Random Banner 2
In Brief Issue #981
18Sep
Taking inspiration from our clients
During these past few months, we have all bunkered down in constrained personal and professional existences that have provided us more limited visibility than usual on what is happening in the legal marketplace. It was very gratifying, therefore, to have the opportunity to be part of the judging panel for the 2020 Association of Corporate Counsel Australia Corporate Lawyer Awards – to be able to look over the parapet and observe some of the trends in "client land".
Junior Vice-President Sam Hay S.C., Katherine Lorenz, our CEO, and I were among the judges who had the opportunity to read about some exciting projects, led by some remarkable individuals, in in-house legal teams. While the in-house nominees work in a wide variety of industries – from universities to property management and superannuation – some strong themes were evident about how they have been tackling the challenges of their in-house roles, both generally and in the current COVID-affected environment.
Not surprisingly, technological innovation was one area that featured heavily in the nominations. In-house teams are embracing change and bringing a ”futurist” approach to ensure their organisations remain competitive in their markets. Technology is being used to improve the efficiency of their legal processes, enhance the experience of their organisations' clients and customers, and to help both legal and pan-organisational teams work more productively together.
Of course, technology doesn't bring change by itself – and many of the nominees demonstrated their excellence and leadership by collaborating with others throughout their organisations as well as with external stakeholders – including their external legal advisors. I was particularly impressed by the way that the general counsel in the nominations that I read had advocated for change, and had spearheaded projects that will make a lasting impact on the governance of, and excellence within, their organisations. This is something that some readers will know that I'm passionate about – the role of in-house legal teams, assisted by their external counsel, to promote sound ethical governance by asking the question: "Should we, even if we can?"
Many of the nominees made sustainability a priority – not merely environmental sustainability, but the overall sustainability of their businesses, achieved by responsibly managing the interaction of technological advancement, environmental concerns and social responsibility. This often involved initiatives focused on empowerment, including devising activities that focus on improving social, environmental, educational, psychological and economic outcomes. Their commitment to inclusiveness and equality was also strikingly evident.
A final thought that struck me was the strategic insight apparent in the activities the nominees described. This is a key piece that barristers need to keep in mind when advising in-house teams: the ability to think critically and to understand the objectives and goals of their client and how they can best be advanced. The in-house lawyers we read about are distinguished by their legal skills, but are also flexible, multi-talented and keenly aware of the organisational “bigger picture”. They are strategic and tactical; leaders and team players; socially responsible and simultaneously committed to advancing their (internal) clients' interests. These are all essential qualities that make a good barrister, too. These are all qualities I hope members continue to display as they expand their practices at the Bar.
Finalists for the 2020 ACC Australia Corporate Lawyer Awards will be announced later today, and the winners will receive their trophies at a virtual ceremony on Wednesday 18 November. More information about the awards is available here.
Taking inspiration from our colleagues – 40 Years on from Chamberlain
For members who missed the original Svenson Barristers' CPD Conversational, “40 Years on from Chamberlain”, Andrew Kirkham AM RFD QC and Anna Svenson kindly offered the Bar the opportunity to replay the original webinar and provide members with a second opportunity to ask Andrew questions about the case. Andrew, together with the late John Phillips AC QC, acted for Michael and Lindy Chamberlain, including at their sensational 1982 trial.
This case is an incredible study on the operation of the criminal justice system, which inspired many (including me!) to take up the law. You can register for the webinar scheduled for this coming Monday afternoon at 4:30pm here.
I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend.
Ballot papers for Melbourne City Council elections will be posted to enrolled voters from 6 October 2020. More information about voting in the elections is here.
Given the uncertainty about when chambers will be open, it is important members ensure their work-related postal addresses, and any redirections, are current. Australia Post offers a simple way to check your address and request redirections.
You can redirect your mail on the Australia Post website here or call 13 76 78 for assistance.
Federal Circuit Court of Australia
The Governor-General in Council has appointed Patrick O’Shannessy S.C. as a judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia in the Melbourne registry.
Mr O’Shannessy will be sworn in today at 4.30pm.
