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In Brief Issue #979
4Sep
Supporting current and future members of the Bar
Some phenomena are spoken of as “great equalisers” because their impact transcends wealth, age, race, gender and occupation. Early in the pandemic, some touted the coronavirus as a great equaliser, due to its indiscriminately infectious nature. But we know the health impact of the pandemic has not been “shared” equally. It has also yielded some very different economic outcomes across society.
This disparity is mirrored at the Bar – while some members have been able to adapt their practices to remote working, others, especially those who are dependent on the in-person operation of the courts, have been disproportionately affected. The closure of chambers, move to virtual hearings and interruption to trials by jury have resulted in significant income fluctuations, logistical upheavals and technological frustrations.
The Bar is committed to continuing to support members through the pandemic, including through advocacy for members’ interests, an outline of which is available on the COVID page on the members’ website here. We are doing our best to catch individuals who are at risk of falling through the cracks – and this week we have reiterated that barristers experiencing particular hardship should apply to the Barristers Benevolent Association for support.
Many members are concerned about sustaining chambers during the lockdown, and BCL is continuing to provide ongoing rent relief. BCL has received more than 1,400 applications for rent relief, and has so far provided more than $1.8 million in rental support. Information about how BCL’s support has been allocated is on its website here.
I appreciate that this week’s announcement by the County Court of Victoria about deferring jury trials has been a significant blow to the Criminal Bar. The prospect of a resumption of criminal trials had been sustaining the hopes of many. I know that the feeling of solidarity for members of the Criminal Bar amongst members in other practice areas is strong. Criminal trials are perhaps the one area where the adaptive power of technology falls short of providing an acceptable workaround, and we hope that some of the options we have discussed with the Attorney-General for resuming criminal trials in a COVID-safe way might bear fruit.
Over the past week, we have been meeting with senior representatives from the Department of Justice and Community Safety and the Department of Health and Human Services to discuss the pathway out of Stage 4. We have strongly advocated allowing members to attend chambers for preparations and hearings, to be able to access childcare, and to allow onsite IT and administrative support. We have advocated that the continued operation of the courts and the justice sector generally, and in particular criminal jury trials, is fundamental to maintaining law and order in society and our community’s safety. We are not just another service industry. Our role is fundamental to the proper functioning of the state. We believe that those in the legal sector should come together to be innovative and imaginative in exploring ways to permit the justice system to function as normally as possible, whilst observing all health restrictions. We will update members on the implications for them of the government’s roadmap as they become clearer.
Strengthening the college
I’d like to thank all members who responded to the EOI for the Bar’s mentoring pilot. We had an overwhelming response and are now finalising the mentoring pairs. I am excited about the potential of this pilot to build on, and expand our culture of mentoring at a time when it is absolutely critical.
It is now the second week of the Readers’ Course, and I continue to be impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of those preparing to join the Bar – particularly in these difficult times. We are also looking to 2021: the October Bar Entrance Exam, redesigned to be held entirely electronically, has received an unprecedented number of registrations, and we look forward to welcoming the next group of Readers in March. Registrations for the exam close 5:00pm, 25 September 2020 and more information is available here.
The importance of the rule of law – even in pandemics
Many will have seen the footage of the arrest of Ballarat woman, Zoe Buhler, accused of inciting a gathering to protest the government’s health directives. The importance of adherence to the law is especially acute in times such as the present. However, equally critical is the maintenance of public confidence that the exercise of powers of enforcement will be proportionate and consistent. A copy of our media release on the subject can be found here.
The legacy of Henry Jolson AOM QC
Finally, the Bar is proud to have sponsored the ADC-ICC Asia-Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition, awarding the Henry Jolson OAM QC Prize to the winning team from the National University of Singapore. A recording of the final is here. Henry was a highly respected member for almost 40 years and inducted as a Living Legend of the Bar in 2012. As a pioneer of mediation in Victoria, Henry’s influence on the Bar is evident today as the Bar is home to an outstanding community of those highly skilled in alternative dispute resolution.
