President-elect, Joanne van der Plaat and the Council of the Law Society of NSW are pleased to announce the 2022 Opening of Law Term dinner, to be held on Wednesday 2 February at Parliament House Sydney. Register now to secure your place.

The Law Society of New South Wales will be closed from Friday 24 December 2021 through to Friday 7 January 2022. During this period, the Law Society will operate with a skeleton staff which will service specific licensing functions. The Law Society’s Phillip Street building and most services to the profession and public, however, will be closed. This is also the final issue of Monday Briefs for 2021. It will resume from 24 January 2022.

The Australian Bar Review recently published its first Indigenous special edition, celebrating the publication of its 50^th volume. The range of contributors includes a foreword by Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, James Allsop AO, an editorial note by guest editor Anthony McAvoy SC and articles from Mick Dodson, Guy C Charlton, Louise Goodchild, Lucy-Ann Kelley and Prue Vines.

The Law Society’s Access to Justice Department is seeking expressions of interest from practitioners wishing to be on the 2022 – 2023 panels. All outgoing panellists (for 2020-2021) MUST submit a new EOI form if they want to be considered for inclusion for this period. Please fill out this form and return to adr@lawsociety.com.au by no later than Friday, 14 January 2022 at 5pm.

Don't miss this chance to promote and highlight your expert legal knowledge in one of the six areas of law offered. Register today ahead of everyone else with our early bird discount, available until the end of February.

The Specialist Accreditation Program is calling for Expressions of Interest from practitioners interested in sitting on the Specialist Accreditation Board. Click here.

The Specialist Accreditation Program is calling for Expressions of Interest from practitioners interested in sitting on the Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committees. Click here.

The Law Society’s Access to Justice Department invites all interested law firms to join the Solicitor Referral Service (SRS). The SRS connects members of the public with law firms that may be able to assist with a legal matter. Once registered, we will provide your firm’s contact details to members of the public from time to time for matters that match your firm’s areas of practice and location. Please note that there is no obligation to provide legal assistance under the SRS. To register, please fill out this form. For enquiries, please call 02 9926 0364.

The Access to Justice Department invites all interested law firms to join the Pro Bono Scheme. The Scheme connects eligible applicants to law firms that are willing to provide legal services for free or on a reduced-fee basis. Once registered, we will contact your firm from time to time in relation to pro bono matters that match your firm’s areas of practice and location. Please note that there is no obligation to accept a pro bono referral. To register, please fill out this form. For enquiries, please call 02 9926 0364.

All Library services will conclude for the year at 2pm on Friday 24 December 2021 and return at 9am on Monday 10 January 2022. Where possible, please submit all requests for assistance to library@lawsociety.com.au by 4:00pm on Friday, 17 December 2021. Please note: the Library will reopen its doors to visitors at 170 Phillip Street at 9:00am on Monday, 31 January 2022.

A virtual Ceremonial Sitting welcoming Justice Richard Schonell will be held on 14 December 2021 at 4:00pm; and another to farewell Justice Ann Ainslie-Wallace on 15 December 2021 at 4.30 pm. Please note numbers are strictly limited due to the ongoing COVID situation and remote attendance will be via livestream here.

Pineapple glazed ham, crisp herb roasted vegetable medley, salad of roasted nectarines, rocket and pickled eshallots, and steamed “Mrs. Beeton’s” plum puddings with thick vanilla custard and cranberry jelly. Order by 10am Tuesday for Friday delivery.

On-demand webcast ∙ Password: Bupa12345

Thursday 3 February 2022

Costs
Pitfalls in the Legal Profession Uniform Law costs assessment regime – Part 2
By Christopher Bevan >

Litigation
Evaluating witnesses in an online court
By Michael Legg and Dr Eryn Newman >

Dell Technologies rewards members with up to extra 10 per cent off* selected Latitude, Optiplex, PowerEdge, Dell Networking, storage, monitors and more to help you advance your practice with the latest technology. Applicable on sale and online prices. *T&Cs apply. Shop now.

Last days to get six weeks free when you join Bupa on a selected combined Hospital and Extras cover. Plus get access a range of health and wellness services as well as great corporate discounts to help you live a longer, healthier, happier life. Call 134 135 and quote ID 2108747. Offer ends 31 December 2021.

Start 2022 right, from your brand new, virtual city office. Members receive two months virtual office rent free. With more than 500 legal practices, Clarence is Australia’s largest independent group of solicitors. Enter code TWOMONTHSFREE to book and learn more about the Law Society’s member benefits.