I’d like to welcome everyone back to work for the new decade. I’m very pleased to be able to start the new year with some good news, as a number of our colleagues were honoured in the Order of Australia awards. I’m sure that you will join me in congratulating:
Congratulations are also due to Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC and The Honourable Chief Justice Catherine Holmes AC.
New Year’s resolutions – the barristers’ edition
As we schedule our year, I’d like to encourage you to take time out to plan around two very important aspects of our professional and personal lives.
The first is your professional development program. We’ll be hosting some excellent CPDs this year, and I’m sure that there’ll be some great insights shared that will help you work smarter as well as keep up to date with the latest legal developments. The first tranche of CPDs hosted by the Bar is already scheduled:
Members can view all upcoming CPDs here.
The other thing we should all pay attention to is our personal health and wellbeing – finding time for our families and friends, for exercise and looking after our health is critical. This week, we asked your clerks to distribute a wallet card with the contact details of Converge International. Converge is one of two organisations with which we have special arrangements to provide crisis support and counselling services to members and their families. I encourage you to use these services if you need support through the year, as our mental and physical health and wellbeing is as important to us as the client work that we do. You can read more about the help the Bar provides to members in the members’ area of our website.
When the Bar Council had its strategy meeting in mid-December, education and health and wellbeing, as well as continued strengthening of our engagement with our broader client community, were key focuses. They feature significantly in our business plan for the coming year and beyond. Look out for further information about our work and initiatives in these important areas as the year unfolds.
Disaster Legal Help Victoria is a collaboration between Victoria Legal Aid, the Federation of Community Legal Centres, the Law Institute of Victoria, the Victorian Bar and Justice Connect. It was originally formed in response to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
The legal profession stands ready to help Victorian communities with their bushfire-related legal issues.
People can call the Disaster Legal Help Victoria phone line on 1800 113 432, available Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm for free legal information, advice, and referrals, or visit the website at www.disasterlegalhelp.org.au
Acting Executive Director of Civil Justice, Access and Equity at Victoria Legal Aid, Joel Townsend, said legal problems people commonly face after a bushfire include the rejection of insurance claims, disputes with landlords about termination of leases and outstanding rent, and debt and other financial problems stemming from the loss of casual employment and the cost of dealing with the aftermath of disaster.
'Recovering from a bushfire can be an incredibly emotional and stressful time, and on top of these legal problems can surface and escalate quickly,’ Mr Townsend said.
‘The impact of these fires has been devastating and we understand it will take some time for people to work through the aftermath, with many fires still active and bushfire season continuing. Disaster Legal Help will be available over the coming weeks and months to help people get back on their feet.’
‘We will co-ordinate with the State Government’s Bushfire Response and Recovery Taskforce to provide in-person assistance at recovery centres and community meetings where needed.’
Disaster Legal Help can assist with issues including:
• dealing with insurance claims
• replacing lost or destroyed documents, including wills and title documents
• tenancy and accommodation issues
• managing debt and financial hardship
‘If you’ve been affected by the Victorian fires and need help with a legal problem or are unsure about your next steps, please get in touch with Disaster Legal Help,’ Mr Townsend said.‘
Our lawyers can also refer you to specialist support services and pro bono services if we are not able to help in your situation.’
Joel Townsend, Acting Executive Director of Civil Justice, Access and Equity, Victoria Legal Aid is available to be interviewed as a spokesperson for Disaster Legal Help Victoria.
Media contact: Amanda Bennett, Communications Advisor, Victoria Legal Aid tel: (03) 9280 3949 or 0400 845 148, email: amanda.bennett@vla.vic.gov.au
Choral Evensong Sunday 2 February 2020 at 6pm (replaces the previously advertised Ecumenical Service on Monday 3 Feb)
Due to the State Memorial Service for the Hon John Cain which is scheduled for 11am on Monday 3 February, the Ecumenical Service for the Opening of the Legal Year will not be held that morning as planned.
Instead, prayers for members of the legal profession, readings and a sermon reflecting on the theme of justice will be included at Choral Evensong on Sunday 2 February 2020 at 6pm.
