In Brief Issue #877

10Aug

Update on Law Council’s Equitable Briefing Policy

Earlier in the year, I asked members to demonstrate their commitment to equitable briefing by adopting the Law Council of Australia’s Equitable Briefing Policy. The policy, which has been endorsed by the Bar, aims to achieve a nationally consistent approach towards bringing about cultural and attitudinal change within the legal profession with respect to gender briefing practices.

In the months since, it has been extremely pleasing to see Victorian barristers signing up to the policy in high numbers. In fact, Victorian barristers account for nearly 60% of all practising counsel Australia-wide to have adopted the policy.

For members who have adopted the policy, I remind you to submit your annual report for the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 to the Law Council of Australia. Reports are due by 30 September. Data from adoptees of the policy will be extremely valuable in understanding the progress that has been made, how much further work remains to be done, and the causes of continuing inequality.

I urge all members, of all levels of seniority, who are yet to adopt the policy to do so now. Adopting the policy allows members to demonstrate their commitment to ensuring that all members of the Bar are briefed, or recommended to be briefed, on no other basis than merit. The policy is available for adoption by individual barristers by completing the form available on the Law Council of Australia’s website. Once the policy has been adopted, the Bar has developed a simple worksheet to facilitate the collection and reporting of data required by the policy.


Whores, Thieves and Rebels

Defamation (talking about it, rather than engaging in it) is always a feature of my week, so I was delighted to be invited by James McComish to chair a CPD seminar on the subject last night, fabulously titled “Whores, Thieves and Rebels: A Beginner’s Guide to the Early History of the Law of defamation” (I see what you did there, James).  It was advertised as examining issues including “the scrutiny of allegedly excessive awards of damages” (you’ll keep, James). The seminar was fascinating and entertaining. I learned a lot and got a CPD point to boot. If you missed the CPD, it should be available exclusively on our members’ site within two weeks.


Robert Richter QC & Philip Dunn QC portrait unveiling

If you were asked to define the term ‘Bar legend’, you’d be hard pressed to do better than point to the superb, newly commissioned portrait of Robert Richter QC and Philip Dunn QC, to be unveiled by the Honourable Michael Rozenes QC in the Peter O'Callaghan QC Gallery on Tuesday , 14 August 2018 at 5.15pm.

The portrait, by artist Martin Tighe, was commissioned by the Art and Collections Committee of the Victorian Bar. See you at the unveiling on Tuesday.


A busy week

Behind the scenes, this week I joined other members of the Bar and the broader legal profession who have been appointed by the Chief Justice to undertake a preliminary evaluation of applications for silk.  The Preliminary Evaluation Committee, chaired by The Honourable Stephen Charles AO QC, meets several times per week.  The Committee’s recommendations are one of the resources the Chief Justice draws upon when assessing applicants and appointing new silks.  

The Bar and the Law Institute of Victoria met yesterday morning to discuss current and emerging issues. I thank the Senior Vice-President, Wendy Harris QC, for chairing the meeting in my place.

Tonight I will attend the Queensland Bar Dinner in Brisbane ahead of a meeting of the board of the Australian Bar Association meetings on the weekend. 


Ceremonial farewell sittings for Their Honours Justices Tracey and North

The profession will bid farewell to Justice Richard Tracey AM RFD in a ceremonial sitting of the Federal Court of Australia on 17 August 2018 at 9.30am, and to Justice Anthony North on Friday 7 September 2018. 

Vicbar News & Events
Register now - HK 2018 ICLC - Full conference program confirmed

Register for the Hong Kong 2018 International Commercial Law Conference – see our website to register and for details on the program, accommodation and flights. 
 


Keynote speakers

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. 
 

