The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) has now published a Guide to Good Practice on the Use of Video-Link under the Evidence Convention. In efforts to address challenges that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guide will be made available to the public at no charge on the HCCH website.

The Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia and Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, the Hon William Alstergren, today announced that the Governor-General has accepted the Courts’ nomination of Mr David Pringle as Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar of the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court. Find details here. 
 

A COVID-related section has been set up on the home page of the NSW Government legislation website. The section provides links to all the NSW COVID-related legislation, whether it’s gazetted, assented to or notified. New COVID-19 regulations that commenced yesterday include the Local Government (General) Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2020, Workers Compensation Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2020 and Firearms Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2020.

The object of this Regulation is to amend the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 to make a transitional provision consequent on the enactment of the Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No 2) 2019 to allow for certain proceedings to commence. This Regulation is made under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014, including section 166 (the general local regulation-making power) and clause 1(1) and (5) of Schedule 9 to the Act. Find details here. 

These regulations amend the Fair Work Regulations 2009 to temporarily shorten the period that employees must have access to a copy of a proposed variation of an enterprise agreement, and before which employees must be notified of the details of the vote on the variation, from seven calendar days to one calendar day. See details here.

After a meeting of the National Cabinet, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has released an update on COVID-19 measures. There are “no plans” to change the current lockdown measures for at least another four weeks. National Cabinet has agreed to a framework for future actions to plan the pathway for next steps in responding to the virus and conditions for relaxation. National Cabinet agreed that any changes to the current measures must be underpinned by a strengthened public health response for case and contact identification and management, continued surge capacity in the healthcare system, and a clear communications plan. Read the full transcript of the Prime Minister’s media conference here.

National Cabinet also agreed to a series of National Principles for School Education. Ultimately, decisions about return to school arrangements will remain the responsibility of the states and territories. NSW school students will return to school from the third week of term two (May 11), but the NSW Premier has indicated there could be a rostering system to stagger the return.

Following the National Cabinet, Chief Medical Officer Dr Brendan Murphy provided an update on the measures underway on the latest data and medical advice in relation to coronavirus. There are more than 6,400 confirmed cases in Australia and 63 people have died. National Cabinet also highlighted the importance of people who are self-isolating and registering on the COVID-19 app. Dr Murphy also released the latest modelling of the current impact of COVID-19 in Australia.

National Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of Australians with disability are considered as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds. National Cabinet endorsed the Management and Operational Plan for COVID-19 for People with Disability and agreed to its release on the Australian Government Department of Health’s website. The Plan ensures a national approach to protecting and supporting people with disability, their families and carers during the pandemic by providing guidance on a range of factors that need to be considered in managing and preventing the transmission of COVID-19.

As a result of COVID-19, Revenue NSW has invoked its business continuity plan. The priority is to ensure the safety of employees, customers and stakeholders while maintaining effective business operations to support conveyancing. Commencing 4 May, all complex assessing and refund applications lodged by industry professionals must be lodged digitally through our eDuties service.
Click here for more information on eDuties and how to register.

Online lodgements for 2020-21 practising certificate (PC) and membership renewals are now open. For those who did not renew online last year, we really encourage you to try and do so this year. If you need help, our registry team members are happy to walk you through the process over the telephone on (02) 9926 0156.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the research findings from the 2019 FLIP Stream topic, ‘Change Leadership for Lawyers’, will now be presented via webcast on Wednesday 29 April 2020. With COVID-19 disrupting our daily lives, understanding how to manage change – whether transformational or crisis-driven, planned or emergent – is even more vital. Read more here.