In Brief Issue #889

2Nov

Victorian Bar supports judiciary

Last Friday the Australian Financial Review published a series of articles criticising the productivity of Federal Court judges based on a crude arithmetical methodology that divided the length of judgments delivered by the number of days that had elapsed between the reservation of judgment and the delivery of reasons, in order to produce a number supposedly representing the number of words and paragraphs generated per judge per day. The methodology only needs to be stated to be seen to be meaningless to the point of absurdity.

The Victorian Bar responded the day the articles appeared with a media release rejecting the paper’s analysis as misconceived. Among other flaws, it did not take into account the nature, complexity or duration of trials; the number of parties, witnesses or documents tendered in evidence; matters that settled as a result of active case management without trial; and time spent by judges dealing with appellate matters.  I also submitted a letter to the editor which was published on Monday.

As I said in my letter to the editor, as barristers, we are at the coalface of the administration of justice every day and we know how hard working our judges are, often under enormous pressure. The AFR’s attack was unfair. The judiciary deserved better.

Letter to the editor (PDF version)
 

Paul Anastassiou QC appointed to the Federal Court

Congratulations to Paul Anastassiou QC, whose appointment as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia was announced this morning by the Commonwealth Attorney-General. There will be much to say about Paul, including his extraordinary contribution to the Victorian Bar, in due course, but for now I am sure you will all join me in wishing him every personal and professional success in his new role.
 

Tony Pagone QC elected as President of International Association of Judges

Congratulations to the Hon Tony Pagone QC, who has been elected the President of the International Association of Judges (IAJ)—the first Australian to hold the office.

In accepting the Presidency, at the Annual Meeting of the IAJ in Marrakesh, Tony said:

“We know and understand the work that judges do, and we know and understand the vital importance of that work to freedom, safety and an orderly society. We know also about the vulnerability under which judges work and live, and therefore of the need to foster and preserve judicial impartiality and the rule of law.”

The IAJ was founded in 1963 with the aim of safeguarding the independence of the judiciary in order to guarantee the rule of law, human rights and freedom.
 

Bar Council—vote early, vote once

Voting for the 2018/2019 Bar Council Election is underway and closes at 5 pm on Wednesday 14 November 2018

Voting is being conducted wholly online. The electronic voting portal is accessible from the Member homepage of the Victorian Bar website, using your member login and password, or via this link (you must be logged in). A ‘hot desk’ is available in the Bar office to complete online voting, if required. 

The results of the election will be declared at 1pm on 15 November 2018.
 

Farewell to CEO Sarah Fregon

Last night was both celebratory and melancholy, as we held a farewell dinner for our much admired CEO, Sarah Fregon, whose reign ends, after almost 4 years, at close of business today.

The dinner was attended by Sarah and her husband, current Bar Councillors, senior Bar Office staff, “Sarah’s Presidents”: Jim Peters QC, Paul Anastassiou QC, Jennifer Batrouney QC and yours truly, and the Hon Chief Judge and Deputy Chief Justice Alstergren.

Sarah leaves a remarkable legacy to which I could not do adequate justice here. Among other achievements, Sarah:

  • prepared for and attended 69 Bar Council meetings, working with four Presidents and Bar Councils, and 107 Bar Councillors and Honorary Secretaries (she deserves sainthood for that alone);
  • oversaw more than 1,000 events and CPDs, including four major conferences;
  • planned, scoped and delivered our website redevelopment;
  • was responsible for member communications, including 2 million+ emails and invitations, hundreds of notices in the lifts and over 200 advertisements and promotional posters;
  • oversaw the issue or renewal of 8,000 practising certificates, and the payment of 10,000 subscription fees;
  • implemented the Bar Council’s comprehensive governance review, including the development of a new strategic plan, a risk register, formal board papers for Bar Council and other financial review and governance improvements;
  • executed new initiatives including CPD-in-Session, the development and growth of our social media platform and a communications strategy, and planning processes for major initiatives;
  • secured more than $1m in additional Legal Services Board funding; and
  • delivered budget surpluses in each year from FY2015 to FY2018.

Our new CEO, Katherine Lorenz, takes over next week.

We’ll miss you Sarah! On behalf of the Bar, thank you for your contribution, and very best wishes for your new role as a Senior Partner at Deloitte Legal
 

A busy week

Although we’re in caretaker mode while voting is underway for the next Bar Council, work continues unabated.