Looking ahead to next year, lawyers thinking about joining the Bar can now register for the Victorian Bar Entrance Exam. The exam is scheduled for Sunday 25 October 2020 from 9:30am. As foreshadowed by the 2019 Exam Review, this exam will be delivered electronically using highly secure software provided by ExamSoft, replacing the handwritten exams of previous years.
In response to the requirements for social distancing, this exam will also be delivered remotely. Candidates will sit the exam in their own location using their own devices and will be subject to sophisticated remote identification and invigilation technology throughout the exam. Those interested should visit the Victorian Bar Entrance Examination webpage here for more information and to register. Registrations close 5:00pm on 25 September 2020.
The following are highlights of upcoming CPD and events for Victorian Bar members. You must be a member of the Victorian Bar and logged into the VicBar website to view these events.
- Insolvency seminar series 5: PPS issues in insolvency on Monday 7 September 2020, 5:15 – 6:15pm is part five in a series of introductory webinars on insolvency intended for junior barristers. In the fifth webinar, speakers will give their insights into issues that commonly arise under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 when companies enter into external administration. Click here to register.
- Members’ schemes of arrangement: Developments in 2019/2020 is on Tuesday 8 September 2020, 4:00 – 5:00pm. Members’ schemes of arrangement are used to effect company takeovers, mergers, demergers and corporate reconstructions. In this seminar, Greg Ahern will give a brief overview of what a members’ scheme of arrangement is and will then discuss some developments in 2019 and 2020 in this area of the law (including some COVID-19 related matters). Click here to register.
- Equality & anti-discrimination law update & practical tips for assisting LGBTIQ clients is on Wednesday 9 September 2020, 5:15 – 6:15pm on recent issues in equality and anti-discrimination law, including discussion of a recent case concerning protection of personal beliefs about marriage equality in the employment context. Click here to register.
- 'Could I just finish the question?’ – Views from the Bench, Bar and solicitors on ‘Female Judges, Interrupted’ is on Thursday 10 September 2020, 5:00 –6:00pm and will examine the findings and themes arising from Amelia Loughland’s much discussed empirical study, published in the Melbourne University Law Review in 2020, on interruption behaviour during oral argument in the High Court of Australia. Click here to register.
- Stamping out sexual harassment at the Bar on Tuesday 6 October 2020, 5:15 – 6:00pm will feature a discussion between Jenny Firkin QC, Chair of the Bar’s Equality and Diversity Committee, and Kenneth Hayne AC QC about sexual harassment at the Bar. During this discussion, the following questions will be addressed: What are the cultural behaviours that we need to change? What can people who experience sexual harassment do? What should those who witness or hear of it do? And, if it’s not clear to perpetrators that their advances are unwelcome, what alarm bells should trigger them to stop and think? Click here to register.
For more upcoming CPD events, please visit our listings here.
We understand that members are worried about the risks of COVID-19. Please see the new section on our member website designed to answer some questions you may have, point you to government information websites, and let you know what VicBar and BCL are doing to assist members.
Subscriptions
Due to the significant impact that current government restrictions have on members, the Victorian Bar and BCL have offered financial relief through member subscription discounts and rent relief. For more information about this, visit the subheading entitled 'What are the Victorian Bar and BCL doing'.
Advocacy on behalf of the Bar
This week, the CEO attended the government's industry re-start roadmap meeting attended by representatives from the legal and professional services industries and hosted by senior members of the Department of Justice and Community Safety and the Department of Health and Human Services. At that meeting, the CEO strongly advocated that the limited activity in the courts, and specifically the halt of jury trials, was having a significant impact on access to, and the administration of, justice in the State. The DJCS will be working closely with the Bar in the immediate future to facilitate the opening of the courts as soon as practicable given the ongoing health emergency.
For more information about ongoing advocacy efforts, visit the subheading entitled 'Victorian Bar advocacy on behalf of members'.
Court updates
The Department of Justice & Community Safety has worked with Victoria Police to develop a trial of remote Bail Justice hearings. More information about this trial is here.
