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In Brief Issue #879
24Aug
Law Library Launch
On Monday afternoon Justice Macaulay and I officially launched the new Victorian Bar branch of the Law Library of Victoria in the Richard Griffith Library on the first floor of Owen Dixon Chambers East.
In 2010, the then Chief Justice, the Hon Marilyn Warren AC QC, formed a steering committee to consider the future of the Supreme Court library which was, at the time, facing an existential threat. The committee was urged to “think big”—and it did. The outcome of the work of the steering committee was a recommendation for the creation of the Law Library of Victoria, a bold vision of a single library, serving the judiciary and the profession, across multiple sites, both real and virtual.
Earlier this year, the Bar signed a Service Agreement that, in effect, makes our Richard Griffith Library an integral part of the Law Library of Victoria. Using terminals that have been installed in the library, every member of the Victorian Bar now has access, 24/7 to the same online resources that are available to members of the judiciary. The library’s hard copy collection, including looseleafs, has grown and will continue to grow significantly. Borrowing rights from the library in the Supreme Court building have increased.
One exciting improvement as a result of the new agreement is that, for the first time, we have qualified librarians providing research support from the Richard Griffith Library at advertised times (currently Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1.30-3.30pm). Among other matters, librarians can assist members with research queries, to locate reports and books, and provide guidance on how to optimise the use of the new online resources.
The improvements do not stop there. Under the Service Agreement, we will continue to grow the library’s collection and make it more accessible to members in coming months and years.
Incorporating the Victorian Bar’s library into the Law Library of Victoria furthers the Bar Council’s objectives of providing services to members to support and enhance their practices, and fostering excellence and enhancing the performance of Victorian barristers.
I thank all those who brought about the Service Agreement, including the Bar’s Library Committee, the Bar’s CEO Sarah Fregon, General Manager of Member Services Rachel Chrapot, and Laurie Atkinson, Director of the Law Library of Victoria and Supreme Court Librarian.
Bar Council tenure review - survey to close Monday 27 August, 4pm
On Tuesday, Senior Vice-President Wendy Harris QC and I addressed a ‘Town Hall’ meeting to give members the opportunity to discuss issues relevant to the current members’ survey on whether, in the interests of good governance, there is a need to reform clause 42 of the Victorian Bar’s Constitution, by reason of which there is an annual election for members of Bar Council, with members serving one-year terms.
For those of you who have not yet done so, the Bar Council would be grateful if you would complete the short survey to let us know whether you favour retention of the status quo, or adoption of the model favoured by a majority of Bar Councillors or one of the other potential reforms. The survey will close at 4pm, Monday 27 August.
I will reveal the survey results in my message in In Brief next week. The responses to the discussion paper will inform the Bar Council’s consideration of whether to put a motion to amend clause 42 of the Constitution at the AGM of the Bar in October.
Farewell Wendy Pollock
Sad news! The much-loved Wendy Pollock, who has been our Readers’ Course Co-ordinator for ten years, is leaving us to become the Practice Manager of a new law firm in the CBD. Today is her final day.
I don’t ordinarily announce staff changes in In Brief, but this is a special case, as Wendy has assisted with the training of 853 readers (about 40% of the total current practising list), so her contribution has directly supported the nascent careers of many members of our Bar. Wendy has also assisted with the Bar’s international advocacy training in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
While we are very sad to see Wendy go, I am sure you will join with me in wishing her every success in taking on her new challenge.
Nina Massara, who currently coordinates the Bar’s CPD program, will take on a new position of Education Manager in a restructured Education team, with two new team members managing both the Readers’ Course and the CPD Program. Nina has significant experience in education planning and execution, having previously worked at Monash Law School.
A busy week
Behind the scenes this week, I also attended a meeting with the Executive of Bar Council on Monday and a full meeting of Bar Council yesterday evening.
