In Brief Issue #927

Advanced Trial Advocacy Intensive

The Advocacy Training Council will hold its renowned Advanced Trial Advocacy Intensive from Monday 20 January to Friday 24 January 2020 in Melbourne.

The philosophy underlying the intensive is that the skills of a barrister are best learned in an environment that is as close to the real experience as possible. This involves providing realistic briefs in sufficient time for counsel to prepare the matter for hearing, giving them the opportunity to perform in real court settings, then playing back and reviewing the performance. This gives barristers a rare opportunity to experiment with a number of styles of performance to see which is the most effective for that advocate on that occasion, together with individual and small group coaching by senior Australian judges, international and Australian senior practitioners and professional performance coaches accredited by the ABA. Click here for more details including the registration form.

The Australian Bar Association sponsors one Indigenous barrister to participate in the intensive. To nominate, send a brief outline of your work history to the Secretariat at xanthe.cushing@qldbar.asn.au before 30 September 2019.

Places are limited, so be sure to secure your spot as soon as possible.

The members of Essex Court Chambers and the Singapore Academy of Law are organizing the ECC - SAL International Mooting Competition.   Now in its ninth year, this contest is open to young barristers from Australia.  While entrants pit their advocacy skills against each other, this competition also offers a valuable platform to interact and foster working relationships with counterparts from other jurisdictions in the region.

The competition will take place on 4, 6 and 8 January 2020 at the Supreme Court of Singapore. The winning team will be offered an all-expenses paid, 2 week internship at Essex Court Chambers in London—a leading set of barristers’ chambers specialising in commercial and financial litigation, arbitration, public law and public international law. Awards will be given for the best orator and best memorandum submitted in the competition, as well as to the best competing team from outside Singapore.

Two team slots have been reserved for Victorian barristers’ participation. A copy of the publicity flyer is available here.  Members interested in being part of a Victorian Bar team should contact Liz Ingham on Elizabeth.Ingham@vicbar.com.au.

The Victorian Bar is pleased to announce its International Internship Pilot Program conducted in conjunction with the International Commission of Jurists.  This pilot program is designed to provide an in-depth appreciation of the Victorian litigation system and the rule of law by providing exposure to the Victorian Bar, the Federal Court, the County Court and barristers involved in the litigation process.

The successful applicant, Mr Collin Andrew from Malaysia, will be participating in the program from 29 August until 2 October.  Collin graduated from the Multimedia University in Selangor with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2010 and was admitted to practise as an Advocate & Solicitor in the High Court of Malaya in 2011. He completed a Masters of Criminal Justice degree at the University of Malaya in 2015. He is a barrister practicing in human rights and immigration law and hopes to extend his knowledge and practical experience in Melbourne so he can return to Malaysia a stronger advocate for human rights and the rule of law.

The Victorian Bar is hosting a welcome breakfast for Collin on 3 September from 7.45am in the Richard Griffith Library.  If you would like to attend, please register via the link below.  Cost is $20 per person and places are strictly limited.

Click to Register. 

VicBar's Student Engagement Committee is joining with Victoria University to pilot a shadowing program for CALD students who may not otherwise consider a career at the Bar. Would any member of counsel who has studied or worked at Victoria University and would like to contribute to this program please email students@vicbar.com.au for more information.

Immerse yourself in the luxury of tailored suits with the Oscar Hunt Tailors pop-up at the Peter O'Callaghan QC Gallery, Owen Dixon Chambers West from Tuesday, 3rd September to Thursday, 5th September.

At Oscar Hunt, the team have created an environment to make tailoring a business suit easy and enjoyable altogether – crafted from their collection of beautiful cloths including the iconic Dormeuil, Loro Piana, and Dugdale fabric houses. 

Oscar Hunt prides themselves on the fit of their garments, made uniquely according to your measurements with leading made-to-measure construction technology and in-house fittings – a balance between precision and impeccable craftsmanship. 

RSVP to the pop-up or book a fitting here and receive a complimentary second pair of trousers with your suit purchase.

Join some of Australia’s finest young operatic artists from Melba Opera Trust as they beckon you into the world of passion, drama and exquisite singing that is opera.

With much loved favourites from The Magic Flute, Rusalka, The Tales of Hoffmann and The Barber of Seville, as well as great characters from Shakespearean operas like Romeo and Juliet and Falstaff, you will experience the full gamut of emotion and beauty that the human voice can convey. You also will enjoy the lusciousness of French mélodie alongside the good-natured romance of Italian popular song. Truly a night to savour.

Book now at www.trybooking.com/BDSES

See the event flyer attached for details.

Don't miss out on these exclusive member deals for August with some great offers and gift ideas.

Click here for August travel deals.

Click here for August wine offers.

The Law Library of Victoria presents a series of lunchtime classical concerts designed to provide an opportunity to relax and reflect in the beautiful surrounds of the Supreme Court Library. August’s concert features a performance by the Victorian Bar Community Choir

All are welcome, entry is free, no need to register. Invite your friends and colleagues. Take a seat or simply wander the beautiful Library surrounds to enjoy this music.

For more information please email libraryevents@supcourt.vic.gov.au

Founded in Spring 2013, the Victorian Bar Community Choir is an initiative of the Victorian Bar Association's Health and Wellbeing Committee. 

Do you suffer from headaches, neck & back pain, stress or any other aches and pains? 