A formal welcome will take place when the current Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.
The Victorian Bar is delighted to have the opportunity to re-broadcast Svenson Barrister’s 'CPD Conversational' with Barrister Andrew Kirkham AM RFD QC, who appeared with the late John Phillips AC QC, for Lindy and Michael Chamberlain in one of Australia's most prominent legal cases. The webinar provides a further opportunity for listeners to ask questions about the case, and the extensive legal battle to exhonerate the Chamberlains, to be moderated by Anna Svenson.
If you have not seen it, we recommend you watch 'The Lindy Tapes' on 7Plus before the webinar. The program gives a great summary of the handling of the expert evidence and facts of the case. The 7Plus link to view 'The Lindy Tapes' is here.
This webinar will invite questions through the Q&A function on Zoom. If you have any questions you would like addressed at the webinar please submit them to communications@vicbar.com.au before the event.
Click here to register for the event.
2020 has been a year of difficult revelations in the legal profession: a survey by the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner reported that one third of those who responded had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace; the Chief Justice of the High Court stating that an inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment against a former High Court Judge found that six former Court staff members were harassed by him; and the Victorian Attorney-General announced a comprehensive review of the practices and protocols preventing and reporting sexual harassment in the courts and VCAT and across the legal profession.
In this webinar, Jenny Firkin QC, Chair of the Bar’s Equality and Diversity Committee, speaks with Kenneth Hayne AC QC about sexual harassment at the Bar. 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 the event.
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.
- The Regulation of Barristers: Part 2 - Complaints and Investigations is on Tuesday 22 September 2020 at 5–6:00pm. This is the second of a two-part CPD presented by the members of the Counsel Committee and the Victorian Bar Investigator who will explain the background and process for complaint investigations into barristers’ conduct. Click here to register.
- Family Law: A chat with Judicial Officers is on Wednesday 23 September 2020 at 4:30–5:30pm. This CPD will cover the Lighthouse Project, the role of Registrars assisting in the running of duty lists in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and also the conduct of hearings via telephone and Microsoft Teams. Click here to register.
- Industrial Action – Compliance with orders and the need for it to have an industrial character is on Thursday 24 September 2020, 5:00–6.00pm. The speakers in this seminar will address two key issues that have emerged in the law about how the Fair Work Act 2009 conceives of “industrial action” and when action of that kind might be denied legal protection. 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.
Advocacy on behalf of the Bar
On Thursday 10 September, Wendy Harris QC, President of the Victorian Bar, sent a video message to members outlining the advocacy and other initiatives the Bar is undertaking on behalf of members so that the Bar and its members can adapt and thrive now and into the future. The video is available to view here.
Guide to virtual hearings – tips for barristers
The Innovation and Technology Committee (with special thanks to Juliet Forsyth S.C.) produced a guide to virtual hearings that barristers may find useful when preparing for, and appearing in, virtual hearings. The guide is available here.
Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
On Thursday 10 September 2020, the Court issued the following updated practice directions:
- Practice Direction No. 18 of 2020 – First Remand Hearings,which has been amended to remove the reference to the State of Disaster, is available here.
- Practice Direction No. 20 of 2020 – State of Disaster Declaration,which has been extended until 28 September 2020, is available here.
To access each email update relating to COVID-19 that VicBar has sent members, please click here.
The LGBTIQ Legal Service is a state wide, free community legal services provided by the St Kilda Legal Service. The LGBTIQ Legal Service has recently released a Report on Legal Needs Analysis: Reflections on legal need and future planning from our two-year pilot program.
The Report notes LGBTIQ people have complex and unique legal needs, which are compounded by barriers to accessing justice to address their legal needs, and that LGBTIQ communities disproportionately experience discrimination, harassment, violence and social exclusion, all of which contributes to risk factors that increase disadvantage, including experiencing mental illness and homelessness.
The Report also found that LGBTIQ communities face barriers to accessing legal services to address legal need, have a deep mistrust of the justice system, lack community specific or appropriate services and key information about available services. The top 10 legal issues dealt with by the LGBTIQ Legal Service since it commenced in 2018 are discrimination, residential tenancy, criminal law, family violence, employment law, consumer law, Centrelink, health complaints, victims of crime and infringements.