On Wednesday we conducted the first interviews of candidates for the position of CEO of the Victorian Bar, to replace outgoing CEO Sarah Fregon, then on Wednesday afternoon the Preliminary Evaluation Committee appointed by the Chief Justice met to continue its work evaluating this year’s silk candidates.
Welcomes and Farewells
On Tuesday, I represented the Bar at the welcome for Magistrates Kieran Gilligan and Vicky Prapas. My speech welcoming Magistrate Gilligan can be read here.
Yesterday I represented the Bar at the welcome for Judge Scott Johns to the County Court of Victoria. My speech may be read here.
There will be a ceremonial welcome for Dr Martine Marich as a Judge of the County Court of Victoria on Thursday 30 August 2018 at 9:15 am and to David Andrew Sexton as a Judge of the County Court of Victoria on Wednesday 12 September 2018 at 9:15 am.
Details of ceremonial welcomes for new magistrates Michael McNamara, Jacinta Studham, Jade Bott, Russell Kelly and Michelle Mykytowycz will be advised when they become available.
The Profession will extend a Farewell to Justice North at a ceremonial sitting of the Full Court in Court 1 of the Federal Court of Australia on Level 8 of the Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 305 William Street, Melbourne on Friday 7 September 2018 at 9.30 am.
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 |
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| Gold Sponsors | |
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Bronze Sponsor  |
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Date: Thursday 6 September 2018, 5:15pm - 7pm
Venue: Peter O'Callaghan QC Gallery
Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery Ltd, The Victorian Bar, Barristers’ Chambers Limited and The Art and Collections Committee invite you to the opening of ‘The Changing Face of the Bar’; a black and white photography exhibition of barristers.
The exhibition highlights the changes within the bar over its 135 plus year history documenting our membership at three specific points in time namely: the 1930’s, the 1980’s and today. In particular, the exhibition includes over 700 portraits of our current bar community as captured by photographer Garth Oriander in 2018.
‘The Changing Face of the Bar’ showcases the diversity at the bar celebrating personalities, age, gender and cultural backgrounds. The exhibition will be opened by Bill Henson and will run from 6 September to 7 December 2018.
Victorian Bar News is a twice yearly magazine published by the Victorian Bar for its members. The Editors of Bar News are now calling for contributions for the December Issue. We are happy to receive draft content in written form, but general expressions of interest are also welcome.
Topics of particular interest include:
- Who we are - if you have climbed Everest (or a much smaller mountain), make great wine, cook good food, play a little known sport, have an obscure interest or hobby, are a polymath who has changed careers, or you are a Renaissance man or woman, we want to hear from you.
- Market disruption - The Bar is not immune from market forces. Stories about what is causing change within our practices, positive and negative, are important to us.
- Barristers who blog - If you blog for personal or professional reasons, let us know who you are, and the name of your blog or website.
Now is also the time to become involved in Bar News for members with a background in editing, journalism, photography, illustration and/or a passion for story-telling. To meet us and learn more, please join us for drinks on Thursday 30 August 2018 in the Richard Griffith Library (Level 1, ODE) between 5 pm and 6 pm.
In the meantime, please contact the Editors, Natalie Hickey, Justin Wheelahan and Annette Charak at vbneditors@vicbar.com.au or via their personal contact details.
This August, WBA is supporting Share the Dignity’s Dignity Drive. Share the Dignity provides sanitary products to homeless women and women in need who might otherwise not be able to afford them.
On any given night in Australia, 1 in 200 people are homeless. 44% are female. 27% are children under the age of 18. Family violence is the number one reason people present to homeless services. 55% of females cite this reason.
When you donate sanitary products to Share The Dignity, you’re donating much more than pads and tampons. You’re giving a woman experiencing homelessness or financial crisis the essentials, so she doesn’t need to choose between food and dignity.
If you would like to contribute, you can drop off pads and tampons to Kylie Weston-Scheuber (1521 Owen Dixon West) or Natalie Blok (1108 Castan Chambers) - or get them delivered via your clerk.