Updates from the County Court of Victoria include:
- Unfortunately, the Court announced yesterday that it has decided to vacate Melbourne criminal jury trials listed for Term 4 (due to commence 5 October) as part of changes to operations due to COVID-19, with a limited exception. The Court's full statement is available to read here.
- The Court's new online tool for civil subpoena submissions, objections and inspections, eCase, was released this week. The eCase: electronic subpoenas practice note and eCase electronic subpoenas: notice to addressees can be accessed here.
- The Court has updated the appearances procedures at regional locations. The updated version of County Court Circuits: Appearances at Regional County Court Locations is available here.
- The Court has issued an alert advising of the new protocols in place concerning the resumption of the County Koori Court, which is available here.
On 28 August, the Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court of Australia issued a joint media release welcoming the introduction last week of the Family Law Amendment (Risk Screening Protections) Bill 2020, which is an important framework to facilitate the Courts' new family violence and risk screening initiative, the Lighthouse Project. Further details about the Lighthouse Project are available here. Further details about the Bill are available from Parliament House's website here.
Government updates and support
Government support for barristers – Wilson Pateras
Wilson Pateras, accountants, has provided the Bar with some consolidated information on government support for barristers here.
The Supreme Court of Victoria changed the process in relation to admissions and the probate in response to coronavirus:
- More information about the admissions process is available to read here.
- More information about the changes to probate is available here.
Business Support Fund
One-off grants will be made available to support eligible businesses impacted by the restrictions under the Business Support Fund – Expansion program. More information is available to read here.
To access each email update relating to COVID-19 that VicBar has sent members, please click here.
The Bar President has been invited to nominate a barrister to join a Review Advisory Committee (RAC) for the review of sexual harassment in Victorian courts.
The review has been jointly initiated by the Attorney-General and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of the Courts Council, to identify ways to build a culture that calls out sexual harassment, and to give workers and others across the justice system the confidence to speak up without fear of reprisal.
The Review will consider and report on measures to prevent sexual harassment, improve reporting and support for those who experience sexual harassment, raise awareness, and ensure accountability in workplaces.
It is anticipated that the first meeting of the RAC will be held week commencing 21 September 2020.
Further information on the RAC can be viewed here.
The Bar’s protocol for nomination and appointment of Vic Bar members to external bodies can be viewed here. You are encouraged to provide a detailed expression of interest, which should identify any relevant areas of experience or expertise. This will assist the Executive of Bar Council to select the best candidate for the position.
Please direct any enquiries or your expressions of interest to Denise Bennett at the Victorian Bar office at denise.bennett@vicbar.com.au. A response has been sought by 11 September, hence the tight deadline for expressions of interest of 4:00pm, Thursday 10 September 2020.
In the current circumstances, many of the usual ways in which barristers interact with each other have been greatly restricted or even made impossible. One of the effects of this is that work opportunities have not been able to flow to new barristers in the same way as previously.
To that end, the New Barristers’ Committee (NBC) is instituting a system for the advertising of work opportunities by barristers to new barristers. These advertisements will be placed on the New Barristers’ Slack channel - a virtual bulletin board accessible to new barristers. The referring barrister will be contacted directly by the new barrister(s) responding to the advertisement.
If you would like to advertise a work opportunity to new barristers, please contact Tim Glass of the NBC at tim.glass@vicbar.com.au and provide the following information:
- A summary of the work to be done
- The area of law the work relates to
- The expected scope and time requirements of the work to be done
- The expected fee structure for the work, and
- Your contact details.
The NBC will not make any recommendations to the referring barrister as to appropriate counsel for the work opportunity, nor will the NBC make any recommendation to new barristers as to appropriate work opportunities, aside from advertising the work opportunity on the NBC Slack Channel.
Yatren facilitated a breathing session with some members of VicBar on the evening of Thursday 21 August 2020. Feedback from the participants was very positive, with many feeling much more relaxed after the session!
Yoga is a great way of taking care of your physical, mental and emotional health, especially during these challenging times. As an introductory offer, members of the Victorian Bar will receive an additional 2-hour private session when they book their first month of a personalised online yoga program with Yatren.
