize possible.

The Foundation will in due course consider extending the prize and the program to reach further students in future years. The Foundation may also consider including students in other regional areas. If you wish to support the extension of the Student Achievement Award and Mentoring Program, please consider making a donation to the Foundation this year (the Foundation’s donation letter can be found at the following link https://www.vicbar.com.au/sites/default/files/Donation%20Letter.pdf and the Foundation’s donation form can be found at the following link - https://www.vicbar.com.au/sites/default/files/Donation%20Form%20.pdf)

Thank you to the Victorian Bar Foundation mentors: 

  • Adam Baker
  • Edward Batrouney
  • Elizabeth Bennett
  • Georgia Berlic
  • Oren Bigos
  • Kate Bourke
  • Kat Brazenor
  • Roxanne Burd
  • Catherine Button
  • Fiona Cameron
  • Roshan Chaile
  • Georgie Coleman
  • Renee Enbom
  • Kylie Evans
  • Kathleen Foley
  • Robert Forrester
  • Matthew Goldberg
  • Timothy Goodwin
  • Krystyna Grinberg
  • Min Guo
  • Astrid Haban-Beer
  • Haroon Hassan
  • Justin Hooper
  • Mark Hosking
  • Leigh Howard
  • Rebecca Howe
  • Nasos Kaskani
  • Angela Lee
  • Hadi Mazloum
  • Banjo McLachlan
  • Nina Moncrief
  • Sandip Mukerjea
  • Adrian Muller
  • Emrys Nekvapil
  • Will Newland
  • Claire Nicholson
  • Charles Parkinson
  • Jesse Rudd
  • Daniel Sala
  • Raelene Sharp
  • Tom Smyth
  • Daniel Snyder
  • Myles Tehan
  • Chris Tran
  • Caryn van Proctor
  • Jillian Williams
Victorian Bar Member CPD Events

Upcoming CPD events:

You must be a member of the Victorian Bar and logged into the VicBar website to view the following events.

Vicbar Life
Studio 11 Art Exhibition - ​Claire Lefebvre ​

Art Exhibition at Level 11 Owen Dixon Chambers East (aka Studio 11). Barristers on Level 11 of ODC East invite you to come view solo art exhibition by Melbourne Artist, Claire Lefebvre, "Lush. Layer Light", featuring some 20 works, comprising a series of paintings and limited edition prints which use layering techniques and mark making such as dots and lines. The works explore human emotion and perception as well as the material potential of acrylic paint, ink and various gloss and matte mediums. The paintings allude to architectural and biological forms, with surfaces which invite touch.

The exhibition runs from 16 April - 29 June. The works are for sale with no commission payable. Worksheets are found on level 11 East. Come up, have a break and just admire the work which is there to be enjoyed and shared.  

"Studio 11" as it is colloquially referred to hosts art exhibitions on a term by term, voluntary basis. The aim is to allow all members of the Victorian Bar, colleagues, clients, staff, family and friends to easily access, enjoy and celebrate various original art by local artists in the work environment.

The Environmental Defenders Office NT's online Aboriginal Art Auction 2018

The Environmental Defenders Office NT (EDONT) is pleased to invite you to take part in our annual online Aboriginal Art Auction, with bidding now underway. 

In 2018, we are proud to have a beautiful collection of 77 works from 7 art centres and individual artists across the remote Northern Territory - from the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin, across to Arnhem Land and the Gulf of Carpentaria, and down to Central Australia. 

The EDONT's auction is a unique event. It brings together a diverse range of artists in an exhibition that celebrates both traditional and contemporary practices.

The collection offers insight into the ancestral knowledge and cultural expression which are deeply linked to the land and people EDONT works to support.

The auction is EDONT's largest fundraiser and is critical to its survival. Importantly, the event also provides income to the contributing artists and art centres, with proceeds split between the parties. 

As the only public interest environmental law centre in the Northern Territory, our continued existence is more important than ever.

The Northern Territory Government has recently announced its intention to lift the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, and implement an ambitious reform program that will fundamentally re-shape the Territory's environmental regulatory framework. The EDONT has a vital role to play in holding the government to account to deliver strong environmental laws to regulate fracking. 

EDONT also continues to bring landmark environmental litigation. In 2018, we are acting on behalf of the Environment Centre NT in the NT Supreme Court, challenging government decisions to permit 20,000ha of land clearing without a formal environmental impact assessment and without properly considering climate change. 