On Monday, the Bar’s Vice-Presidents and I attended a board meeting of the Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery. During the week, I chaired a meeting with representatives of VGSO about government briefing practices, met with Maxwell P about a range of issues (including challenges faced by barristers with disabilities), and had my final regular catch-up with our outgoing CEO Sarah Fregon.

On Wednesday, I was in Sydney as the lone Victorian voice on a NSW-dominated Law Council panel discussion about defamation law reform. Last night, we officially launched the pro bono agreement between the County Court and the Victorian Bar.  You can sign up to be included in the scheme here.

Next week, as the 2017–18 Bar Council’s term draws to a close, I’ll substantially devote my message to a year-in-review report to all members on the Bar’s major activities over what has been a busy year.

Vicbar News & Events
Candidates for the 2018/2019 Bar Council

Nominations for the 2018/2019 Bar Council closed at 5pm on Monday 15 October 2018. Fifty-one members of the Bar nominated including 24 in Category A (Queen’s Counsel, Senior Counsel or junior counsel who are of not less than 15 years’ standing), 13 in Category B (junior counsel who are of not less than 6 years’ standing and not of 15 or more years’ standing and 14 in Category C (junior counsel who are of less than 6 years’ standing). 

A list of the candidates is available by clicking here (you must be logged in to the VicBar website to view the list of candidates).

The electronic voting portal will be accessible from the Member Homepage of our website. Voting will open on Monday 29 October 2018 at 9:00am. 

Call out to Barristers - Advocacy Instructor Training Workshop

The Victorian Bar will be holding a complimentary workshop for barristers who are interested in teaching advocacy skills.  Being an advocacy instructor is an important contribution to the profession and to the education program of the bar. The personal benefit of instructing is the improvement in ones’ own advocacy and the satisfaction of teaching others. The practical workshop is the first step in a Program of instructor training.

All barristers with a reasonable amount of experience in witness handling, in whatever jurisdiction, are encouraged to participate.

DATES AND TIMES
Introductory Session: Friday 9 November 2018, 5.00pm – 7.00pm
Workshop: Saturday 10 November 2018, 9.00am – 5.00pm

VENUE
Level 1, Owen Dixon Chambers East, 205 Williams Street

CPD POINTS
This workshop is a component of the Victorian Bar CPD Program and will carry 10 CPD points in Barrister Skills    

REGISTRATION
Please note that numbers in this workshop are limited, so register early to secure your place.

Click here to Register

https://vicbar.formstack.com/forms/workshop_adv_instructor

           

“The Changing Face of the Bar” - Purchase your prints

Just a reminder for all of those who participated in “The Changing Face of the Bar”, you can go online and view 

Some of the photographs taken and purchase digital or print options.

Please go to https://www.monarchypictures.com.au/site/register with the code that with the code that was emailed to you.

If you need your code to register please email Garth at info@monarchypictures.com.au or garth@garthoriander.com.

Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Working Group

The Cultural & Linguistic Working Group is working to inform members of the Bar about the breadth of diversity at the Bar.  To do that the group is calling for members to contribute short vignettes which capture their experience as a member of the Bar from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.  The Working Group wishes to hear how members have felt challenged or excluded by reason of their background so that we can all begin to contemplate what it means to belong to the Bar.  Others may also wish to contribute stories that highlight their acceptance or appreciation of their background at the Bar.

Set out below is a suggested format for submissions of your vignette:

Setting:  

Comment:  

How it made me feel:  

You can forward your story, anonymously if you wish to arushan@vicbar.com.au
 

Victorian Bar Member CPD Events
DWMA – VicBar Barrister Shadowing Program

The Diverse Women's Mentoring Association (DWMA) promotes diversity of women in professional services.  DWMA and the Victorian Bar are pleased to be able to provide the opportunity for DWMA law students to shadow barristers for 5 days or more over a 1 - 2 week period in November - December 2018.

​DWMA students who will participate in the program are university students studying undergraduate or postgraduate law at Victorian universities (including Monash, Melbourne, Deakin and Latrobe) with dual qualifications in arts, commerce, science and biomedicine. These students have demonstrated an interest in practising law, court procedure, advocacy and would benefit immensely from being guided and mentored by Victorian barristers. DWMA students are women who identify as being from a culturally diverse background, including an indigenous, migrant or refugee background.

The program commences on 19 November and runs until the close of the legal year, with a minimum of 5 days' availability required to participate.  You may have a student with you in court and/or completing research tasks in that time.  If you can provide 5 or more non-consecutive days of shadowing, please chose an approximate date range.  Once matched, you can organise mutually convenient days of attendance with your student.