Yatren has 22 years’ experience as a yoga instructor. For six years, Yatren has offered private, live and interactive yoga sessions online. Yatren tailors each yoga program to suit your experience level, ability and well-being goals. Yatren will teach you to integrate specific techniques for a positive impact in your life, and exercise your body and mind in a more thoughtful and structured way than is possible in a studio class or by working out at a gym. Classes are available early morning each weekday, so clients are prepped for success.
For more details, visit www.tyryogaonline.com.au or feel free to call Yatren on 0408 572 938.
A 45 minute movement session combining mat Pilates and clinical exercise. An opportunity for the Barristers and friends of Svenson Barristers to break up your work day with movement in the comfort and safety of your own home. Register here. The session is hosted by Charissa Fermelis, Physiotherapist and Pilates Practitioner, and founder/director of Grounded Movement.
Sally Flynn QC, Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Committee, has had many encouraging responses about floors and practice groups that have organised get-togethers over Zoom and in private Facebook groups, as part of the initiative to remain socially connected and check on the emotional well-being of our colleagues when we are not working from chambers.
The Committee is seeking expressions of interest from barristers interested in setting up a WhatsApp group to connect those barristers who are carers. The group is for barristers who care for elderly or disabled parents or relatives and will allow members to offer each other support by sharing information or resources for various issues, including finding alternative living arrangements or home assistance. Please contact Sally Flynn by email if you’re interested.
Other groups you may wish to join:
- Probate Law Group (contact Eleanor Coates ecoates@vicbar.com.au)
- Bar Mums WhatsApp group (contact Emily Porter eporter@vicbar.com.au)
- Pets of the Victorian Bar (contact Ashleigh Morris a.morris@vicbar.com.au)
- Health & Wellbeing Committee’s private LinkedIn group for barristers - click here or search “VicBar Community” in LinkedIn to join.
- LGBTQ+ People at the Bar (contact John Heard john.heard@vicbar.com.au or Beth Warnock beth.warnock@vicbar.com.au)
- Victorian Bar Nationally Accredited Mediators private LinkedIn group for barristers who are nationally accredited mediators – click here to join.
Darren Ferrari is organising a Zwift group for members of VicBar. Zwift blends the fun of video games with the intensity of serious training, helping cyclists get faster. Level up in the virtual worlds of Zwift with a group that motivates each other. To join or find out more, contact Darren Ferrari on 0412 124 076 or by email at clerks@svenson.com.au.
We want to make sure no barrister is left behind, so please contact Sally at sallyflynn@vicbar.com.au to let her know what your group is doing, or if you need a hand starting a new group or finding one to join.
To ensure the safety and security of all chambers during this challenging time, BCL Property and Technology Services will update their service delivery as of Friday 17 April 2020 until further notice. For information about this update, please see here or contact the BCL Service Desk on 9225 8888.
Cyber Security Awareness: What you need to do to keep your practice safe
In these current uncertain times, the increased use of video conferencing, reliance on email, the use of home internet services, SMS’s from our governments, and the sudden shift into paperless practices all make it easier to fall victim to a costly scam.
In recent months we are aware of successful scams within the community, leading to significant financial and operations impact. There are some simple things you can do to help protect your practice:
- Using BCL corporate-grade technology and network services (Internet & email) provides you with a managed enterprise environment with corporate-grade security platforms and sophisticated network practices.
- SMS verification for passwords is now available. To enhance the security of barrister passwords, we have introduced SMS verification for password resets. Login to http://id.vicbar.com.au, select the “Profile” tab and click “Edit” to enter your mobile number. All password reset requests will now require this information.
- Always check the “From” address in emails, particularly those from external parties. A difference in the Senders name compared to the From address is a clear indication of a scam email.
- Look for suspicious characteristics in an email such as unprofessional emails with typos and spelling mistakes, or requests for ‘click here’, pay now, requests for funds, bank account details or an unnecessary sense of urgency.