Bidding in the auction will ensure EDONT can continue assisting our clients to use the law to defend the environment. 

To view the collection, register to bid and find out about terms and conditions, visit www.art4edont.com 

Bidding is available until 12 July 2018 

Law and religious freedom

Date & Time: Wednesday 25 July 2018, 6pm - 7:30pm 

A free event to celebrate the release of Associate Professor Luke Beck's new book Religious Freedom and the Australian Constitution: Origins and Future (Routledge, 2018).

Click here for more information and to register. 

Click here to download the book flyer with discount code. 

 

The Essoign - A Night at the Opera

Opera comes to the Essoign on Friday 17 August.

The Melba Opera Trust’s latest production takes you on a recital journey of evincing beauty and passion from all corners of the globe.

The sublime loveliness of Mozart, the volatile love of Carmen and the elegance of the French opera Hamlet and a swirl through the romance of Broadway with Bolcom.

This will be an evening to delight, captivate and enthralling in equal measure. Featuring some of Australia’s finest young operatic voices, this is an event not to be missed.  

Book now at www.trybooking.com/WFWU

Click here to download the event flyer.

The Essoign - Drink specials and bar snacks

The Essoign Club has Drinks specials and Bar snacks every day from 4pm. Come in and enjoy and stay warm!

Member Benefits Australia - June exclusive member offers

Don't miss these EOFY member deals from Land Rover, Mazda, LG and more!

Practice & Profession News
eFiling at SCV – less than a week to go

The Supreme Court is urging people to prepare for the move to eFiling on Monday 2 July 2018, when all documents for Common Law, Commercial Court and Costs Court matters will be electronically filed in the RedCrest filing platform. The Court is recommending people pre-register before 2 July and familiarise themselves with RedCrest and its features by watching a video of a recent information session, which can be accessed via this link: https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/contact-us/news/redcrest-efiling-video

New Sentencing Snapshots for Six Violent Offences

The Council has released new Sentencing Snapshots for six violence-related offences sentenced in the Victorian higher courts (the Supreme and County Courts) in the five years to 30 June 2017.

Along with aggravated burglary and armed robbery, this release covers four cause injury offences: causing injury intentionally, causing injury recklessly, causing serious injury intentionally and causing serious injury recklessly. Each Sentencing Snapshot presents data on the type and length of sentences imposed for the principal proven offence (the most serious offence) in a case.

The latest Snapshots reveal that the use of community correction orders to sentence aggravated burglary, armed robbery and causing serious injury offences has decreased, particularly in 2016–17. At the same time, the percentage of people sentenced to imprisonment has increased for all six offences. Average imprisonment lengths are also increasing.

Over the five years to 30 June 2017:

  • 86% of the 499 people sentenced for aggravated burglary received an immediate custodial sentence. The median imprisonment term was 2 years and 9 months while the maximum was 8 years. In 2016–17, the average term of imprisonment increased to 3 years and 3 months (from 2 years and 8 months in the previous year)
  • 82% of the 988 people sentenced for armed robbery received an immediate custodial sentence. The median imprisonment term was 2 years and 10 months while the maximum was 14 years and 2 months. In 2016–17, the average term of imprisonment increased to 3 years and 1 month (from 1 year and 11 months in the previous year)
  • 91% of the 276 people sentenced for causing serious injury intentionally received an immediate custodial sentence. The median imprisonment term was 5 years while the maximum was 12 years. In 2016–17, the average term of imprisonment increased to 5 years and 4 months (from 4 years and 4 months in the previous year)
  • 79% of the 357 people sentenced for causing serious injury recklessly received an immediate custodial sentence. The median imprisonment term was 2 years and 6 months while the maximum was 6 years. In 2016–17, the average term of imprisonment increased to 3 years and 1 month (from 1 year and 9 months in the previous year).

The new Sentencing Snapshots are available from the Sentencing Advisory Council website.

Access to Justice – Fitzroy Legal Service

Fitzroy Legal Service is holding a fundraising campaign for our public interest law work.  

We’ve had some great impact with our public interest work in recent times:

  • We prompted changes to the secrecy provisions in the Australian Border Force Act
  • Forced the release of the business case for the East West Link
  • Got children relocated from Barwon maximum security adult prison
  • Successfully campaigned against the City of Melbourne’s ‘anti-camping’ and ‘move on’ laws
  • And just this week we lodged a submission urging the Victorian Government to reconsider the proposed amendments mandating imprisonment for assaults against emergency workers

Your support will help us continue to stand up to government overreach and unjust laws.

