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In Brief Issue #876
3Aug
Hong Kong Conference
If you haven’t yet booked, now is the time to commit to next month’s Hong Kong 2018 International Commercial Law Conference to be held by the Victorian Bar and the Commercial Bar Association.
The conference will be held on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 September 2018. Keynote speakers include the Secretary for Justice for Hong Kong, the Hon Teresa Cheng GBS SC; the Hon Justice Poon of the Hong Kong Court of Appeal; Justice Alstergren, Deputy Chief Justice of the Family Court and Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court; Justice Middleton of the Federal Court; Justice Riordan of the Supreme Court; and former Lord Justice of Appeal Sir Rupert Jackson PC, together with leading barristers from the Hong Kong, English and Victorian Bars.
The conference also offers a glittering social program which includes a gala dinner to be held at the world-renowned China Club and an end-of-conference drinks reception at the Four Seasons Hotel which will provide attendees with unique networking opportunities with lawyers from Australia and around the common law world. The conference business sessions will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel located in central Hong Kong and within easy reach of most of Hong Kong’s attractions.
The conference program has been developed to provide 10 CPD points over a wide range of commercial litigation and arbitration topics, including the rise of the International Commercial Courts; the regulation of the banking and financial services industries in the context of the Financial Services Royal Commission; privacy, defamation and the Internet; and arbitration in the Asia-Pacific Region, and will be presented by leading experts in the field.
The conference is very reasonably priced relative to other international conferences, and very affordable flights are available through our sponsor Cathay Pacific.
This conference will showcase and network our Bar in the growing Asia-Pacific region, and is an opportunity for members of all levels that should not be missed. More information about the conference, including conference registration, is available on the website – www.hk2018iclc.com.
If you have not yet registered, please do so today! I look forward to seeing you there.
Speaking of the Hong Kong conference, congratulations go to Daniel Kinsey, who last week won the Young CommBar speaking competition, narrowly defeating finalists Evelyn Tadros, Julie Zhou, Paul Reynolds and Amy Hando. Everyone who spoke impressed, showing again the depth of talent at the junior end of the Victorian Bar. Thanks, too, go to the judging panel, comprising Her Honour Judge Marks, His Honour Judge Wilson and David Gilbertson QC.
Review and renewal
If you have been away (as many have) or otherwise not read In Brief over the past few weeks (harder to imagine), could I commend to you the articles that have appeared over the past three Fridays on some of the signature projects currently being undertaken by the Bar Council, being the Pro Bono Review, the Direct Briefing and Barrister Connect reviews and the forthcoming discussion paper on the election of the Bar Council and tenure of Bar Councillors.
Two other recent developments have been the establishment of a Disability and Accessibility Working Group and a Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Diversity Working Group. There is more information in the notice in the Vicbar News and Events section below.
ABA Appellate Advocacy Workshop 2018 – Brisbane, 7-8 September 2018
The Australian Bar Association’s Appellate Advocacy Workshop is the pre-eminent forum providing training for appellate advocacy in Australia. I encourage members with seniority of at least 8 years at the Bar to consider honing their skills at the forthcoming workshop in Brisbane. Click here for more information.
Reconciliation Action Plan Update April - July 2018
The Reconciliation Working Group (RWG) has an ongoing role monitoring the implementation of the Bar’s RAP, a copy of which can be found here.
In the second quarter of this year:
- I and other Bar representatives have continued to give Acknowledgments of Country at judicial welcomes and farewells and other events on behalf of the Bar;
- the 2018 Indigenous Clerkship Program has been a great success thus far, with the three Clerks having finished their time at the Courts with Justices Kaye and Bromberg and undertaking or about to undertake their week of work experience at the Bar;
- on 25 June 2018 the Governor and Mr Howard QC hosted a function at Government House for Indigenous lawyers, clerks and law students. It was a great success, which I have written about already here;
- during National Reconciliation Week, on 28 May 2018 the Indigenous Justice Committee hosted a CPD entitled Indigenous Incarceration Rates in Australia. Speakers including the Hon Geoffrey Eames QC, Magistrate Rose Falla, Shahleena Musk from the Human Rights Law Centre and barristers Tim Goodwin, Campbell Thomson and Raymond Gibson.