Until the end of September 2019 we are offering all VicBar Members a 15% discount on Osteopathy with Ashley Gudgeon. To book your appointment email admin@absolutehealthperformance.com.au, phone 03 8547 4830, or pay us a visit at 199 William St.

Lawyers and legal professionals are urged to participate in a survey to determine the extent of sexual harassment in the legal profession.

LIV President Stuart Webb said the survey, launched today by the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner, would provide valuable data on the extent of the problem in the profession.

“We need to know how widespread sexual harassment is and what type of harassment is taking place, so we can take action to prevent it reoccurring and call offenders to account,” Mr Webb said.

The Law Institute of Victoria represents approximately 19,000 legal professionals and law students.

Mr Webb said the LIV stood united with the Board and Commissioner in opposing any form of sexual harassment.

He said the International Bar Association’s landmark report released in May showed that one in three women and one in 14 men have been sexually harassed.

“This is simply unacceptable. We want to drill down into our local experience in Victoria to find out if this is a continuing phenomenon and act now to prevent future harassment,” he said.

Mr Webb said the LIV was developing a protocol for dealing with sexual harassment, through its sexual harassment working group. The LIV aims to provide best practice leadership for firms across Victoria with policies that are adaptable for all circumstances, and are meaningful in their operation.

“We are working with the profession to take action. This includes our law firm partners, the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commission and the Victorian Bar.

“We need a profession that is prepared to stand up and say enough is enough, sexual harassment is not part of the workplace that I belong to.

“Enough talk, it is time to act,” Mr Webb said.

The survey, which is open now, is available at https://lsbc.vic.gov.au/?page_id=6496

The High Court has recently issued a new practice direction, which applies to matters set down after 1 October 2019.

http://www.hcourt.gov.au/assets/registry/practice-directions/P-D-1-2019.pdf

27 August 2019: The Resolution Institute, in conjunction with King & Wood Mallesons

The Resolution Institute, in conjunction with King & Wood Mallesons, will be holding an evening seminar on Tuesday 27 August at King & Wood Mallesons’ offices, Level 50 Bourke Place, 600 Bourke Street. Presented by Albert Monichino QC and Monique Carroll, the session will analyse the High Court decision in Rinehart v Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd [2019] HCA 13. The presenters will discuss the implications of this decision for the interpretation of arbitration agreements in Australia and arbitration more broadly. The seminar will be moderated by the Honourable Justice Clyde Croft. For further information and to register, click here.

By mid-2021, all 31 courtrooms and three mediation rooms will be renewed into eCourt enabled spaces to support the increasingly digital nature of matters heard at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Practitioners are invited to see the first courtrooms that are now eCourt enabled. All are welcome to bring their devices to plug and play and experiment with connectivity and evidence presentation both wired and wirelessly. 

Upcoming sessions are scheduled for August and September. To book, visit https://ecourtsplugandplaysessions.eventbrite.com.au

For more information on the eCourts Renewal Project, visit https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/news/ecourts-renewal-project

5:15pm - 6:15pm
Thursday 29 August 2019

Presented by: Sir Nicholas Blake QC, Bonavero Institute of Human Rights and Professor Michelle Foster, The University of Melbourne

Chair: The Honourable Justice Jennifer Davies

Court 1, Level 8 , Federal Court of Australia
305 William St, Melbourne

Click here to view the flyer for more information.

Register here.

Thursday 5 September, 1.15pm-1.45pm

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

The Government is inviting suitably qualified members of the public to submit an expression of interest to be considered for appointment to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). I would be grateful if you could circulate this information to interested persons within your organisation.

Appointments are for one or more of the categories below:

• Member
• Senior Member
• Deputy President

Deputy Presidents may exercise a designated leadership role as the head of a division or divisions. Deputy Presidents or Senior Members may also be assigned as a Deputy Division Head. Suitably qualified individuals who are interested in a Division Head or Deputy Division Head role are invited to submit an expression of interest accordingly.

The minimum requirements for appointment to the AAT are outlined in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (AAT Act). The AAT Act provides that a person must:

• be enrolled as a legal practitioner of the High Court or the Supreme Court of a state or territory for at least five years, or
• in the opinion of the Governor-General, possess special knowledge or skills relevant to the position.

The AAT is an independent statutory body that reviews a broad range of administrative decisions made by Australian Government ministers, officers, and authorities. More information about the AAT can be found at www.aat.gov.au/about-the-aat. 

Further information about how to submit an expression of interest can be found on the Attorney-General Department’s website at www.ag.gov.au/About/Careers/Pages/default.aspx. Expressions of interest must be submitted by 8 September 2019. 

An advertisement has been placed on the APS Employment Gazette at www.apsjobs.gov.au and was also published in national, state and territory newspapers on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 August 2019. 

This expression of interest process will create a register of candidates from which recommendations for appointment may be drawn. The register will be valid for up to 12 months.

Please contact aat.appointments@ag.gov.au with any questions about the expression of interest process.

The Australian Academy of Law is pleased to announce the offering of its Annual Essay Prize for 2019.

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 2019 is as follows:

How do private law and public law interact in Australia?  What are, and what should be, the available remedies (public or private or both) where they interact?

The deadline for the submission of an essay is 31 August 2019. This time limit is 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 the actual submission of an entry as well as information on previous winners.