Profession CPD & Events
Privacy, Technology & Cyber Security Conference

The World Law Forum is an independent, non-partisan, international community of change-makers committed to promoting the rule of law and transforming the world through law. The World Law Forum stands to unite a new generation of collaborators and leaders within and beyond law through Advocacy, Education, Innovation and Research. The Forum focuses on issues related to Business and Human Rights; Technology & Cyber Security; Rule of Law and Access to Justice; Freedom of Expression; Environment & Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion. 3 conferences in 3 different cities (Melbourne, Sydney and New Delhi) on 3 different topics will be running from June to August 2018. More information can be found at www.worldlawforum.org.  Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to receive the most up-to-date information.

La Trobe Law School - Networks of Complicity and Networks of Empowerment: The Influence of Social Networks on Ethical Decision-making

Date & Time: Monday 2 July 2018, 12noon-1pm
Venue: La Trobe University, Melbourne (Bundoora) campus, Martin Building, Level 2, room 241
Presenter: Meme Drumwright

Unethical conduct has been uncovered in many types of organizations—businesses, governments, and non-profits. In some cases, it is surprisingly persistent, occurs over the long-term, and is tacitly acknowledged as “the way things are done around here.” The widespread revelations of inappropriate behaviour within Hollywood production houses and newsrooms illustrate the prevalence of sexual harassment and abuse (e.g., Harvey Weinstein, Roger Ailes, Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose).

The accounting fraud that resulted in the ultimate demise of Enron is another example of long-term unethical and illegal conduct. Volkswagen Diesel’s cheating in emissions testing, and SNCLavalin’s bribery of foreign officials both show the extent of damage unethical conduct can create within organizations. In all of these cases, knowledge of the ethical issue was widespread throughout the organization, tacitly supported, and ignored. Victims or individuals with the courage to speak out against the “norm of unethical behaviour,” in contrast, were isolated, silenced, and felt powerless.

We propose that integrating two theories—network theory and behavioural ethics theory—will be helpful in understanding and explaining this phenomenon. In particular, we suggest that networks of complicit and powerful individuals form around the perpetrator and enable on-going unethical conduct. The network supports the leader or other manager, and it is instrumental in making the behaviour part of the culture. We label these networks “networks of complicity.” In contrast, “networks of empowerment”—e.g., #MeToo, #PressForward, and “Time’s Up”—can form within or outside the focal organizations. Networks of empowerment draw attention to the perpetrator, sanction the conduct, and support the victims. These networks help people give voice to their values and enable positive change.

Based on in-depth interviews, we are examining both networks of complicity and networks of empowerment to understand the factors that support their formation and activation. Though the study is in the early phases of data collection, theoretical concepts, initial observations, and some tentative findings will be presented.

Click here for further registration and further details.

Melbourne Law School Events - Public Law Conference

Date: 11-13 July 2018
Venue: Melbourne Law School

From 11 - 13 July 2018, Melbourne Law School will hold the third biennial Public Law Conference, co-organised by the University of Melbourne and the University of Cambridge. The theme of the 2018 conference is ‘The Frontiers of Public Law’. The Public Law series is the pre-eminent regular forum for the discussion of public law matters in the common law world. The first two conferences in the series were held at Cambridge in 2014 and 2016. The 2018 conference will feature approximately 80 speakers, including leading judges, practitioners and scholars from across the common law world, and bring together over 300 delegates to discuss the most important issues in public law today. Keynote speakers include Lord Mance (UKSC), Hon Mr Kenneth Hayne (formerly HCA), Justice Debbie Mortimer (FCA), Sir Jack Beatson (English Court of Appeal), Justice Grant Huscroft (Ontario Court of Appeal), Justice Matthew Palmer (NZ High Court), Prof Cheryl Saunders (Melbourne), Prof David Feldman (Cambridge), Prof Anne Davies (Oxford), Prof Carol Harlow (LSE), Prof Mark Aronson (UNSW), Prof Anne Twomey (Sydney), Prof Benedict Kingsbury (NYU), and Prof Megan Davis (UNSW).