- on 26 July 2018 members of the IJC, Chris Winneke QC and Neil Howard, along with clerk Kassie McLear attended the launch of the Shepparton County Koori Court. Chief Judge Kidd and Judge Grant presided over the launch with Koori Court Elders Aunty Pamela Pedersen and Uncle Joe Day also giving speeches.
I thank all those involved in the implementation of the Bar’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
Appointments & Welcomes
Congratulations to Victorian Bar members Kieran Gilligan, Stephen Lee and Nahrain Warda who were appointed as Magistrates by the Governor in Council this week, together with Vicky Prapas and Olivia Trumble. I wish them every success in this new stage of their careers. Details of their ceremonial welcomes will be published in lifts and on our website when they become available.
I thank Senior Vice-President Wendy Harris QC for representing the Bar at the welcome to Justice Steven Moore in the Supreme Court on 26 July. Click here for her speech.
This week I represented the Bar at the ceremonial welcomes for Justice Andrew Tinney and for Magistrate Mia Stylianou. My speeches can be read here and here.
Register for the Hong Kong 2018 International Commercial Law Conference – see our website to register and for details on the program, accommodation and flights.
The keynote speakers will be:
- The Honourable Teresa Cheng GBS SC JP, Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- 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
- 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 Honourable Justice Riordan, Principal Judge, Supreme Court of Victoria
Click here to view the full list of conference speakers.
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.
The Equality and Diversity Committee has a role in facilitating actions and programs to promote, educate and support members of the Victorian Bar. The Committee is considering forming two discrete working groups with a focus on disability and accessibility issues, and race, ethnicity and cultural diversity issues affecting members of the Victorian Bar and the legal profession generally.
If you're a person with experience or skills and/or you are interested in discussing either potential working group, please contact by phone or email:
For the disability and accessibility working group
- Carl Moller: cmoller@vicbar.com.au / 9225 8748
- Susan Aufgang: saufgang@vicbar.com.au / 9225 8445
For the race, ethnicity and cultural diversity working group
- Jenny Firkin: jenny_firkin@vicbar.com.au / 9225 7529
- Jacinta Forbes QC: jmforbes@vicbar.com.au / 9225 8905
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.
The Victorian Bar has been invited to nominate two representatives to the Victorian Legal Admissions Committee. The Committee's role is to consider suitability matters and determine whether applicants are fit and proper to be admitted for admission to the Supreme Court.
The Bar is calling for Expressions of Interest from members who may wish to participate as our representative on the Committee. The Bar’s protocol for nomination and appointment of Vic Bar members to external bodies can be viewed here. The Expression of Interest should identify any relevant areas of experience or expertise.
The appointments are for a term of 3 years from July 2018 (although the term for these two nominees would not commence until late August 2018).
Please direct any enquiries or Expressions of Interest to Liz Ingham at the Victorian Bar office: elizabeth.ingham@vicbar.com.au, ph 9225 6947.
The closing date for Expressions of Interest is Thursday 9 August 2018.
Date: Friday 17 August 2018, 10am – 1pm
Venue: Level 1, Owen Dixon Chambers East, 205 William St Melbourne
Are you considering a career as a barrister?
Come along to the Victorian Bar’s Inaugural Open Day – a free event for tertiary students.
Find out how you can apply to pursue this challenging and rewarding legal career.
Hear from the barristers about their experiences including high profile cases.
Enjoy a networking morning tea where you can speak to barristers one on one.
Register now at: www.vicbar.com.au/openday
Upcoming CPD events:
You must be a member of the Victorian Bar and logged into the VicBar website to view the following events.
- Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, and the Law: An Introduction to Lex Cryptographia
- Employment and Industrial List
- How to Conduct the Review of a Refugee Application: the AAT, Judicial Review and Appeals
- Whores, Thieves and Rebels: A Beginner's Guide to the Early History of the Law of Defamation
- Working well with your solicitors and instructors: All the things you’ve been wanting and waiting to ask
- Restitution and Account of Profits for Misleading Conduct Under the Australian Consumer Law
"In Chambers" with the Melbourne Lawyers' Orchestra is back for the 5th year running! Join us for an intimate evening of chamber music at the beautiful Melbourne Recital Centre, featuring music by Debussy, Poulenc, Tchaikovsky, Australian composer Matthew Hindson and more - this event is always a highlight of the MLO's calendar! Friday 10 August, 7pm at the Salon, Melbourne Recital Centre.
Tickets available now at https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2018/in-chambers-with-the-mlo/
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.