The Report recommended that the legal needs of the LGBTIQ communities are best met by a responsive, informed and specialist integrated service that understands how identities and status influence, interact and compound experiences within the legal system. The Report also recommended that an effective legal needs response requires collaboration between legal services, non-legal services, peer led community groups, education and law and policy reform to advance LGBTIQ rights within a fairer system.
The Report is available on the LGBTIQ website here.
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.
The next LGBTIQ drinks for rainbow barristers and friends and allies will be held on 24 September at 5:30pm. The link for the zoom meeting is here. The meeting ID is: 893 6615 5245 and the passcode is 197956.
Previous meetings have been very successful – it’s a great opportunity to offer support, chat, meet new people, make connections and share “war” stories.
The group appreciates everyone who has made it along so far – and if you haven’t had time yet they look forward to seeing you at the next meeting!
The Victorian Bar has organised fitness classes for members by Happy Melon Studios on Thursday 24 September and Thursday 1 October 2020 at 5–6:00pm.
The class is a fun way to improve strength and cardio fitness. Participants will get a serious full-body workout whilst invigorating the mind. More information about Happy Melon is here.
Click here to register for the classes.
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
Don't miss out on these exclusive member deals for September with some great offers and gift ideas.
The Private International and Commercial Law Section of the Attorney-General's Department is currently progressing possible reforms to the the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (PPS Act) in response to the 2015 statutory review (the Whittaker Review).
As part of this reform process, the department is seeking to consult on provisions in the PPS Act regarding financial property and intermediated securities.
To assist with the consultation process, the department have developed a discussion paper which is available here.
The department is seeking submissions regarding any of the following:
- How financial products are defined in the PPS Act
- How security interests in financial products should be treated, and
- How these security interests should be enforced.
This consultation process will inform the Attorney-General’s policy considerations and help ensure the law regarding financial property and intermediated securities is clear and fit for purpose in the PPS Act.
Submissions close on 16 October 2020. Questions and submissions can be directed to this email.
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.
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.
On 4 September 2020, the Victorian Legal Services Board (‘the Board’) resolved to appoint Mr Damian Neylon as Manager of the sole practitioner Yasemin Ozer trading as Ozer Lawyers (‘the Law Practice’), pursuant to section 334 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (‘Uniform Law’). The appointment is for a period of six months and expires on 2 March 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 Neylon on 03 9993 0490 or at damian@neylonlegal.com.au if members have any concerns about payment of their fees.
The conference was the biggest ever for the Australian Women Lawyers Ltd, with over 1000 people either registered or on the waiting list, and events held with screenings around the country with additional women lawyers attending.
For those who missed out on attending, video recordings of the sessions are available here.
ACICA is pleased to present Australian Arbitration Week 2020 (AAW 2020) of the week of 12 October 2020. A full Calendar of Events is now available on the AAW website here, which will be kept updated as new event information is released.
ACICA, together with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Australia (CIArb Australia), will launch AAW2020 with Australia’s premier international arbitration event, the 2020 International Arbitration Conference featuring a line-up of speakers from across Australia and around the world. This year the conference will be offered virtually and is open to registrants around the globe. Program and speaker information is available to view on the website. You can register for the Conference here.
Please take a moment to explore the extensive program drawing together expert practitioners from around the world and dealing with an exciting range of topics including:
- Advocacy in the Virtual Environment
- Technology as an Enabler in International Arbitration
- The Future of Investor-State Dispute Resolution
- Around the Globe in 60 Minutes : Current Hot Topics in International Arbitration
- Mega Projects in the New Normal
- Is Third Party Funding Changing International Arbitration?
- Enhancing Efficiencies in the Arbitral Process.
Registration, program and speaker details may be found here.
LAWASIA 2020 Conference
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.
Annual Council Meeting
LAWASIA’s Annual Council Meeting 2020 will be held on Tuesday 13 October 2020 at 16:00 – 18:00 (AEST) via Zoom.