For further information and to register please visit our website: http://law.unimelb.edu.au/public-law-conference

Melbourne Law School Events - Obligations IX Conference

Date: 17 - 20 July 2018
Venue: Melbourne Law School

From 17 - 20 July 2018, Melbourne Law School will host the 9th biennial Obligations Conference in conjunction with the Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford. The biennial Obligations Conferences bring together scholars and practitioners from throughout the common law world to discuss current issues in contract law, the law of torts, equity, and unjust enrichment. The Obligations Conference is the leading international forum for discussion of these subject areas. Approximately 90 presentations will be made over the three days of the conference, including keynote presentations by Professor Andrew Burrows (Oxford), the Hon Justice James Edelman (High Court of Australia), the Hon Justice Michelle Gordon (High Court of Australia), Professor Birke Häcker (Oxford), the Hon Justice Mark Leeming (NSW Court of Appeal), Professor Matthew Harding (Melbourne), and Professor Liam Murphy (NYU).

For further information and to register please visit our website: http://law.unimelb.edu.au/obligations9

ASEAN Law Conference 2018 in Singapore

Date: 25 – 28 July 2018

The ASEAN Law Association is pleased to invite you to attend the 13th ASEAN Law Association General Assembly in Singapore, and The ASEAN Law Conference which will be held in conjunction with the 13th ALA General Assembly, from 25 – 28 July 2018.

The theme of The ASEAN Law Conference is "The Power of ONE: Unlocking Opportunities in ASEAN through Law". ALA’s vision for the Conference is to create and curate a world-class legal conference focused on thought-leadership issues pertaining to ASEAN, specifically regarding cross-border commercial and legal opportunities and challenges in the ASEAN Economic Community (“AEC”). In line with this vision, luminaries from ASEAN Member States and beyond have been invited to speak at the Conference on topics including the opportunities and challenges in the AEC, free trade agreements and bilateral investment agreements in ASEAN, competition law, disruptive technologies and financial integration. More than 500 legal professionals hailing from the ASEAN Member States and beyond are expected to attend the Conference.

Click here for more information and to register. 

The Commercial Law Association of Australia - 30th anniversary Journal of Contract Law conference

Date: 27 July, 2018
Venue: The Gallery Room, Mitchell Wing, NSW State Library

The Hon Justice Gleeson, Justice Andrew Phang, Associate Professor Goh Yihan, Assistant Professor Eliza Mik, Professor Elisabeth Peden, Professor Woody Hunter, Professor Greg Tolhurst, Associate Professor Katy Barnett, Associate Professor Wayne Courtney, Emeritus Professor John Carter

Click here for more information and to register. 

The International Law Association Biennial Conference Sydney

The International Law Association conference is a major international legal event.  This year it is to be held in Sydney from August 19 to August 24, 2018. 

The current conference schedule and registration links are at https://www.ila2018.org.au/

With over 200 speakers and numerous panel sessions on topics of private and public international law, maritime law, and international trade law, this is an event not to be missed. Confirmed speakers include the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and Lord Mance JSC of the United Kingdom Supreme Court. 

2018 International Criminal Law Congress

The International Criminal Law Congress is being held in the beautiful Byron Bay between 3 and 7 October 2018.  The conference is well regarded as a premier criminal law conference, boasting some very impressive speakers.  It is a fantastic opportunity to meet other criminal law solicitors and barristers from all over Australia and discuss current issues in criminal law.

Early bird tickets are now available by clicking here.

Social highlights include the welcome drinks at Elements on Byron, the Lawyers Long Lunch on Friday and Congress Dinner on Saturday not to be missed for their networking and conviviality. 

ABA Conference – ‘super special’ early bird registration for juniors

Date: 15-17 November 2018

Registration is now open for the Australian Bar Association Conference which is being held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney from 15-17 November 2018.  If you are under 7 years at the bar, they are offering a ‘super special junior early registration’ for the first 50 juniors that register. Total cost for two day registration is $1,250.  Early bird registrations close on 13 July 2018. There is also a discount available for the junior bar who register with in-house counsel.  Further details in the notice below.

Upcoming Family Law conferences

Havana Cuba

There will be a family law conference held in Havana Cuba from 7 to 12 April 2019. The conference will take place at the Grand Hotel Kempinski, it will include  papers from various barristers, solicitors and others who deal with family law. There will be time to see the city and partake in cultural activities”

Click here to download the conference flyer.  
 