Date & Time: Thursday 16 August, 1.15pm-2.15pm
The Law Library of Victoria and BottledSnail Productions present a series of lunchtimes concerts designed to provide an opportunity to relax and reflect in the beautiful surrounds of the Supreme Court Library. All are welcome, entry is free, no need to register. Take a seat or simply wander the beautiful Library surrounds and enjoy the music.
BottledSnail Productions is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to give Melbourne lawyers a creative outlet. Cast, crew and committee members are almost exclusively drawn from Melbourne’s legal profession.
Studio 11, as it is now known, located on level 11 of Owen Dixon Chambers East, is hosting its current Art Exhibition “Women at Work” by seven local artists comprising a body of 82 works. Come meet the artists at opening drinks on Thursday 16 August 2018 from 4.30pm – 6.30pm. RSVP to kategorringesmith@gmail.com or lauracolla@vicbar.com.au or mayarozner@vicbar.com.au
Friends, family, instructors and colleagues are most welcome to view the exhibition which runs from 16 July 2018 – 21 September 2018.
Studio 11 has hosted art exhibitions from 2015 in order to allow barristers and friends to access and enjoy art. The exhibitions change on a quarterly basis and feature works be established or emerging artists. Works are for sale, directly via the artist. The program is run on a voluntary basis. Catalogue sheets are available on level 11. You are encouraged to come along, visit the space and simply enjoy the works at your leisure.
Join the Jewish Professional Women's Network for an Exclusive Screening of "RBG. Hero. Icon. Dissenter." A revelatory documentary that explores American Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's exceptional life, career, and commitment to creating a more equitable society for all.
Click here for more information and to register.
Don't miss out on these Father's Day deals from Audi, Volvo, David Jones and more!
The New South Wales Bar Association has released a discussion paper to encourage a national conversation about the benefits of preserving a specialist family court in Australia.
The NSW Bar Association has sent a copy of the discussion paper for our members’ consideration. The NSW Bar Association believes that a specialist family court should not be disassembled without informed consideration of alternative options Accordingly, the discussion paper suggests that consideration be given to an alternate proposal for structural reform of the Federal Courts to consolidate federal jurisdiction work relating to family law into a single, stand-alone, specialised Family Court where cases can be managed under one set of court rules and procedures, supported by one set of services. Under this proposal, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia would cease to operate as a separate federal court and its current jurisdiction, judges and resources would be divided and re-allocated into new lower level divisions within the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Court of Australia.
The NSW Bar Association welcomes your views on the discussion paper via the Association's Policy Lawyer, Ms Elizabeth Pearson, on 0292291717 or at epearson@nswbar. asn.au.
Click here to view the discussion paper.
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court of Victoria has issued Practice Direction 6 of 2018.
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court of Victoria has issued Practice Direction 7 of 2018.
Fitzroy Legal Service is one of Australia’s oldest community legal centres and relies on the volunteer assistance of numerous lawyers and law students to run its free legal advice night service.
The Fitzroy Legal Service Night Service provides advice to clients from mainly disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds from all over Melbourne from Monday to Friday.
We are the only community legal centre that assists clients five nights per week.
One of the greatest challenges for our service is obtaining enough lawyers to assist on a weekly or fortnightly basis at the night service.
Contact Julie Fletcher for more information:
Phone: (03) 9411 1304
Email: jfletcher@fitzroy-legal.org.au
Date: Tuesday 7 August 2018, 5:15 - 6:30pm
- Safety Defects, Burn Injuries and Product Recall Conundrums for Suppliers of Consumer Products
- Effective Legal and Insurance Risk Management
- Who Pays When Things Go Wrong and Why
The expert panel will be chaired by Alexis Taylor, Lawyer of Lander & Rogers, and feature:
- Frances Williams, Partner of Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Brisbane
- Michael Thompson QC of The Victorian Bar
- Daniel Tribuzio, Placement Services Director of Willis Towers Watson
What you will learn
- Practical tips for manufacturers/suppliers to limit their exposure, including compliance with Industry Codes of Practice and applicable standards
- Legal risk management to minimise liability exposure to products having a safety defect
- Underwriting and claims management initiatives to better protect an insured’s coverage against defective products which cause personal injury, loss and damage
- ‘Best practice’ adopted by insurance risk managers to reduce the potential liability risks for manufacturers/suppliers arising from defective products
Download the event flyer for more information and to register.