Members of the legal profession are invited to robe and take their seats in reserved front pews prior to the service.
Full details of all events are available on our website, and in the notices section below.
Ecumenical service replaced by Choral Evensong - please note the new date, time and details
Prayers for members of the legal profession, readings and a sermon reflecting on the theme of justice will be included at Choral Evensong on Sunday 2 February 2020 at 6pm. Members of the legal profession are invited to robe and take their seats in reserved front pews prior to the service.
6pm at St Paul’s Cathedral, Flinders St Melbourne. RSVPs to lestelle@vicbar.com.au. Judges and counsel robe and medals are worn.
International Commission of Jurists Community Opening
Waldron Hall, County Court of Victoria at 9 am followed by morning tea. RSVP to communications@icjvictoria.com.au. Robes are not worn.
Click here to view the flyer for more information.
Victoria Law Foundation Legal Laneway Breakfast
8am in Hardware Lane between Lt Bourke & Lonsdale Streets. Bookings essential. Robes are not worn.
Upcoming CPD events:
You must be a member of the Victorian Bar and logged into the VicBar website to view the following events.
The Essoign is kicking off the first Trivia Night at the Club on Tuesday the 18th of February.
Register your interest in the Club or at essoignclub@vicbar.com.au
Join fellow barristers and members of the VicBar community for an hour of relaxation and fun. Experience and obvious talent not required. All welcome.
Studio 11, always worth a look, is delighted to host its Summer 2020 exhibition featuring bold, expressive paintings by Shani Alexander as well as sensual photographic works by Renee Tsironis. Glass artists, Grant Donaldson and Eileen Gordon, offer works which are elegant and striking. The exhibition comprising over 50 works, is designed to provide you with an opportunity to ease into the new year, take a break and check out the body of work. Work sheets and artist biographies are found on Level 11, Owen Dixon Chambers East. All works are for sale, commission free, directly from the artists.
The Court recognises the devastating impact of the bushfires on communities and families across Australia and extends its sympathies to those affected.
Support is available to those who have been affected by the disaster and require assistance in relation to a current or prospective matter before the Court. The Court has appointed a Judicial Registrar to act as the Court's national bushfires relief coordinator.
Any requests for urgent assistance in particular by any necessary adjournment or variations to timetables or preparation for hearings should be made to the relevant duty judge, details of which can be found on the Court's website at: http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/contact/urgent-duty-matters
All non-urgent requests should be directed to Judicial Registrar Van Le, whose contact details are as follows:
Tel: 03 8600 3343
Email: Tuan.VanLe@fedcourt.gov.au
The Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court of Australia acknowledges the catastrophic impact caused by the recent bushfires and extends its sympathies to those affected.
To assist those impacted, the Courts have established a contact point for legal representatives and parties requiring support in relation to a current or prospective matter.
All enquiries for assistance such as necessary adjournments, variation to timetables or preparation for hearings should be directed to the chambers of the presiding Judge.
Alternatively, you may contact our liaison for bushfire related enquiries, Mr Michael Raine, whose details are as follows:
Michael Raine
Legal Assistant (Paralegal)
Phone: 08 8219 1641
Email: michael.raine@familycourt.gov.au
From 28 January, 2020 there will be a new process adopted in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia in Melbourne for case management of financial applications.
From that date, applications which seek financial orders only, will be listed before a Registrar on the First Court Date and managed by a Registrar until the conclusion of the dispute resolution process. The process is based on the model successfully implemented in the Newcastle Registry. Referral to a Judge on the First Court Date will only be permitted in circumstances of genuine urgency requiring judicial determination.
Following extensive consultation, the Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia and the Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia has issued a practice direction containing a statement of 10 core principles to guide the exercise of the family law jurisdiction in both courts.
This is the first step in harmonising the practices between the two courts in family law and developing a consistent approach to case management.
