Association News

During National Reconciliation Week (NRW) the Indigenous Justice Committee is holding a CPD on the immediate needs of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system. Topics will include the use of community justice reports in court and recent decisions as to the effects of COVID-19 upon bail for Indigenous people. We are delighted that Magistrate Falla will Chair the CPD and give an acknowledgment of Country. We welcome all members of the Bar to join us at this CPD. Click here to register.

The Victorian Bar hosted four events during Law Week 2020 - each was recorded so they could be made available to members on-demand.

One of the presentations is Must Love Coffee (and Know How to Zoom): The Privileges, Perils and Percolations of Life as a Victorian Barrister in the Age of COVID-19 which is a candid panel discussion featuring eminent, dynamic (and technologically adept!) barristers sharing how they survive and thrive in their lives at the Bar during COVID-19. Thanks to the Victorian Bar’s Equality & Diversity Committee for sharing their experiences and insights.

The Chief Judge of the County Court, the Honourable Peter Kidd, was “In Conversation” with Barrister and Bar Council Member Elizabeth Ruddle on Wednesday, in the fourth of VicBar’s series of webinars featuring the judiciary discussing the impact of COVID-19 on the courts with VicBar members. Questions moderated by Daniel Nguyen included:

The Ethics Committee publishes this bulletin for the assistance of counsel who are briefed to act for litigants pursuant to ss.71 and 72 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic) (‘the Act’). This bulletin seeks to address the difficulties that counsel may encounter when briefed by Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) or one of its external firms on a limited retainer solely to cross-examine a protected witness.