All LAWASIA Councillors and representatives from LAWASIA member organisations, are warmly invited to attend the Council meeting. Councillors and/or member organisations are requested to register their attendance at the Council Meeting by completing this online form. The Zoom link for the meeting is available here.
This meeting will mark the accreditation of the 2020-2021 LAWASIA Council.
Please refer to the LAWASIA Council 2019-2020 here for a list of the 2019/2020 Councillors and Alternate Councillors, as appointed by predominant member organisations; and Presidents of non-predominant LAWASIA member organisations.
Any changes to existing appointments can be made in writing to lawasia@lawasia.asn.au by Monday 21 October 2020.
If no amendments are received by the LAWASIA Secretariat by the due date, the assumption will be that current details are to remain in situ.
Thanks to all member organisations that have already submitted a completed form B.1 (Councillor Nomination).
The following documents are relevant to the meeting: [link attached PDFs]
- LAWASIA Council and Member Organisations 2019-2020
- LAWASIA Draft Council Agenda 2020
- Item 5.1 Proposed Amendments to Article II of the LAWASIA Constitution
- Item 6 Applications (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4) for Organisational Membership
LAWASIA would like to draw attendees’ attention to the following items in the draft agenda:
- Proposed amendments to Article II of the LAWASIA Constitution, and
- Applications for organisational membership.
A final agenda and a full set of Council papers will be distributed closer to the meeting date.
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.
How organisations can move beyond tokenism to real action on racism
VicBar members are invited to view DCA’s free recording of its webinar How organisations can move beyond tokenism to real action on racism. The webinar addressed the following questions: Why racism continues to be a problem in this country; How and why culturally diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are still excluded at work; How important it is to actively call out racism; What needs to be done to raise Indigenous and other culturally diverse voices, and How well-intentioned people and institutions can move beyond tokenism to becoming a leader on change for the better.
To view this webinar, you’ll need to be a member of Diversity Council Australia. To become a member, please register here and we will forward you the login instructions. You will need to use your VicBar email address. Current members of DCA can register to view the webinar here.
Mental health first aid: What is it and why do we need it, especially now?
VicBar members are invited to attend DCA’s next webinar, which investigates what mental health first aid is and how intervening and providing initial support for staff experiencing difficulties is critical, both for the individuals themselves and for the wider organisation. Insights will include:
- How to identify the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and how workplaces can best respond and provide support
- How to respond in the event of a crisis, such as when someone is suicidal
- How to build capability and confidence in providing mental health first aid
- When to refer an incident to a mental health professional
- The role of workplace flexibility and reasonable adjustments in responding, and
- What can be done to encourage a mentally healthy workplace, including tackling stigma.
To view this webinar, you’ll need to be a member of Diversity Council Australia. To become a member, please register here and we will forward you the login instructions. You will need to use your VicBar email address. Current members of DCA can learn more about this webinar and register here.
The Kingdom of Tonga is accepting applications for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
The term of the appointment is for four years, commencing 1 December 2020.
The principal practice area will be criminal law, and extensive experience is required in that area.
Applications close 16 October 2020 at noon.
More information and how to apply is available here.
The International Legal Foundation (ILF) is seeking lawyers with extensive criminal defence experience and legal aid institutional know-how to join its Natalie Rea International Fellows program and provide training and capacity building to local lawyers and legal aid providers in developing and transitional legal systems through day-to-day, case-by-case mentoring.
Juvenile justice experts are particularly needed to support the development of specialised units to provide quality representation to children in conflict with the law.
We currently have fellow positions available with our teams in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Palestine (West Bank) and Tunisia. Fellows are normally embedded within ILF’s local offices, but due to the unfolding global health emergency, fellows will work remotely for the foreseeable future. An in-country fellow role may be possible, as the situation develops and if circumstances allow.
How to apply or for more information
More information is available in this flyer.
If interested or for more information, please contact ILF at fellows@theilf.org. Applicants should send a thoughtful cover letter and resume. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interview.
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.
Deadline for the next issue:5pm, 24th September 2020