- Always use an up to date and valid anti-virus product and backup your data as outlined in the Victorian Bar Technology Minimum Standards.
- If you are ever unsure, DO NOT open it and contact the BCL Service Desk.
- Improve your cyber security awareness by taking a short 5-minute quiz provided by the Australian Government here.
If you want an easy, secure way to receive and work on your briefs electronically, then you should watch the recent Victorian Bar CPD session co-hosted with Martin Bartfeld QC, explaining the benefits of the eBrief Ready product. You can view this here.
Over 700 members from the Victorian Bar and 3500 solicitors are now using TA Law’s eBrief Ready platform to both receive and work on their briefs.
Stephen Foley MD of TA Law said that there is no charge for using the platform during these difficult times.The Victorian Bar is also introducing a new member benefit to ensure affordable access for all its members in the future.
If you would like to know more about eBrief Ready, you can book a consultation with the Managing Director, Stephen Foley here.
Dear Essoign members and patrons,
It is with great regret that due to the impact of Stage 4 Restrictions the Club has temporarily closed its doors.
Thank you for your continued support during the ever-changing circumstances in 2020. Understandably the current Stage 4 Lockdown has reflected your absence from the Club. We will miss seeing you along with your story sharing, laughs and giving support to all fellow members.
The Essoign will be back once restrictions are lifted and we will keep you informed as we get closer to that date.
Please stay safe and stay healthy. We look forward to seeing you all again very soon.
As always, thank you.
The Essoign Club
The Australian ADR Awards recognise individual and group excellence in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution. ADR expertise has developed over many decades to become a cornerstone of practice at the Bar, with strong recognition by clients of the benefits of ADR know-how.
Now in its 5th year, the prestige of the Australian ADR Awards creates an opportunity to shine a light on this significant expertise at the Bar. With 24 Awards categories, including ADR List of the Year, what better way to end the year than to celebrate the exceptional work being undertaken every day at Vic Bar.
Nominations are open until Monday, 21 September 2020. For more information and to submit a nomination, please click here.
Priority Property Pool 500
The Federal Circuit Court of Australia has introduced a new process to manage family law property disputes for cases where the value of the net property pool is under $500,000. The new process, known as the Priority Property Pool 500 (PPP500), started on 1 March 2020 and will operate for two years as a pilot program in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Parramatta. For more information, please visit the Court’s website.
The Lighthouse Project
The Lighthouse Project is a ground-breaking and innovative initiative in the way in which the Courts will screen for risk and focus on public health and improved outcomes for families involved in the family law system. A pilot for this project will commence in Adelaide, Brisbane and Parramatta and the Courts are looking to secure additional government funding to expand nationally. The project will deliver numerous benefits to litigants and practitioners, including:
- better risk screening and early identification of at-risk clients,
- tailored court processes and support to those litigants experiencing family violence,
- easier access to justice – a single entry point to the Court,
- improved outcomes for litigants with more information available to the Court from the first stages,
- improved case management decisions leading to a reduction in the number of adjournments and court events required, and
- opportunities to settle early through the use of alternative dispute resolution for suitable matters.
Information sessions about the project for lawyers and unrepresented litigants will commence shortly – dates and times to be advised. For more information, please visit the Court’s website.
The Law Library of Victoria improves access to justice by providing legal information to all eligible Victorian legal practitioners online. Barristers also have access to a range of legal resources on their own computers and devices, via the Digital Bar Library on the Law Library website. You must be a registered user to access this page which provides:
- Guides to improve your research skills (finding information, using research tools and on specific topics)
- Subscriber-only publications and databases, and
- Current and authorised Victorian legislation sets used in Victorian jurisdictions.
All Barristers are eligible to register for access. If you have not already registered, the Library will be in touch with you shortly by email.
The Law Library of Victoria Bulletin is produced fortnightly and summarises the latest legislation and cases for the Victorian jurisdiction, as well as High Court of Australia cases. The bulletin also includes the latest new books added to the Library collection and a selected index of articles from journals received in the Library. To subscribe visit here.