If you would like to have a DWMA student shadow you, please see the terms & conditions here and complete the registration form here.

For more information about DWMA, go to the website: www.dwma.org.au

​For more information regarding the shadowing program, please contact, Rachel Chrapot, General Manager, Member Services rachel.chrapot@vicbar.com.au

Pleadings Workshop

Click here to register. Places are strictly limited.

All commercial barristers need to be able to produce clear, coherent and well-structured pleadings. This interactive workshop will assist participants to develop efficient strategies for planning, preparing and reviewing commercial pleadings, having regard to good drafting practice and procedural requirements, as well as forensic and strategic considerations. This workshop is ideally suited to junior barristers who wish to hone their drafting skills with a view to mastering the art of effective and elegant pleading. Participants will draft a statement of claim based on a case study prior to the workshop.
 

KEY DATES

Introductory Session:  Friday 16 November, 1.00-2.00pm  (Materials provided)

Practical Exercise Due:  Tuesday 4 December 2018

Workshop:  Saturday 15 December, 9.00am-1.00pm

Speaker(s): 

Michael Borsky QC, Claire Harris QC, Justin Graham, Emma Murphy

When: 

Friday, November 16, 2018 - 13:00 to Saturday, December 15, 2018 - 13:00

Where: 

Neil McPhee Room, Level 1 Owen Dixon Chambers East

205 William Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

6 CPD point(s):

Ethics & Professional Responsibility; Barristers Skills;

Price:

 $150.00

ABA Advocacy Intensive - apply by 19 November

The ABA are holding an advocacy intensive in Melbourne in January, see brochure attached. They are offering one fee-free place to an Indigenous barrister. The time frame is very short, application has to be made by 19 November, a decision will then be made by the ABA as to who will be offered the place. It is a single place only open to Indigenous barristers in all Australian jurisdictions.

Click here for the brochure and registration form. 

Vicbar Life
Formed on the Plains - Studio 11 Art Exhibition

Image: Fires in the Sky by Harley Manifold - Oil on Canvas 2018, 86 x 122 cm

 

Date: 8 October - 21 December 

The exhibition comprises a series of works by local artists, Dridan, McEachern and Manifold including sculpture. 

It’s a must see exhibition, particularly if you are someone connected to the Victorian plains, someone who enjoys art or someone who is just curious to see and experience a wonderful exhibition. Stay as long as you like. 

As always, the work is for sale, commission free, direct from the artists. Catalogue sheets and biographies are located on level 11 ODC East. The initiative is run on a voluntary basis. 

Click here to download the exhibition flyer. 

 

 

 

Twilight Songs under the Dome 2018

BottledSnail Productions is pleased to announce our final Library concert for the year - our special “Twilight Songs under the Dome” which will be held in the Law Library on Wednesday 14 November at 6pm (doors open 5.45pm).

We have an amazing line-up for this year’s concert, which is as follows: 

Isabel Hertaeg - internationally esteemed cabaret artist fresh from the Australian tour of "Death by Soprano"
 
Quintessence - acclaimed string quintet performing regularly at events, including opening for the Flinders Quartet as part of their 2017 concert series
 
John Tesarsch - cellist, barrister and author, winner of the 1987 Apex Australia/Robert Stolz music award
 
Jonathan Xian - pianist and winner of Series 4 of 3MBS’s 2017 live performance series, ‘The Talent’
 
Cleo Lee-McGowan - soprano, recipient of the Joseph Sambrook Opera Scholarship and winner of multiple awards (including Audience Prize) in the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition 2018.

Ticets for this special event are only $20 and all profits will go to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. For enquiries please contact Kylie.Weston-Scheuber@bottledsnail.com

Numbers are limited so book early! Tickets available at: https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/twilight-songs-2018 

The Essoign Members November Wine Offer & Public Holiday Dates

The Essoign will be closed:

Melbourne Cup Eve - Monday the 5th of November

Melbourne Cup Day - Tuesday the 6th of November

 

Trading as per usual from:

Wednesday 7th of November

 

 

The Essoign Members November Wine Offer.

Don’t miss out on these exquisite boutique wines on offer now!

These prices will not be repeated.

Download order form here or email antoniof@vicbar.com.au

Cheers from the Essoign team.