Conference Program

This year's ICLC conference program includes the following sessions:

21 September, 2018
Session 1:  The Rise of the International Commercial Court
Session 2:  After the Apocalypse: Re-regulation of the Banking and Financial Services Industries
Session 3:  Arbitration on the One Belt, One Road: Enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in China
Session 4:  International Arbitration in a Tri-Polar World
22, September, 2018
Breakfast:  The Big Bite: A Tech-Breakfast
Session 5:  Words Without Borders: Defamation and the Internet
Session 6:  Modern Case-Management of Commercial Disputes
Session 7:  Is Privacy Dead? Use and Misuse of Sensitive Data
Session 8:  The Bottom Line: The Value to Clients and Tribunals of the Independent Bar

Click here to view the full conference program and details.


Gala Dinner

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.


HK2018 ICLC Sponsors

         

Platinum Sponsor


 
Gold Sponsors
  

Bronze Sponsor

 

Expressions of Interest - Supreme Court User Experience workshop

As part of the Supreme Court of Victoria’s Digital Strategy project, the Supreme Court are exploring and evaluating the court-user experience. When plaintiffs, defendants, practitioners, families, and a range of other visitors such as school groups and observers arrive at the court, what do they find? The Court  would like  Victorian Bar members  to help them answer this question. The ultimate goal of the project is to bring both physical and digital solutions together to improve court-user onsite information and experience.

To assist the Court in finding such solutions, they would appreciate the thoughts of representatives from The Bar to better understand the needs and routines of court-users.  

The Court has engaged experienced design company Downstream, to enhance the experience of court-users. Downstream will be facilitating the session in the week beginning 20 August 2018 an exact date and time to be confirmed.

The one hour session will delve into how those who come to the Supreme Court’s buildings by way of a mapping exercise as well as a deeper analysis of opportunities for potential attributes that could be brought into the space. 

Expressions of interest should be sent to Rachel Chrapot, General Manager, Members Services to Rachel.chrapot@vicbar.com.au by 5pm Friday 17 August.

Expressions of interest for Equality and Diversity Committee Working Groups

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

For the race, ethnicity and cultural diversity working group

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.

Victorian Bar Open Day 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

Vicbar Life
In Chambers with the MLO

"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/

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.

Lyrical Lunchtimes

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.

Art Exhibition - "Women at Work"

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.

RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Documentary

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. 

 

Member Benefits Australia - Spoil Dad this Father's Day

Spoil Dad this Father's Day with these exclusive gift ideas from Garmin. Orders close midnight 16 August. 

Member Benefits Australia - August exclusive member offers

Don't miss out on these Father's Day deals from Audi, Volvo, David Jones and more!

Practice & Profession News
Survey: Bullying and Harassment in the Legal Profession

According to 2017 research by the International Bar Association, Legal Policy & Research Unit (IBA LPRU), one in two female lawyers in commercial practice have been bullied in connection with their employment. Almost one in three have been sexually harassed, while a similar percentage of their male counterparts have been bullied in the workplace. These findings, drawn from a survey of 6,000 lawyers globally, coincide with growing global awareness about the prevalence of misconduct at work. In the legal, media, entertainment and political sectors, to name just a few, the past 12 months have seen a steady flow of high-profile allegations of bullying and harassment. While such conduct is never acceptable in the workplace, it is particularly repugnant in an industry – such as the legal profession – based on integrity and high ethical standards.

Following on from the LPRU’s Women in Commercial Legal Practice Report, which outlined these and other challenges facing female lawyers, the LPRU has committed to undertaking a new survey focused on the nature and prevalence of bullying and harassment in the global legal profession. The purpose of this research is to provide an empirical basis for developing informed recommendations and effectively engaging with firms and practitioners. The survey is now live – please complete it and distribute it widely through your networks. More data means a more complete picture of bullying and harassment in the legal profession, which in turn means better analysis and greater prospects of achieving change.

Please complete the survey: www.ibanet.org/harassment-survey.aspx

Victoria Law Foundation latest news

The latest news from the Victoria Law Foundation can be read here

Urgent: Request for legal volunteers for Fitzroy Legal Service

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  

Profession CPD & Events
Speeding Towards Dystopia: Social Policy in the United States and Australia - Professor Philip Alston

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.

