Legislation will be introduced into NSW Parliament extending the arrangements introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic  for the witnessing of important legal documents such as wills, powers of attorney and statutory declarations by audio visual link (AVL).  The legislation will enable the remote witnessing of documents via AVL to continue until the end of 2021. More here.

Due to ongoing health concerns, the Local Court is continuing to restrict attendance in court buildings for people not directly involved in court proceedings. Recently, some members of the legal profession have sought to bring staff to court for education and professional development. Allowing people to attend court purely for observation may mean that others are excluded, so the Court has asked that solicitors make sound assessments of the importance of such needs. The Court acknowledges that the health crisis may be with us for a long time and that equally the development of the legal profession is important. So, with this in mind, the following protocol for any attendance has been put in place:

1. Advance notice of the attendance of any person participating in legal programs or development should be provided to the appropriate court; and

2. A letter from the employer or supervisor setting out why attendance is necessary should be provided to the participant and made available to the NSW Sheriff's Officers at the time of entry to the court complex.

Please note that if numbers in particular courtrooms or buildings become too great, persons observing for this purpose may be required to leave. Further information regarding COVID-19 arrangements for NSW courts and tribunals is available here.

Given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the Law Society understands that solicitors may need to complete more than five CPD units through private study of audio/visual material. This means that for the 2020-21 CPD year, the Law Society will not enforce the five-unit cap on private study of audio/visual material. All other requirements under the CPD rules must be satisfied unless an exemption or extension of time is granted. More information here.

There were five new cases in NSW (two are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine) in the past 24 hours. Victoria has recorded 28 new cases and eight deaths. Latest COVID-19 case locations in NSW, classified by NSW Health for action, are available here.

NSW has eased restrictions on the Victorian border, increasing the size of its border zone and allowing travel within the zone for any purpose with a current permit. Victorian border region residents no longer need to comply with any Victorian Stay at Home Directions while in NSW. More information here.

Based on updated health advice, major sporting events at selected Sydney stadiums can increase crowds from 25 per cent to 50 per cent capacity (up to a maximum of 40,000 spectators) from 1 October 2020. More here.

Seasonally adjusted employment increased by 111,000 people (0.9 per cent) between July and August as hours worked rose 0.1 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. More here.

The OECD has upgraded Australia’s economic growth outlook for 2020 in its latest Interim Economic Outlook Report despite the global economy being hit by “an unprecedented sudden shock in modern times” as a result of the coronavirus crisis. More here.

The Law Society’s Dining Room Delivers service is supporting the President’s Charity, Foodbank NSW/ACT, during COVID-19. This week, choose between lamb shanks in Moroccan spices with preserved lemon and honey or a chicken fricassee with speck and swiss brown mushrooms in a creamy sauce. Order by 8am Tuesday 22 September for Friday 25 delivery. View menu and order here.