Date: 12 noon to 1 pm on Wednesday 8 August 2018
Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus, Social Sciences Building, Level 2, room SS 232 (Moot Court)
Speaker: Dr Julia Dehm
Further details and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/righting-inequality-human-right-responses-to-economic-inequality-in-the-united-nations-tickets-47411006597
Date & Time: Wednesday, 8 August, 5:30 pm -7:30 pm
Venue: Herbert Smith Freehills, Melbourne, Level 42, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Cost: $35 Members, $45 Guests, $10 for RI student members
In light of the 2005 Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements and the recent progress on a new draft Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments, and a certain backlash against arbitration in some countries, this session will address the possible resurgence of international litigation and the potential impact on international commercial arbitration.
Professor Richard Garnett, who has participated in the Hague negotiations since 2004 as expert adviser to the Australian Government will speak to the benefits of the 2005 and draft Conventions. Chad Catterwell, an international arbitration practitioner in Australasia will present the virtues and success of the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and international arbitration.
The question remains: will arbitration continue as the choice means of resolving disputes amongst international parties or will there be a renaissance of international litigation?
Click here for more information and to register.
Date: Thursday 9 August, 5.30pm for 6 pm – 7 pm (followed by refreshments)
Venue: Monash Law Chambers, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
A conversation between Julian McMahon SC and Richard Bourke, Director, Louisiana Capital Assistance Centre
Join us for a rare chance to see one of America’s leading experts being put on the stand to discuss his challenging work. Having worked at LCAC since 2002, Richard Bourke has been on the front line of anti-death penalty case work in the southern states of the USA. Richard will be asked to shed light on the key difficulties his clients face, and on differences between death penalty cases in the USA and Asia. He will reflect on the strategies and debates being played out in his work and nationally, to bring about abolition.
Click here to download the event flyer for more information and to register.
Date: Friday, 10 August 2018, 12 pm - 2 pm
Venue: Pavilion Room RACV City Club, Level 2, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Cost: $70 for members and non-members
RSVP: By no later than Friday, 3 August 2018
You are invited to attend the 2018 CIArb Australia Business Lunch featuring Guest Speaker, Alan Oxley. Proudly sponsored by Vic Bar, CommBar and the Asian Australian Lawyers Association, the lunch will be at the RACV Club, Melbourne, and will be attended by distinguished guests including The Hon Martin Pakula, Attorney General of Victoria, members of the judiciary, institutes and commercial enterprises.
About Alan Oxley
Alan Oxley was a career diplomat with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with postings at the United Nations in New York and Geneva. He served as Australia’s Ambassador to the GATT and Chairman of the GATT Contracting Parties, the predecessor to the World Trade Organization. One of the world’s leading experts on globalisation and international trade, Ambassador Oxley is Managing Director of ITS Global. He will speak on Opportunities for International Arbitration in the Asia Pacific.
Click here for more information and to register.
Date: Tuesday August 14, 2018, 6:00-7:00pm,
Venue: G08 Theatre, Ground Floor, Melbourne Law School
In this lecture, Alston reflects on what he sees as the increasingly dramatic parallels between the US and Australia with the threat posed by developments in policies deliberately designed to remove basic protections from the poorest, punish those who are not in employment, growing inequality and the endangerment of democracy.
Interested parties can register here. Please see the flyer attached.
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.
Date: Tuesday 28 August 2018, 6:00pm - 6:30pm pre-lecture refreshments, 6:30pm - 8:00pm public Lecture
Venue: Woodward Conference Centre, Level 10, Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton
Against the backdrop of over a quarter of a century of uninterrupted growth, and stock markets posting new multi-year highs, it is tempting to conclude that Australian business is in great shape. However, underlying these statistics is a disturbing downward trend in business investment in R&D, and continued lacklustre patenting activity by Australian firms. Meanwhile, on the international scene (and notably not just in the US), we are observing double digit growth rates in platform-based businesses built around breakthrough new technologies.
It is also significant that these firms have built up vast intellectual property estates which form a key part of their competitive advantage. In this talk Mr Ferris will explore some of the challenges that he believes Australian firms will need to overcome if they are to compete effectively in the decade to come, and the role that intellectual property can play in assisting them.
This event is presented in conjunction with the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia, and has been generously supported by AIPPI, IP Australia, IPSANZ and LESANZ
Register here
Click here to download the event flyer for more information. If you would like to be notified of any future events, please subscribe to our newsletter here.