 

Inner Melbourne Community Legal (formerly North Melbourne Legal Service) is turning 40!

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. 

Australian Bar Association Seminar - Taxes and Debt Recovery

Date: 23 August 2018, 5.00pm - 6.30pm, Sydney and national live stream
RSVP: By 16 August 2018 at rsvp@austbar.asn.au

The Federal Court of Australia, with the Tax Committee of the Australian Bar Association, invites you to a presentation and panel discussion on ATO Dept recovery. 

This panel addresses procedures utilised by the ATO for the protection and collection of debts raised by assessments. With a focus on the process and reasons for the ATO instigating recovery proceedings, consideration of recent cases assist in the understanding of what a taxpayer must demonstrate in order to have recovery proceedings stayed. The panel will discuss some of the interesting scenarios that have arisen. Discussion will also include the circumstances and bases for the ATO obtaining freezing orders as well as other mechanisms used to protect the revenue and options available to taxpayers.

Download the seminar flyer for more information and to register. 

Melbourne Law School Events - Intellectual Property and the Business of Innovation

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.  

La Trobe Law School Seminar - Venezuelan Supreme Court under Maduro’s Rule

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 National Indigenous Legal Conference 2018 - Early Bird Registrations close 10 August

Date: 25-26 September 2018
Venue: Wesfarmers Lecture Theatre (WFLT) UWA Business School (441) - Ground Floor Room G91.

The School of Indigenous Studies in partnership with UWA Law School, Notre Dame Law School and the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia, brings you the National Indigenous Legal Conference 2018.

 The School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Western Australia welcomes Indigenous lawyers, students, academics and teachers to attend and participate at the 13th National Indigenous Legal Conference held at the University of Western Australia on 25 to 26 September 2018.

Speakers include the Honourable Robert French AC, Professor Megan Davis, Professor Irene Watson, Adjunct Professor Dennis Eggington, Mr Jeremiah Riley, Mr David Saylor and the Master of Ceremonies is Mr Ashley Truscott.

The two-day conference - Sovereign Laws, Peoples and Voices - aims to bring a wide range of Indigenous lawyers, students, educators and policy makers from across the nation to discuss Indigenous rights claims of significant national and international prominence.

Click here for more information and to register. 

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. 

rise2018 - 2018 ABA & NSWBA National Conference

Date: 15-17 November 2018
Venue: ICC Sydney, 14 Darling Drive, Sydney NSW 2000
 

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
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 Introduction to International Arbitration

Date: 18 August 2018
Venue: Law Society House, 179 Ann Street, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Due to the success in Brisbane 2015Perth 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

Seeking barristers to inspire students at careers fair

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).

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.

EOI for judges - Stary Norton Halphen Criminal Law Moot

Date: 4-6 September 2018, 2PM-8PM (there are multiple rounds, time slots will be assigned based on your availability).
Venue: Victoria University City Queen Campus, 295 Queen St. 

Dictum Society is pleased to be presenting our first intervarsity moot, made possible by Stary Norton Halphen Criminal Lawyers. 

The Stary Norton Halphen Criminal Law Moot is aimed at students who have an interest in criminal law and would one day like to practice in that area (or you could just be an avid mooter - that's no problem!). This competition is comparable to the difficulty level of our annual Senior Moot competition. The moot problem is designed for oral rounds to be at an appellate level (Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Victoria).

If you're interested/available to judge, please email Naz on Nouzi.besavend@live.vu.edu.au There are a lot of teams competing and we would like for our competitors to meet as many industry professionals as possible to reward them for their hard work. 

Click here for competition details. 

ABA Appellate Advocacy Training

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. 

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. 

Australian Bar Association Advanced Trial Advocacy Intensive

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.

Deadline for the next issue:5pm, 16th August 2018