The Law Society has reduced 2020-21 membership fees to $10 + GST for all practitioners in order to alleviate financial stress during this time. The date for renewal of practising certificates and membership has moved to 7 April 2020 (from 1 April). Please be aware that the membership fee is separate to fees/costs associated with your entitlement to practise, such as your practising certificate fee. Read a message from Law Society President Richard Harvey here.

Practising certificate renewals will launch on 7 April. Law Society Registry will experience a higher than usual number of calls after this time. Please be patient. The Phillip Street premises are currently closed, but measures have been implemented to ensure minimal disruption to Law Society operations and services, with a particular focus on the renewals process. Staff are working remotely and are available Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, on (02) 9926 0156 or registry@lawsociety.com.au. Read more updates about PC renewals here.

The Law Society Trust Accounts Department wants to reassure all law practices that they are sympathetic to the challenging circumstances posed by the COVID-19 protocols. Click here for more information. 

A COVID-19 Public Defenders resource page for criminal lawyers is now live.

While changes to the operations of the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court have been implemented in accordance with the necessary restrictions placed on our community by the Commonwealth Government, the Courts remain open to assist families in these challenging times. Read more here.

The Chief Magistrate, the Hon Judge Graeme Henson AM, has outlined arrangements applicable to the management of applications for Apprehended Violence Orders in the Local Court during the pandemic period. Read more here.

The Law Society’s Professional Standards Department has compiled a list of the most frequent queries coming in from the profession regarding COVID-19. They are updated regularly.

A special COVID-related section has been set up on the home page of the NSW legislation website. The section provides links in one place to all the NSW COVID-related legislation, whether it’s gazetted, assented to or notified. 

As more people work from home and schools close, mobile phone providers are experiencing daily increases in demand on the mobile phone network and this is expected to continue. Telstra has reported that mobile call volumes on certain routes and geographies are up by more than 50 per cent and they are working with Optus to fast-track upgrades to their interconnection capabilities. Some practitioners may experience remote access problems caused by their internet or mobile service providers including when contacting the Law Society or during the PC and membership online renewal process. Please bear with us in these challenging times.

Unsure about exactly what the rules are regarding COVID-19-related restrictions? The NSW Government has a handy portal with clear information and resources on current rules, health updates, and critical services.