On 22 January 2020, the Victorian Legal Services Board (‘the Board’) resolved to appoint Mr Steven Weill as Manager of Mr Rainer Ellinghaus’s sole practitioner law practice, Law Offices of Ellinghaus & Lindner (‘the Law Practice’), pursuant to section 334 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria) (‘Uniform Law). Mr Weill’s appointment is for a period of six months, expiring on 22 July 2020, unless extended or terminated pursuant to section 340 of the Uniform Law.
The Board determined to appoint the Manager to the Law Practice because Mr Ellinghaus is currently unable to practise and the Board is satisfied that there is a need for an independent person to be appointed to take over professional and operational responsibility for the Law Practice.
Members of the Victorian Bar who have been briefed and/or undertaken work for the Law Practice may be impacted by this appointment. Please ensure that this information is made available to all Bar members and ask that they contact Mr Weill on (03) 9663 6422 or at sweill@ellinqhausweill.com.au if they have any outstanding issues in relation to the Law Practice.
You will be notified upon the termination of the management. If you wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me on 03 9679 8165 or via email on ctoussaint@lsbc.vic.gov.au.
In 2020 the County Court of Victoria will be expanding the County Koori Court to Geelong.
The County Koori Court currently sits in five locations, the Latrobe Valley, Melbourne, Mildura, Shepparton and Warrnambool. The Court hears pleas of guilty, appeals from the Magistrates' and Children's Courts, and contraventions of County Court orders. Expanding the County Koori Court to Geelong is an important next step in making this beneficial sentencing process available to all Aboriginal offenders.
It is proposed that the County Koori Court will sit at times aligned with County Court criminal circuits at Geelong. The County Koori Court will sit on the first two days of each criminal circuit if matters are scheduled.
The County Koori Court will operate in accordance with the Court's Practice Note: Operation and Management of the County Koori Court PNCR 1-2015.
Consultations with local practitioners, community groups and service providers will commence in February 2020.
Should you have any questions regarding this initiative please contact Terrie Stewart, County Court Koori Court Coordinator via email terrie.stewart@countycourt.vic.gov.au or on 8636 6083.
The Bar Association of Queensland (BAQ) and Australian Bar Association (ABA) invite you to register for our 2020 Conference, to be held 5-7 March this year.
The two-day Conference will address key issues for modern litigation practice and contemporary developments in relation to the law and regulation. The program features specialist sessions in several areas, including commercial, criminal, family, administrative and property law, as well as sessions focusing on ethics, practice management and advocacy.
Early Bird pricing will be available until 31 January 2020. A Conference designed for the whole of profession, hosting a range of local, interstate and international speakers, the 2020 Bar Association of Queensland and Australian Bar Association Conference promises to be an event not to be missed.
The 2020 Conference promises some surprises with events featuring two special guest speakers. Join fellow legal professionals on Thursday evening to hear renowned Australian artist and human rights campaigner, Ben Quilty, as he discusses his experiences as a war artist in Afghanistan and his reflections on society and the law. At the optional gala dinner on Friday listen to guest speaker Dr Munjed Al Muderis, Associate Professor and Orthopaedic Surgeon, a former refugee who is now an internationally acclaimed surgeon.
We invite you and your colleagues to register today to secure your place at this world-class Conference.
Switch On in the Law Library… Back to Basics
Thursday 6 February, 1.15pm-1.45pm
The first Switch On session for 2020 presents an overview on how to identify authoritative resources for case law and legislation. This session will: demonstrate how to identify court authorities when looking at parallel citations; provide an understanding of abbreviations; instruct on how to locate report series using abbreviations; and highlight authoritative websites for legislation. Learn what the best free resources are the resources that are available through the Library’s collection. This is a great session to kick off the new year and be reminded of some of the important legal research basics.
Bookings through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/switch-on-back-to-basics-tickets-87921017129
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Asian Australian Lawyers Association on Thursday 6 February at Shark Fin House.
This half day workshop will cover the practical steps in conducting an Arbitration as a solicitor for a party.
Covering all basic procedures, as well as:
With electronic take home material and the AIFLAM Arbitration Standards.
When:
Friday, 07 February 2020
- 2.00pm to 5.00pm Seminar
- 5.00pm to 7.00pm Networking
Where: RACV City Club 501 Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000.
