Video conferencing technology like Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Microsoft Teams and Zoom can now be used in the witnessing of important legal documents like wills, powers of attorney and statutory declarations under a new regulation made today by the Governor. Read the Attorney General’s media release here.

The vast majority of appearances in the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia are currently being conducted electronically. To assist practitioners and litigants with the technical aspects of these appearances, the Courts have developed a Guide for Practitioners and Litigants to Virtual Hearings and Microsoft Teams.

COVID-19 information and updates regarding the operation and service delivery of the IPC and relevant impacts under NSW Information Access and Privacy Legislation are available on the Information and Privacy Commission (IPC) NSW website.  This includes information targeted at agencies and citizens regarding authorisation by clients to facilitate legal representation.

The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) has made urgent amendments to the Motor accident guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, available on the SIRA website.

SIRA has amended the Workers Compensation Regulation 2016 (through the Workers Compensation Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2020) and the Workers compensation guidelines to reduce regulatory barriers and provide clarity for insurers and other stakeholders regarding the approach to arranging work capacity assessment appointments and independent medical examinations. A summary of the amendments can be found on the SIRA website, with additional information available in SIRA’s claims management guide.

A number of workers compensation fee orders have now been updated and are available on the SIRA website.

Revenue NSW has published updated information for commercial and residential landlords regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) and land tax support measures, including the eligibility criteria and the application process. A reminder that commencing Monday 4 May all complex assessing and refund applications must be lodged digitally through Revenue NSW eDuties service. More info.

The Management and Operational Plan for COVID-19 for People with Disability is now available on the Federal Health website. The Plan forms part of the national response developed by the Federal Government and is aligned to the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Coronavirus (COVID-19) with representation from a range of backgrounds.

Online lodgements for 2020-21 practising certificate (PC) and Law Society membership renewals are now open. For those who did not renew online last year, we really encourage you to 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.

Waverly Council is set to allow limited access to Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches for surfers and swimmers from Tuesday next week. The new rules will see certain areas of the Sydney beaches opened for water access for the purposes of exercise between 7am and 5pm on weekdays only. Randwick Council opened its beaches strictly for exercise from Monday this week. Read more here.

The full transcript of the media conference given by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Health Minister Greg Hunt, and Chief Medical Officer Dr Brendan Murphy following yesterday’s National Cabinet meeting is now available here.

The latest information on return to school arrangements in NSW for Term 2 is now available for families here.

In trend terms, the Internet Vacancy Index (IVI)1 fell by 5.3 per cent (or 7,700 job advertisements) in March 2020, reflecting the onset of the economic downturn stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the year this fall was more pronounced, with job advertisements down by 22.7 per cent (40,300). The IVI now stands at an all-time series low of 137,100. Details here.