Or perhaps you’d like to provide a more permanent and sustainable solution to the problem? The company JuJu has partnered with Share the Dignity for moon cups and cloth pads. All purchases of these via (https://www.juju.com.au/share-the-dignity-juju-cup-donation/) will then be sent to Share the Dignity for distribution. They are currently $33 each moon cup.
You can also donate online at: https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/donate-now/
We are recruiting! We are looking for two Education Coordinators to support the Education Manager and join our team in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct. The two Education Coordinator roles involve coordinating our CPD programs, Readers’ Course, International Advocacy training courses, seminars and workshops. Applications are open until Sunday 26th August. For more information and to apply, visit http://ow.ly/WuXt30lqr8U.
An exciting opportunity exists for a 2-3 year Policy Lawyer to join the Victorian Bar. Located in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct, as the Policy Lawyer you will be involved in identifying, developing and coordinating law reform submissions and legal policy for the Bar. Reporting to the Senior In-House Counsel and working closely with the Bar Council, Bar Committees and Associations. Applications close on Sunday 26th August. For more information and to apply visit http://ow.ly/pYsx30lqqN3.
Date: Thursday 18 October, in Ballarat
Event details to be confirmed.
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.
Upcoming CPD events:
You must be a member of the Victorian Bar and logged into the VicBar website to view the following events.
Don’t miss out on these exquisite boutique wines on offer now!
These prices will not be repeated.
Download the order form or email antoniof@vicbar.com.au
Cheers from the Essoign team.
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.
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.
As a member of the Victorian Bar, save up to 15% on our extensive range of book and eBook titles.
Visit legal.thomsonreuters.com.au/vic-bar using the promo code VICBAR to take advantage of this exclusive offer.
Did you know? Thomson Reuters is the sole publisher of the Commonwealth Law Reports and the Federal Court Reports, and has the largest collection of authorised State Reports. Plus, find out more about the Victorian Bar Online Legal Research Package and the five key benefits it will bring to your practise.
At Oscar Hunt, our made-to-measure tailored suits are built upon a relationship with our clients, designed according to their needs and crafted from the finest fabrics in the world.
Based in Hardware Lane, Melbourne, we construct made-to-measure suits, shirts and overcoats individually tailored for men. We also supply carefully procured Italian, French, and English handmade accessories for the modern gentleman.
Pop in to see us at Vicbar Tuesday 28 - Thursday 30 August, between 9am and 5pm
Click here to view Oscar Hunt's special Vicbar offer.
Date: Saturday 8 September 2018, Melbourne
Our annual Sports Law Conference & Tri-State soccer tournament between the Victorian, New South Wales and Queensland Bars will be held in Melbourne this year. The games will be played at Fawkner Park this year. Open the link below for more details of the event.
New and past participants are encouraged to attend and new players particularly would be welcomed. CPD Points, Trophies and medals on offer.
Contact Anthony Klotz e: aklotz@vicbar.com.au t:9225 8633
Don't miss out on these Father's Day deals from Audi, Volvo, David Jones and more!
MBA Travel Solutions - your full service member travel agency!
Click here to view MBA's travel deals of the month.
Yesterday the Law Council of Australia released the Justice Project Final Report. This is the culmination of a national, comprehensive review into the state of access to justice in Australia for people experiencing significant disadvantage. It is one of the most extensive reviews of its type in 40 years. The Final Report contains 59 constructive recommendations which can be accessed here: https://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/justice-project/final-report.
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
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 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: Thursday 6 September 2018, 1.15pm-1.40pm
The Law Library of Victoria invites you to attend our Switch On... information sessions. These twenty-five minute sessions are suited to judicial officers, court staff, legal professionals, law students, and anyone with an interest in law.
This session, presented by the staff of the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, will inform you about the Victorian legislative process. Find out the facts behind the process, from setting the legislative program, drafting of Bills, and the passage of Bills from Parliament through to the commencement of legislation.