Irvine Wines - 15% off

Irvine Wines are offering VicBar members 15% off site-wide. Visit www.irvinewines.com.au and enter the code vicbarhk at checkout to redeem.

Click here to download the promo flyer. 

Member Benefits Australia - October exclusive member offers

Don't miss out on these exclusive member deals for October from Mercedes, David Jones, Volvo and more!

Practice & Profession News
High Court Amendment (Constitutional Writs and Other Matters) Rules 2018

These Rules were registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 17 October 2018 and commence on 1 November 2018. 

Click here to download the Amendment.

Click here to download the Explanatory Statement.

Report released on offender-paid compensation in Victoria

The Sentencing Advisory Council has released a report examining whether restitution and compensation orders should become sentencing orders, and other ways to improve offender-paid compensation in Victoria

The report follows a request for advice from the Attorney-General, arising from a recommendation of the Victorian Law Reform Commission.

After identifying insurmountable problems, including serious risks to equality before the law, the Council recommends that restitution and compensation orders should remain orders made in addition to an offender’s sentence, and does not recommend that they become sentencing orders.

The Council has instead recommended a strengthened ‘hybrid’ model for victims’ compensation that incorporates elements of both criminal and civil law.

The Council also recommends a range of reforms to improve the system for victims’ financial reparation, including:
• improving the consistency and timeliness of information provided to victims on their compensation options
• measures to ensure consistent use of powers to restrain offenders’ assets, so that the assets can be used to pay restitution or compensation
• waiving fees (where possible) to assist victims of crime to enforce their orders independently
• consideration of state enforcement of orders for restitution and compensation through civil mechanisms
• consideration of the establishment of a specialist legal service for victims of crime.

Restitution and Compensation Orders: Report is available from the following link:
https://www.sentencingcouncil.vic.gov.au/publications/restitution-and-compensation-orders-report

Victorian Law Foundation: 2018/2019 General Grants Announced

Victoria Law Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of this year's General Grants. The successful projects clearly help people identify and address their legal problems and aim to improve Victorians access to justice.

It was very difficult to choose from a raft of outstanding applications and we appreciate the effort in all of them.

Congratulations to the successful applicants! We wish them well in the delivery of their programs and look forward to hearing about the results.
 

Women's infringements and fines clinic

The Law and Advocacy Centre for Women – to run a clinic to help women navigate the requirements to have fines waived on grounds of special circumstances and family violence.
 

International student legal information project – Phase 2

Building on an existing project providing legal information to international students, Inner Melbourne Community Legal will produce a range of new resources to add to their suite.
 

Spotting civil legal issues: deadly videos and handbook

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service will produce a series of videos and a handbook to help Aboriginal people identify common civil legal issues, with information on how to contact the legal service for advice.


Building health justice for young people in the Central Highlands

Youthlaw is funded to extend their program which supports community workers in health services to better identify legal issues and refer young people to appropriate legal help.
 

Family Violence Project – Migrant and Refugee Communities

Refugee Legal will improve access to migration advice and legal assistance for women on visas experiencing family violence. Activities including the development of videos and community legal education aim to increase community awareness and referrals to the legal service.

 

Our grants are changing in 2019/20

A new structure for our grants program will be introduced in 2019/20 reflecting our focus on civil law and research. More information will be communicated soon.

Please contact Melanie Rygl, Grants Manager on (03) 9604 8100 or email if you have any questions.

Profession CPD & Events
rise2018 - 2018 ABA & NSWBA National Conference

The Australian Bar Association and the NSW Bar Association are looking forward to co-hosting the 2018 National Conference on 15 - 17 November in Sydney. 

The preeminent legal conference of 2018 – rise2018 relevant/resilient/respected is a prestigious two-day conference that boasts an impressive speaker line-up which will highlight and profile the excellence of the Australian legal profession.

For all the details and to register please visit nationalconference.austbar.asn.au.

Switch On… Social media use and the Legal Profession

Switch On… Social media use and the Legal Profession

Thursday 1 November, 1.15pm-1.45pm

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. 

The final Switch On for 2018 is social media use by those in the legal profession, with guest presenter Nevena Spirovska, Manager Public Affairs and Community Engagement for the County Court of Victoria. 

Nevena will provide an overview of how to manage a Twitter account as well as a guide to staying informed and aware of legal trends online. A must for anyone with an interest in the intersections of media, the judiciary and technology. 