Arctic Conference

 Following on from our successful conference in Antarctica in January 2017 there will be a further family Law conference in the Arctic in July 2020. There will be time on board the new ship, the Greg Mortimer, to hold a conference and also partake in the activities on and off the ship.”

Click here to download the conference flyer.  
 

Bali Conference

The 9th annual Family Law conference in Bali is to be held from 8th to 11th  June at the Oberoi Hotel. This conference will include a session on negotiation which may be of interest to those who do not practice in family law, and attendees at this conference will be from the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria.

Click here to download the conference flyer.  

Jam Boutique Conferences: Family Law Conference - 9 -12 June 2019

Join us in sunny Malta for a 3 day conference – registration fee includes:

  • Registration and Welcome evening
  • 3 night’s accommodation at the Palace Hotel, Sliema Malta (5 star)
  • Daily breakfast, morning tea & lunch
  • 8 professional development sessions
  • Australian and Maltese presenters

Flights not included (but lots of early bird specials about for 2019)

Registration fee

$2,000 conference attendee

$350 non-attendee (sharing room with attendee)

HOW TO REGISTER

Email one of us and we will issue you with tax invoice $500 (per conference attendee) non-refundable deposit is payable with your book and the final payment due 1 April 2019.   

Marlene Ebejer: 0411 772 064
marlene@ebejerlawyers.com.au

John Spender: 0409 147 646
john.spender@kennedylaw.com.au

Angela de Mel: 0411 611 171                        
aedemel@gmail.com

Careers & Opportunities
Mentors sought for Monash students

The Monash Cultural and Lingual Appreciation Network, a program aligned with the Monash Law School Ambassador Program, is seeking barristers to mentor law students, particularly those who may face cultural or linguistic barriers in entering the profession. The mentoring program will run from August 2018 to March 2019, with the primary aim of the program being to foster open and positive relationships between law students from culturally diverse backgrounds and legal professionals.

Mentoring can take a number of forms including court shadowing and meeting over coffee, at the discretion of mentors. We are seeking barristers of all cultural backgrounds and seniority as potential mentors for our program.

Click here to view the flyer for more information and if you are available to help out, please contact: clanmonash@gmail.com

Funding grants for women’s leadership development

Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) is administering a national initiative to support the development of female leaders across Australia’s legal sector.

The initiative is providing women working in the sector with grants to enable participation in a range of leadership development programs.

The leadership development programs are part-time and delivered nationally via WLA’s blended learning model. Scholarship funding is strictly limited and will be awarded based on a set of selection criteria being met.

Expressions of Interest
Find out more and register your interest by completing the Expression of Interest form here prior to September 7, 2018: www.wla.edu.au/legal

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence Course

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) in conjunction with Centre for Cultural Competence Australia have developed a cultural competency course titled “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence Course”. The course is mapped to three units of core competency and on completion participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Centre for Cultural Competence Australia. Participants will also receive a resource pack for their ongoing learning and reference, this will include course notes made during the course, personalised action plan, together with a number of fact sheets and additional resources.

This course has been developed for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and for people living and working anywhere within Australia. Whether you are delivering services specifically to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or someone working with the general public or you just want to know more about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people you live with, this course is for you.

It has been developed as a first step in a training pathway and as a pre-cursor to face-to-face, local and role specific cultural training. The course is designed to develop capabilities and build cultural competence whatever your level of knowledge in Aboriginal cultural education.

The cost is $192.50 per person.

We would encourage you to consider undertaking the course in order to develop your ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in and out of the justice system, for further details please access https://vals.ccca.com.au.

CIArb Asia Pacific Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration

Date: 28 July - 5 August 2018

Following the success in Singapore in 2016 and Hong Kong in 2017 this pre-eminent tertiary course offers a prestigious globally recognised qualification and is aimed at meeting the  increasing demands for

accredited arbitrators and arbitration practitioners to resolve cross border disputes in the Asia Pacific and beyond.

The course fee includes entry to not only the course but high-end networking/social events including the course dinner which will have The Hon Christian Porter, Attorney General of Australia as the guest speaker.

To register and gain further information, you can visit https://www.ciarb.net.au/training/diploma2018/about-the-course/  but the following snapshot may assist. 