If you are on twitter, follow the library on @lawlibraryvic to be alerted to recent decisions of the Court of Appeal.
The Rule of Court appoints the Full Court sittings to be held in Canberra throughout the year and the days on which special leave applications will be heard. Sittings of the Court will continue to be held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart and Perth as required. Additional sittings may also be held on other days as required, for example in matters requiring expedition. These sittings will be appointed by the Chief Justice pursuant to Rule 6.04.2 of the High Court Rules 2004. The Rule of Court appointing the High Court sittings for 2021 is available here.
How does the coronavirus impact upon commercial transactions and how are Australian courts grappling with the issues?
A new addition to the College’s coronavirus library, ‘Coronavirus and Contracts’ considers common contract issues likely to arise as a result of the pandemic, and analyses the early jurisprudence on these matters. Click here to access ‘Coronavirus and Contracts’.
On 26 August 2020, the Victorian Legal Services Board (‘the Board’) resolved to appoint Mr Nicholas Curran as Manager of the incorporated legal practice of Thexton Lawyers Pty Ltd (‘the Law Practice’), pursuant to section 334 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (‘Uniform Law’). The appointment is for a period of approximately six months and expires on 24 February 2021, unless the Board determines to extend the appointment or the appointment otherwise ceases in accordance with section 340 of the Uniform Law.
The Board determined to appoint a Manager because 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 recently been briefed and/or undertaken work for the Law Practice may be impacted by this appointment. Please contact Mr Curran on 03 8080 3557 or at ncurran@tglaw.com.au if you have any concerns about payment of fees.
You will be notified upon the termination of the management. If you wish to discuss this matter further with the Board, please contact Reshma Pickering on (03) 9679 8048 or via email at rpickering@lsbc.vic.gov.au.
DWF is pleased to invite you to its upcoming webinar on Wednesday 16 September 2020 at 4:00 – 5:00pm, which will address where the current "Gender Gap" and bridging the gender divide for females in senior leadership positions, with a particular focus on the Law Council of Australia's Equitable Briefing Policy aimed at promoting briefing of female barristers in Australia.
The event will be hosted by Principal Lawyer Kim O'Reilly and Senior Associate Vivien Botsikas and will feature the following panel of barristers:
- Jenny Firkin QC (Melbourne)
- Rebecca Treston QC (Brisbane)
- Brenda Tronson (Sydney)
Hosts and guest panellists will discuss a number of topics including:
- statistics in relation to the "Gender Gap"
- issues and obstacles currently faced by female barristers
- initiatives to address these, with a focus on the Equitable Briefing Policy, and
- the impact of the above and further recommendations.
You will have the opportunity to ask your own questions for this webinar by submitting them in advance to Elizabeth Kelly by 5:00pm AEST on Monday, 14 September 2020. You can also submit questions during the live webinar.
Click here to register.
Join LAWASIA for a series of webinars every Tuesday and Thursday, commencing on 10 September until 8 October 2020 (five consecutive weeks, nine webinars in total).
Instead of the LAWASIA physical Annual Conference, the LAWASIA 2020 Conference Online webinar series will provide an opportunity for our members to enhance their legal knowledge; collaborate and build networks with like-minded lawyers and legal organisations throughout the region; and come together to help LAWASIA fulfil its important mission of promoting the rule of law, access to justice and respect for human rights throughout Asia and the Pacific region.
LAWASIA has developed an excellent program, focusing on a range of legal issues and key areas of law, including sessions focusing on intellectual property, ADR, employment law, anti-trust and competition law, and corporate securities and investment. Panels of experts and eminent speakers from across the region have been recruited and will undoubtedly entertain, educate and enrich all those able to attend.
The LAWASIA 2020 Conference online webinar series will be free of charge. We encourage you to circulate this offering to your friends and colleagues, and we look forward to welcoming you all to the 2020 LAWASIA Conference Online!
For more information about the conference program and how to register, please click here.