All are welcome and entry is free. To register please email libraryevents@supcourt.vic.gov.au 

Technological Innovation in Corporate Financing: Regulatory Challenges for the Fintech Era

Date: Monday 12 November 2018
Venue: Monash Law Chambers, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

The Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies (CLARS) at Monash University Faculty of Law is hosting a symposium - Technological Innovation in Corporate Financing: Regulatory Challenges for the Fintech Era – at 9AM on Monday 12 November 2018 at Monash Law Chambers, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. 

Click here to download the event flyer. 

La Trobe Law School Seminar - From Dole Bludger to Mutual Obligation: Activation with an Antipodean Accent

Date: Wednesday 14 November 2018, 12noon-1pm
Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora campus, Social Sciences Building, Level 2, room SS232 (Moot Court)
Speaker: Anthony O'Donnell

Registration and further details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-dole-bludger-to-mutual-obligation-activation-with-a-antipodean-accent-tickets-50438514956 

Arbitration in Sport

Date: 14 November 2018
Venue: Madgwicks Lawyers, Level 6/140 William Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000

Join the Victorian arbitration and determinative Special Interest Group for this event, where a panel will discuss:

  • Issues about appointment of arbitrators, independence, natural justice, and access to the courts
  • Whether sports arbitration should fit within the Domestic and International Arbitration Acts
  • The proposed National Sports Tribunal, and overseas experience
  • Should each sport control its members destiny?
  • What really happens in practice?
  • A growth area of practice in sport.

This event will contribute 1 CPD point under the relevant Resolution Institute accreditation and grading schemes.

Click here for more information and registration.

End of Year Celebration

Date: Thursday 15 November 2018, 5:30-7:30pm
Venue: Ms Collins (The Ballroom), 425 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD 

The Victorian Committee invites you to join them for the ALA's End of Year Celebration. Together, let's reflect on what we have learned and celebrate all we have achieved.

With exclusive use of The Ballroom at Ms Collins, you will be greeted with the ALA special Appletini and toast to the new year. Enjoy a gourmet selection of canapés and drinks, on us!

Attendance is FREE for members but online registration is essential. Non-members are welcome to join the celebration for small fee of $45.

What better way to send off the year? Register now to avoid missing out as places are limited.

Click here for more information and registration. 

Ethics Lunch & Learn Seminar : The 3 Cs of ethics – confidentiality, conflict, and duty to the court

Date: Wednesday 21 November 2018, 12:30-1:30pm
Venue: College of Law Victoria, Level 10, 459 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

This one hour lunch and learn seminar will enhance your understanding of a lawyer’s professional conduct obligations and give practical tips on how to deal with the common ethical dilemmas faced by members of the legal profession.

Click here for more information and registration. 

La Trobe Law School/International Legal Studies Research Group Seminar

Topic: Deportation of Rohingya People & the International Criminal Court's Jurisdiction over Myanmar
Presenter: Professor Ridwanul Hoque
Date/Time: Monday 26 November 2018, 1-2pm
Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus, Social Sciences Building, Level 2, Room SS232 (Moot Court)

Registration and further information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/deportation-of-rohingya-people-the-iccs-jurisdiction-over-myanmar-tickets-51801008210

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

La Trobe Law School Seminar - The New Punitivism

Topic: The New Punitivism
Panel: The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG, Professor Patrick Keyzer, Professor Kris Gledhill
Date/Time: Tuesday 13 November 2018, 2-4pm
Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus, Social Science Building, Level 2, room SS232 (Moot Court)
Registration and further details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-new-punitivism-tickets-51693549799

Seminar: Family Law and Arbitration - CIArb Australia, the Family Court of Australia & the Federal Circuit Court of Australia

CIArb Australia:  Family Law and Arbitration

You are invited to attend a twilight seminar on Family Law and Arbitration, an initiative of the CIArb Australia, the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, which will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday, 13 November 2018.

Addressed by distinguished speakers, the topics of the seminar will focus on the process of arbitration and its particular application in the family law context.  This will be followed by a Q & A session. Drinks and canapés will be served at the conclusion of proceedings. Although the event is free of charge, registration is essential.

Introduction by:

  • The Hon Justice William Alstergren, Acting Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia and Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia

The panel of speakers is:

  • Judge Caroline Kirton, Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia
  • Martin Bartfeld QC, Barrister and Arbitrator, Victorian Bar

The session will be chaired by Dr Vicky Priskich, National Councillor CIArb Australia and Victorian Convenor.

