Online lodgements for 2020-21 practising certificate (PC) and membership renewals are now open. Practitioners should have received an email today containing a link and information on how to renew their PC and Law Society membership online. If you haven’t received an email, or have any queries about your renewal, please contact the Law Society Registry on (02) 9926 0156 or by email: registry@lawsociety.com.au. Read more here.

The requirement to complete supervised legal practice is a statutory condition imposed under s 49 the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW). However, due to unprecedented office closures and remote working arrangements, and to ensure there is ongoing and adequate supervision of legal practitioners, the Law Society’s Licensing Committee has provided the following information and guidelines for remote supervision.

In considering any possible workplace issues arising from COVID-19, it is important to have access to information from the appropriate sources. Find out about workplace entitlements and obligations for people affected by COVID-19 on the Fair Work Ombudsman's Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws and Pay during inclement weather and stand down webpages.

Hearings in the civil jurisdiction of the District Court are continuing and legal practitioners are expected to appear by use of the virtual courtroom. Read more here.

The April edition of LSJ has been mailed out to Law Society members and subscribers to registered addresses, as per usual. If you are working from home, please ask your employer to redirect postage of the magazine to your home address or arrange collection. Alternatively, most content can also be found on LSJ Online.

The Law Society’s Professional Standards Department has updated its list of the most frequent queries coming in from the profession regarding COVID-19. Read them here.

The latest advice and information for the NSW community and businesses, including information about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, social distancing, and what you can and can’t do under the current rules, is available here.

The Federal Government’s update on COVID-19 includes information about Easter holidays, religious services, commercial tenancies, and childcare and education. For more information on coronavirus and the Government’s response, please visit the Treasury or Australian Government websites.

The Australian Government has announced measures to crackdown on COVID-19 related cyber scams. Read more here.

Key elements of the package, announced by the NSW Premier, include free accommodation for frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic, funding for medical research and vaccine trials, and the doubling of ICU capacity in NSW. Read more here.

The ATO has announced special arrangements this year due to COVID-19 to make it easier for people to claim deductions for working from home. Read details here.

The Prime Minister today announced a new commercial tenancy code of conduct for small- to medium-sized businesses with an eye to maintaining contracts while reducing rent during the period of economic hibernation. In an address to the nation after a National Cabinet meeting, the PM also urged Australians to stay at home this Easter, saying failure to do so "would completely undo everything we have achieved so far together". Read more here.

Chief Justice, The Hon James Allsop AO, has issued the following update and memorandum.