The Law Society regularly updates its dedicated COVID-19 page. It contains a range of information for the profession including changes to courts, tribunals and legal bodies, workplace entitlements, COVID-19 FAQs, and PC and membership renewals.

The courts have published general information about border restrictions and parenting orders. Read it here.

The Supreme Court of NSW has updated its information in regard to probate and family provision. Read more here.

Under the JobKeeper payment, businesses impacted by the coronavirus can access a subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees. Affected employers can claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum period of six months. The payment is available to full-time and part-time workers, sole traders and casuals who have been with their employer for 12 months or more. Read more here.

The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) is significantly focusing its regulatory efforts on adapting and responding to the impacts of COVID-19. SIRA is taking a common-sense approach to its advisory, compliance and enforcement activities. Updated information is available on the SIRA website.

The NSW government has increased its childcare funding package to ensure 260 council-run childcare centres not eligible for the JobKeeper payments continue to operate for the duration of the crisis. Read more here.

Around one million families will receive free childcare during the coronavirus pandemic under a new plan from the Federal Government, which will pay 50 per cent of the childcare sector’s fee revenue. The funding will apply from 6 April. Find details here.

Sole traders may be eligible to receive the JobKeeper payment if their turnover has reduced. Following registration by the eligible business, the Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight per eligible employee for a maximum of six months. This will support sole traders to maintain their income and connection with employees. Read more here.

The Government is providing temporary cash flow support of up to $100,000 for eligible small- and medium-sized businesses, and not-for-profits that employ staff, to help with their cash flow so they can keep operating, pay rent, electricity and other bills, and retain staff. Read more here.

The NSW Government is providing grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses struggling to cope with the COVID-19 shutdown. Read more here.

The Government has announced a mandatory code of conduct for commercial tenancies to support small- and medium-sized enterprises. Read more here. 

For further information on Coronavirus and the Federal Government’s response, please visit: www.treasury.gov.au/coronavirus or www.australia.gov.au. Alternatively, you can contact the business.gov.au support line at 13 28 46.

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 website.

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 Chief Magistrate of the Local Court, the Hon Judge Graeme Henson AM, has issued a Memorandum which extends existing arrangements in relation to defended hearings and consolidates and clarifies those arrangements previously published in separate memoranda. 
 
The Chief Magistrate has also issued an updated Memorandum providing further clarification of Local Court arrangements for EAGP Matters during the pandemic period.

The object of this Rule is to amend the Supreme Court Rules 1970 for the following purposes - (a) to permit an applicant to file a bail application by email, in person and by post, (b) to clarify that only an applicant who is in custody may file a bail application by fax, (c) to correct the email address that an application made to the Supreme Court under the Service and Execution of Process Act 1992 of the Commonwealth must be sent to. 

The Law Society has reduced 2020-21 membership fees to $10 + GST for all practitioners in order to alleviate financial stress during this time.

Please be aware that the $10 (plus GST) membership fee is separate to fees associated with your entitlement to practise, such as your practising certificate (PC) fee. Online lodgements for 2020-21 PC and membership renewals are now open.  
 
From everyone at the Law Society, we wish you a safe and happy Easter. Stay home, stay positive, and you will receive the next Daily Update from us on Tuesday 14 April.