Date:   Tuesday, 13 November 2018

Time:   5.15 pm – 6.15 pm (with networking drinks until 7.15pm) 

Venue: Federal Circuit Court of Australia
            Court 4A, Commonwealth Law Courts Building
            305 William Street
            Melbourne VIC 3000
            AUSTRALIA

RSVP:   By no later than Friday, 9 November 2018

For further details and how to register, please click here

Victorian Golfing Lawyers Society Event - 12 November

The Victorian Golfing Lawyers Society advises that registrations have opened for our next event at Yarra Yarra Golf Club on Monday, 12 November 2018. This will be a 4BBB Stableford format, with a shotgun start at 1pm. There will be sandwiches on arrival in the clubhouse. Cost: $120.00. If you would like to attend please contact the Honorary Secretary Caroline Paterson – carolinepaterson@vicbar.com.au. Players of all abilities are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

 

Careers & Opportunities
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.

6 Day November Course – Last Chance to Become a Nationally Accredited Mediator in 2018

Registrations are now open for our November 6 day National Mediator Accreditation program scheduled in Melbourne. The program gives participants the opportunity to learn Conflict Transformation skills and receive their mediator training assessment as required by the National Mediator Accreditation System and upon successful assessment apply to become a Nationally Accredited Mediator.

Click on the below link for more information and to register.

National Mediator Accreditation Course
November 19, 20, 21 & 26, 27, 28
Melbourne

Visit our website www.cynglerconsulting.com for more information or join our mailing list to keep informed on courses that are coming up.

2019 John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship

The Koowarta Scholarship was established in 1994, with the aim of promoting the study and practice of the law by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and, commemorates John Koowarta as a member of the Winychanam community and a traditional owner of the Archer River region on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. John Koowarta is widely regarded as being at the forefront of Aboriginal land rights in Australia during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He is today revered as one of the most important figures in the progression of Native Title rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Koowarta Scholarship is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in an Australian tertiary institution undertaking an approved course of study provided that may lead to admission as a legal practitioner in any Australian jurisdiction.

Click here to apply and view the Eligibility Criteria. 

Closing date for applications is 30 November 2018.

The Justice and Society Symposium

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.

Sentencing Advisory Council - We're Hiring

Legal Policy and Community Engagement

The Manager, Legal Policy and Community Engagement will lead a team of policy and engagement officers that will contribute to strategic and business planning for the Council and its Secretariat. They will be the Council's foremost expert on sentencing. Your responsibilities will include:
- contributing to strategic and business planning for the Council and Secretariat:
- developing and managing high profile and complex projects for the Council, including legal policy, research and stakeholder engagement projects
- managing consultations with Government and non-Government agencies on complex sentencing matters…

Applications close 14 November. For details, contact CEO Cynthia Marwood on 03 9908 8710 or

cynthia.marwood@sentencingcouncil.vic.gov.au]
https://jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSingle?in_organid=14188&in_jnCounter=223445197

Senior Legal Policy Officer

The Senior Legal Policy Officer will develop and manage legal policy and research projects, undertake research into complex sentencing issues and write briefings for Council members and the Attorney-General. You will consult as directed with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and provide support and assistance as required to the legal policy team on group projects…

Applications close 14 November. For details, contact CEO Cynthia Marwood on 03 9908 8710 or

cynthia.marwood@sentencingcouncil.vic.gov.au]
https://jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSingle?in_organid=14188&in_jnCounter=223445052

External Junior Counsel Panel 2018 - 2020

The CDPP invites junior counsel to apply to be appointed to the External Junior Counsel Panel for up to two years: 2018-2020.

The application process is an opportunity for new counsel to join an existing four year Panel that was established in 2016 and will be in place until 2020.

The Panel approach allows the CDPP to boost the number of junior counsel briefed, improve gender equity in our briefing practices and create a quick and easy application process for counsel seeking to be briefed. Further, by having a Panel which is reviewed every four years, the CDPP can ensure that the advocates it briefs have up-to-date and relevant experience to undertake prosecution work for the CDPP.

Please find attached factsheet here.

Applications will open on 12 November 2018 and close on 9 December 2018, and must be submitted via our website—www.cdpp.gov.au

Counsel currently on the Panel need not apply, however they may take this opportunity to update their details and work experience via our website —www.cdpp.gov.au

For further information, please email counselpanel@cdpp.gov.au.

Personal Assistant for the Honourable GT Pagone QC

Click here for role description.

Deadline for the next issue:5pm, 9th November 2018