Date: Wednesday 19 September 2018, 12noon - 1pm
Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus, Social Sciences Building, Level 2, room SS232 (Moot Court)
Presenter: Dr Raul Sanchez Urribarri
Registration and further details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-venezuelan-supreme-court-under-maduros-rule-tickets-47753066708
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.
Date: 15-17 November 2018
Venue: ICC Sydney, 14 Darling Drive, Sydney NSW 2000
The preeminent legal conference of 2018 – rise2018 relevant/resilient/respected is a prestigious two-day conference to be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney. The conference boasts an impressive speaker line-up that will highlight and profile the excellence of the Australian legal profession with a focus on national and international legal issues.
rise2018 relevant/resilient/respected, three concepts chosen as key to the legal profession dealing with disruption and change within contemporary society.
RELEVANT – the role of the profession in a changing legal, political, social environment and its commitment to law reform and professionalism.
RESILIENT – the ability of the profession to adapt to change and disruption.
RESPECTED – to maintain relevance and foster resilience while ensuring the continued respect for the profession and the judiciary that is essential for the rule of law, which maintains a tolerant, cohesive and inclusive society.
Click here for more information and to register.
Click here to download the conference program.
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.
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
Date: 7 - 8 September
Location: Brisbane
The skills of a barrister are best learnt in an environment that is as close to the real experience as possible. This workshop involves a realistic brief, detailed preparation including written submissions and performances in real court settings before appellate judges. The workshop will promote excellence in appellate advocacy through the development of relevant skills.
Groups are small and the coach-to-participant ratio is high. Performances are recorded in court before an appellate court judge, and then reviewed separately with senior members of the Australian Bar. Voice and movement coaching is also available from a professional coach.
There are only 24 positions available. Seniority of at least 8 years at the private Bar is a pre-requisite.
Click here for more information or to make a booking.
Date: 21 - 25 January 2019
Are you 5 years or more at the Bar, looking to refresh or to ‘ramp up’ your advocacy skills? Considering applying for silk? Looking to stimulate your advocacy?
If so, the Advanced Advocacy Course is for you. A 5 day live-in intensive course, where you run a trial, with each aspect of your conduct of the trial being analysed and reviewed.
Many members of the Bar have had the benefit of the training provided by the Course, sometimes as a precursor to talking silk, or generally to increase their trial skills.
The instructors comprise highly experienced instructors, including silks, judges and international trainers.
Click here to download the brochure for more details.
Contact Carolyn Sparke QC (sparkie@vicbar.com.au or x 8492) for more information.
- Melbourne CBD
- Full time, Ongoing
An opportunity exists for an experienced lawyer to provide significant legal, policy and administrative support to the Common Law Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
The Legal & Policy Officer works closely with the Principal Judge, Judicial Registrar and Deputy Registrars of the Division to undertake and coordinate research, policy advice and reports on areas of priority to the Court to ensure its smooth running and to identify and address emerging issues and trends in litigation. Further information concerning the role can be found in the accompanying Position Description or by contacting Kate Clark, Deputy Registrar - Common Law Division.
Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and a copy of the applicant's academic transcript.
For further information on this position and to submit your application, please visit careers.vic.gov.au by 6 August 2018
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 (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.
Date: 18 August 2018
Venue: Law Society House, 179 Ann Street, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Due to the success in Brisbane 2015, Perth 2016, and Melbourne 2017, registrations are now open for the 2018 Introduction to International Arbitration. In addition to sessions being conducted by prominent arbitration experts and practitioners, the event will be addressed by The Hon Justice Andrew Greenwood, Federal Court of Australia. The day-long offers a pathway to Associate member status of CIArb. CIArb accreditation carries a global qualification in the growing practice of international arbitration. For further details and how to register, please click here
Monash University will be holding its Beyond Commercial Careers Fair at its Clayton Campus at 6.30pm on 28 August 2018. One of the aims of the fair is to encourage students to consider career options beyond that of a commercial solicitor at a large firm. Many students are interested in pursuing a career at the Victorian Bar and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to chat with practising barristers. If you are available to assist, please contact Amanda Burnnard (aburnnard@vicbar.com.au) or Shaun Ginsbourg (sginsbourg@iinet.net.au).
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.
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.
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, 9th August 2018