Inaugural webinar
LAWASIA has the great pleasure to invite you to join the inaugural webinar of this webinar series: Opening Ceremony & Bar Leaders' LAWASIA Roundtable on Thursday 10 September 2020. This first webinar, which features a distinguished lineup of 18 bar leaders from across the LAWASIA region, will serve as an important online forum for sharing ideas, reinforcing shared professional values, and advancing the status of the legal profession in the Asia Pacific region. Click here to register.
All are welcome to join Svenson Barristers’ Zoom webinar at 4.30pm Wednesday 9 September 2020 with Andrew Kirkham QC in his discussion of the Chamberlain case, 40 years after a dingo took baby Azaria at Uluru.
This 'CPD Conversational' is a follow on from the recent Channel 7 feature 'The Lindy Tapes' in which Andrew was interviewed. We recommend you watch the program on 7Plus here and then register to join us for the Zoom Webinar here.
Svenson Barristers looks forward to having Andrew Kirkham QC share with you some insights from his experience, in what is absolutely one of Australia's most prominent legal cases.
The Law Library of Victoria invites you to attend our online Switch On… information sessions. These thirty-minute digital sessions are suited to judicial officers, court staff, legal professionals, law students, and anyone with an interest in law.
The next webinar, Switch On… AustLII, is on Thursday 17 September 2020, 1:15 – 1:45pm. AustLII is Australia's most popular online free-access resource for Australian legal information and provides critical national research infrastructure supporting justice and enabling the rule of law for Australia and internationally. In this session staff from AustLII will run through some of the lesser-known but useful search features (Show excerpts, Date range search, View by number of downloads), explore new resources (Employment and Labour Law Library, Foundations of the Common Law project) and give a brief look at AustLII's legal inferencing platform (DataLex).
Bookings can be made through Eventbrite here.
Monash University is offering the following free webinar: CLARS Law & Business Seminar Series - Managing Management Buyouts. This seminar will comparatively assess the regulation of buyouts by private equity firms in major jurisdictions, focusing on the duties of directors and senior managers. It will consider mechanisms for constraining misconduct by fiduciaries, including fiduciary duties, private enforcement, and mandated disclosure. It will examine current developments in the United States, including recent Delaware decisions that suggest heightened judicial concern about potential misconduct in buyouts. The free webinar is scheduled for Wednesday 23 September 2020, 10:00 – 11:15am. You can register to attend this webinar here.
The Australian Bar Review is a highly regarded law journal produced by the Australian Bar Association and facilitates scholarly discussion of current issues in legal doctrine and procedure throughout Australia. Papers dealing with a national perspective of a topic are preferred, but papers of particular interest to a state or territory are not excluded from consideration. If a paper focuses on the legislation of one jurisdiction it should also include, in the text or a footnote, references to interstate equivalents. Professor the Hon. Clyde Croft AM SC is seeking submissions from members of the Victorian Bar. Senior, mid-tier and junior members are all welcome to contribute – the editorial staff are keen to foster the next generation of leaders of the Bar, as well as to acknowledge the expertise of the senior generation.
For submission guidelines and to submit an article, please visit the website here. More information is also available in the Note to Contributors here. If you have any queries about submissions, you may contact Professor Croft via email.
A new Monash University Law school initiative, Legal Latte, is a networking program that facilitates an initial contact between students and legal professionals so that they may arrange a casual meeting for a coffee and chat. The only commitment required is a casual catch up over coffee. Participants are encouraged to exchange details if they wish to remain in contact, but this is not necessary.
Members can learn more about the program and register here.
Deakin Law School is seeking arbitrators to help judge the fourth Alfred Deakin International Commercial Arbitration Moot. The moots will be held on a virtual platform on 8, 9 and 10 September 2020. Arbitrators will hear 32 teams registered from law schools around Australia and overseas.
Each round lasts for one hour with 30 minutes for questions, deliberation and feedback. Deakin Law School will supply the questions and bench notes in advance.
You can volunteer here. Please note that you are able to arbitrate from any state or country and all event times listed are in AEST.
Please check the website for more information. Any questions may be directed to Linda Black or Kayla Laird via email.
Deadline for the next issue:5pm, 10th September 2020