Cost:
- Members : $330pp
- Non-Member: $370pp
- Networking only: $50pp
CPD Points: 3
Click Here to Register
Join leading academics, legal practitioners and activists for an evening of rethinking sexual consent law in Australia.
Panellists
The discussion will be facilitated by Associate Professor Jacqui Horan from Monash University. Following the panel, we invite you to enjoy a drinks and canapés reception.
Saxon Mullins will launch a research and advocacy initiative at the reception.
DATE Tuesday 11 February 2020
TIME 4.45pm – 7.30pm
VENUE Monash University Law Chambers, 555 Lonsdale St Melbourne VIC
COST Free
REGISTER http://bit.ly/2NV3N1i
26 February 2020 Melbourne
Join fellow stakeholders to deep dive into the inquiry of Australia’s corporate criminal responsibility regime prior to the completion of the ALRC’s Final Report.
The ALRC is holding a series of seminars in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to provide an update and to encourage additional feedback into the current inquiry. Presentations will focus on the Discussion Paper, released in November, which sought input from stakeholders about Commonwealth corporate criminal law.
The seminars will be led by a panel of judges, academics and practitioners focusing on the ALRC’s proposed model of corporate regulation, the attribution of criminal responsibility to corporations and individual liability for corporate fault, while also discussing other aspects of the proposals.
The interactive seminars present the opportunity to highlight key issues identified in submissions received, indicate the ALRC’s potential direction following those submissions and to seek further feedback on the position the ALRC may adopt in its Final Report.
Click Here to Register
The Law Mental Health Committee proudly presents the inaugural Law Mental Health Charity Ball on 28 February 2020.
The Law Mental Health Committee was formed to raise awareness of, and promote positive mental health practice, within the legal profession in Victoria. The Ball will be an annual event which brings together the judiciary and members of the legal profession for an enjoyable evening to raise funds for our chosen charity partner. This year, that charity partner is Beyond Blue.
Details
Date :28 February 2020
Location :Grand Ballroom – The Hotel Windsor 111 Spring Street Melbourne
Time: 6:30pm – 11:00pm
Keynote speaker: Judge Jennifer Coate
Tickets: $150pp or $1500 for a table of 10
Dress code: Formal / Cocktail
Contact: Michelle Lothian michelle@hllegal.com.au
The ticket price includes entrée, dinner, entertainment & drinks (beer, wine and soft drink).
Fundraising is included in the ticket price. However, please bring along an additional $10pp on the night for mystery fundraising.
Click Here to Register
We look forward to seeing you there!
The WBA is partnering with Slater & Gordon in organising Class Actions 2020. The conference will take place at the Arts Centre from noon on Wednesday 11 March 2020. The conference will bring together leading practitioners from plaintiff and defendant firms, litigation funders and regulators. Women barristers will be appearing as panellists and speakers at the event.
Conference registration
General registration for the conference has opened and tickets can be purchased through this link: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?embed&eid=576064 If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact David Barda at Slater & Gordon on 9949 8788 or David.Barda@slatergordon.com.au.
Proceeds of ticket sales are going to the St Kilda Legal Service Family Violence Outreach Program.
Booklet of women barristers
In addition, Slater & Gordon have offered to produce and circulate at the conference a booklet of women barristers who either already appear in this area or who would like to do more class actions work. If you would like to be included in this booklet, can you please send an email to Louise Martin louisejmartin@vicbar.com.au or Gayann Walker g.walker@vicbar.com.au. Once the WBA knows the numbers of barristers who would like to be included, you will be asked for further information (bios and photos etc).
Our scheduled programs for the next 6 months are listed below. Don’t miss out on our Early Bird discounts!
National Mediator Accreditation
16-18, 23-25 March 2020
27-29 July and 3-5 August 2020
9-11 March 2020
20-22 July 2020
Visit our website www.cynglerconsulting.com for more information and to register.