All are welcome and entry is free. To register please email libraryevents@supcourt.vic.gov.au
Date: Thursday, 13 September 2018, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Venue: Supreme Court of Victoria, Banco Court, 210 William Street
Guest speaker: The Honourable Justice Paul Coghlan
The Victorian Government commissioned Justice Paul Coghlan QC to advise how Victoria’s bail system should be reformed to best manage risk and to maximise community safety.
After reviewing relevant legislation and case law, meeting with key participants in the criminal justice system and receiving public submissions, Justice Coghlan delivered two reports that collectively contained 37 recommendations for reform.
In this lecture Justice Coghlan will outline the background to these reforms and describe the recommendations contained in his two Bail Review and Advices to the Victorian Government. He will also summarise the key changes that have been made to the Bail Act 1977, discuss the implications of these changes, both in theory and practice, and conclude by considering the impact of the reforms in the first few months of their operation.
This is a free public event, however, registration is essential. Register 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
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.
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 & Time: 10 October 2018, 12.30pm-1.30pm (light lunch available from 12.15pm)
Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus, Social Science Building, Level 2, room SS232 (Moot Court)
Speaker: Hannah Robert
Registration and further details: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/death-trespassed-on-my-body-and-law-too-stillbirth-grief-fetal-legal-personhood-and-the-external-tickets-49368512550
Date: 15-17 November 2018
Venue: ICC Sydney, 14 Darling Drive, Sydney NSW 2000
The ABA and NSWBA are delighted to release the Companion Special for the rise2018 national conference; a conference by the Bar for all professionals. Join us as we explore issues of public importance, delivered by experts from the across the legal profession, government and industry.
Register yourself and one or more colleagues in the same transaction and receive 50% off your registration fee.
This special offers exceptional value and is available until 31 August - unless sold out prior.
To take advantage of this special, click here.
For details of the outstanding program, stellar line-up of speakers and excellent professional networking and social opportunities, please click here.
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
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 Australian College of Optometry is a not-for-profit organisation based in Carlton providing eye health services to Victorians and carrying out vision related research.
Our current legal representative has vacated the regulated position and we are seeking a replacement for a 24 month term on the committee.
Click here to view the position description.
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.
Victoria University has asked for the Bar’s assistance in judging their annual Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot. The moot will be held at the VU campus in Queen Street, Melbourne. Expressions of interest should be sent to David Thomson (David.thomson@vu.edu.au) no later than 20 September 2018.
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: 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.
The Caen Memorial International human rights competition for lawyers is open to all lawyers registered with a bar, irrespective of their nationality, language or age, who are willing to inform the public of the profession’s commitment to defend the human rights. The competition is only open to the defence of individual cases. Lawyers agree to not compromise or prejudice the defended person. Human rights are binding on all and concern all defendants, whoever they may be, under the fundamental right of defence.
The closing date for submitting pleadings to the Memorial de Caen museum is Friday 9 November 2018.
The final of the competition will be held at the Memorial de Caen on 27 January 2019.
Date: 29 – 30 November
Venue: Cranlana House, Toorak
Cost: $3814
Is Justice Possible?
Members of the Victorian Bar are warmly invited to attend this exclusive symposium to explore the conceptions of justice underpinning our society.
Open to up to 20 leading minds in the Justice Sector, participants will engage in moderated discussion looking at the pragmatic, aspirational, and actual aims of Justice in the social fabric. The clarification of the role of justice in society helps inform our role as practitioners of the Law – and sharpens our ethical and moral judgement of the decisions we must make in our position each day.
Over the course of the two days, we will discuss questions such as: Do we believe the rule of law to be good because it is just or is it just because we think it is good? To what degree is our understanding of justice determined by the laws under which we live? Are there certain universal requirements that any just law must full? Is it possible to have a just society without a base of guaranteed moral rights? If not, what are those guaranteed moral rights?
Visit http://cranlana.org.au/symposia/symposia-more-information/#justice-symposia or contact us on 03 9827 2660 to find out more.
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, 30th August 2018