Entry Requirements are as follows:

  • Practising lawyers and other professionals who are familiar with legal reasoning and concepts and are involved in arbitration (domestic or international) and who wish to increase their knowledge and understanding of international commercial arbitration.
  • Associates or Members of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators who have experience of domestic arbitration practice and wish to extend their knowledge to include international arbitration procedures.
  • 3 August 2018: Course  Dinner
     The Western Australia Club
    Level 11/12 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
    Guest Speaker:  The Hon Christian Porter, Attorney General of Australia
  • Official Accommodation Provider

Intercontinental City Centre Perth

LCA Business Law Section - Scholarships

Baxt Prize

The Baxt Prize honours the contribution of Professor Robert (‘Bob’) Baxt AO to business law in Australia. The 2018 Baxt Prize will be awarded for a research paper of outstanding quality dealing with any aspect of penalties in corporate and commercial regulation. The value of the Baxt Prize is $7500.00.

Click here to view the prize flyer.

Click here to download the application form. 

Scholarship entries close at 5pm, 30 August 2018 AEST.


Forsyth Pose Scholarship

The Forsyth/Pose Scholarship is offered by the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia (BLS) for papers on a topic in the field of taxation law. It was offered for the first time in 2013 to commemorate leading taxation law practitioners Neil Forsyth QC and Kevin Pose. Both were long-standing members of the BLS specialist Taxation Committee.

Click here to view the scholarship flyer.

Click here to download the application form. 

Scholarship entries close at 5pm, 30 August 2018 AEST.


Gaire Blunt Scholarship

The Gaire Blunt Scholarship is offered by the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia (BLS) for papers on a topic in the field of competition law. First awarded in 2008, it commemorates Gaire Blunt, a leading competition law practitioner and a partner at Allen Allen & Hemsley (now Allens) from 1970 to 2005.

Click here to view the scholarship flyer.

Click here to download the application form. 

Scholarship entries close at 5pm, 30 August 2018 AEST.


Santow Scholarship

The Santow Scholarship is offered by the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia (BLS) for papers on a topic in the field of corporations law. Offered for the first time in 2014, it commemorates the Hon Kim Santow AO, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and prior to that a leading corporations law practitioner at Freehills.

Click here to view the scholarship flyer.

Click here to download the application form. 

Scholarship entries close at 5pm, 30 August 2018 AEST.

Australian Academy of Law - Notice of Annual Essay Prize 2018

The Australian Academy of Law is pleased to announce the offering of its Annual Essay Prize for 2018.

The Prize is open to anyone, wherever resident, who is studying or has studied legal subjects at a tertiary level, or who is working or has worked in a law based occupation. There is no limit by reference to the age or seniority or experience of, or position held by, a person who may submit an entry. Accordingly, judicial officers, legal practitioners, legal academics and law students are all eligible to submit an essay.

The amount of the Prize is $10,000.

The essay topic for the Prize in 2018 is as follows:

“Rights and freedoms under the Australian Constitution: what are they and do they meet the needs of contemporary Australian society?”

The deadline for the submission of an essay is 31 August 2018 and persons intending to submit an essay must notify the Academy of that intention in writing via the Academy’s website to be received by 30 June 2018. Both of these time limits are strictly observed, as the Rules Governing the Annual Essay Prize make clear.

Those Rules can be accessed on the Academy’s website: www.academyoflaw.org.au

Refer to the Academy’s website also for further information about notification of intention to enter and about the actual submission of an entry.

LCIL - A five-day, high-level introduction to international investment law and arbitration

Date: Monday 17 - Friday 21 September 2018
Fees: £4,500, £3,500 (for registrations by 15 June 2018) 

Investment arbitration raises challenges distinct from those raised in other forms international dispute settlement, including complex questions of how to value assets and how to develop and position an arbitration practice in a highly competitive arbitration market. At the end of the five days, participants will be equipped with a unique background in the substantive, procedural and strategic aspects of bringing or defending an investment arbitration.

This five-day programme provides a high-level introduction to international investment law in the context of public international law and practice focusing on recent developments. It offers the opportunity to learn from Cambridge law and business school academics, as well as leading practitioners drawn from major law firms and barristers’ chambers. It is designed both for junior practitioners who are developing a practice in international investment law and for more senior lawyers who wish to re-orient themselves to investment arbitration. Participants will receive a certificate of participation on successful completion of the course.

Click here to download the course flyer. 

Deadline for the next issue:5pm, 5th July 2018