The NT Pro Bono Relief Scheme is a new pilot program which is being coordinated by the Law Council of Australia and the Law Society Northern Territory. It will offer a unique opportunity for lawyers around Australia to work in the Northern Territory assisting or relieving local lawyers in the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission and the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency for periods of between 1-2 weeks. Northern Territorian lawyers in these agencies do some of the most important legal work in Australia, representing some of our society’s most vulnerable people. The profession does an exceptional job in the face of extraordinary challenges, including a substantial and difficult caseload, significant under-resourcing and underfunding. You can help.
The Law Council of Australia and the Northern Territory Law Society are currently seeking expressions of interest for lawyers to work pro bono for 1-2 weeks assisting the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission and the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in relation to Court matters which are listed in Darwin and Alice Springs.
Successful applicants will have:
Barristers and solicitors undertaking this work will be unpaid. Solicitors and barristers with at least 5 years PQE are encouraged to apply. Experience in child protection, domestic family violence or criminal law is necessary.
To apply, please send the following to Jaclyn Symons at jaclyn.symons@vicbar.com.au
The Law Council has requested that the Bar ensure candidates do not have any disciplinary or character concerns or complaints. For this purpose, candidates are requested to complete a certificate of Good Standing Consent Form and return it to Jaclyn Symons with their application.
If you would like any further information, please contact jaclyn.symons@vicbar.com.au. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application to assist.
The Editors of the Melbourne University Law Review (‘Review’) are calling for submissions for the third issue of volume 44 of the Review; a symposium issue on the topic of ‘Institutions and Regulation in the Modern State’.
Submissions are now open and close on 31 August 2020.
Click here for more details of the types of submissions that are requested.
The Victorian Government is seeking applications for the position of Chief Municipal Inspector which plays a key role in ensuring an accountable local government sector in Victoria.
As head of the Local Government Inspectorate, the Chief Municipal Inspector investigates and prosecutes possible breaches of the Local Government Act 1989 (the Act), and provides high level expert advice on local government governance and conduct matters.
Key functions of the role include:
The successful candidate will possess professional qualifications in a relevant field and/or extensive senior management level experience within regulatory or integrity bodies, and have the capacity to conduct and manage complex investigations.
The successful candidate will be appointed full time for a term of up to five years.
To obtain a copy of the position description and apply visit www.careers.vic.gov.au and refer to position number 1443976 or CLICK HERE.
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 16 February 2020.
Enquiries should be made to Mr Toby Hemming (General Counsel, Department of Premier and Cabinet) on (03) 9651 2180.
The Heritage Council of Victoria has contacted the Victorian Bar to seek expressions of interest from members with skills or expertise in heritage law, planning or property law.
The Heritage Council of Victoria is an expert statutory and advisory body made up of ten (10) members and up to ten (10) alternate members from a range of specified, heritage-related disciplines.
The Heritage Council is seeking applications from individuals who wish to serve on the Council.
On this occasion applications are sought for the following appointments, the positions they consider most relevant for the Bar are in bold:
These appointments will be from 1 July 2020 for a period of three (3) years.
Full members are expected to attend meetings of the Heritage Council. Alternate members are expected to attend if the full member is unavailable. Full members and alternate members are both expected to participate in one or more of the Heritage Council’s Committees or Advisory Committees, including Registration and Review Hearings.
Applications can be made via Get on Board www.getonboard.vic.gov.au. If you need further information, please contact the Heritage Council Secretariat on (03) 9194 0868 or heritage.council@delwp.vic.gov.au.
Candidates will be required to complete standard application forms including a declaration of interests and will be required to provide a current CV. Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, young persons and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The deadline for applications is 5:00pm, Friday 14 February 2020.
Clinical Legal Practioner
Deakin Careers: http://careers.deakin.edu.au/cw/en/job/497799?lApplicationSubSourceID
A fantastic opportunity for an experienced Clinical Legal Practitioner to join our progressive Law Clinic at Deakin University.
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Law
Deakin Careers: http://careers.deakin.edu.au/cw/en/job/497794?lApplicationSubSourceID
Join a team of established colleagues within the Deakin Law School at our Melbourne Burwood campus