Monday Briefs

9 November

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Your weekly professional update
9 November 2020
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Upcoming events and celebrating the third anniversary of the Australian vote for marriage equality

Looking ahead, there are a number of key online events on the events calendar which will be of interest for members including our FLIP Virtual Regional Roadshow this week, a forum on Modern Slavery next week, and Specialist Accreditation Week from 23-27 November. Continue reading >
 
 
NEWS
Promotions, Principal Practising Certificates and Practice Management Courses
A practitioner’s promotion or a change to their manner of practice may impose new responsibilities, such as an intention to practise as a principal of a law practice or they fall within the recent Migration Act amendments affecting legal practitioners. Read more. 
Staying Well in the Law with Dr Jemma King
Although rewarding, working in the law is not without its challenges. Solicitors may be facing stress, anxiety and difficulties with work-life balance, as the legal profession continues to deliver for clients during this particularly challenging year. Drawing from the research and her experiences, Dr Jemma King, Founder and Director of BioPsychAnalytics, will discuss how to master your internal stress response and regulate your emotions, for sustained optimal performance. Register.
Specialist Accreditation 2021: Expressions of interest
Register your interest for the Specialist Accreditation 2021 Program to receive a notification as soon as applications open. Click here to complete the form and find out the areas of law available.
Rural Issues Day 2020 recordings now available
All recordings from Rural Issues Day 2020 are now available to watch on-demand via LawInform. Access seven CPD hours of sessions on legal issues that directly impact rural legal practice from experts across the profession. View all courses on LawInform.
Lunch with Sonja Stewart
The new CEO of the Law Society of NSW is a proud Yuin woman; the first Indigenous person and the first woman to hold the position in the organisation’s 136-year history. Sonja Stewart shares her journey and vision over lunch. Read more. 
Just Chat Podcast: Teela Reid
Teela Reid is a proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman and lawyer. In a revealing conversation, she talks to LSJ about family, her determination to improve the criminal justice system for Aboriginal people and why she took a former Prime Minister to task on live television. Listen now. 
NAIDOC Week 8-15 November 2020
NAIDOC Week 2020 invites all Australians to embrace the true history of this country – a history which dates back thousands of generations. It’s about seeing, hearing and learning the First Nations’ 60,000+ year history of this country - which is Australian history. Always was, always will be.
See what’s on.
‘Speak Out’ against domestic violence
The Law Society of NSW supports the NSW Government’s campaign ‘Speak Out’ that assists women suffering from domestic violence. The campaign was launched in June amid concern of a rise in domestic violence during the COVID-19 lockdown. It is targeted at places where victim-survivors may feel safe to contact the NSW Domestic Violence Line. Materials for ‘Speak Out’, including promotional posters and social media videos, can be viewed on the NSW Government’s website here.
Corrective Services NSW - privileged mail update
Following the suspension of visits in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Corrective Services NSW identified an increase in attempts to introduce contraband via mail, including mail purporting to be privileged mail. To address this, Corrective Services NSW has reinforced its inmate mail policy in relation to privileged mail. Read more.
Food delivery service to help FoodBank
Our Dining Room is cooking up a bush tucker-inspired hamper in celebration of NAIDOC week. Order by 8am Tuesday for Friday delivery. All profits go to support the 2020 President's Charity, FoodBank NSW & ACT.
 
 
WHAT'S ON
Staying well in the law: Managing stress for sustained performance over time
10 November 2020
RSVP extended: 2020 NDIS Forum with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal
12 November 2020
FLIP Virtual Regional Roadshow
13 November 2020
Modern Slavery Forum
17 November 2020
Whistleblowing – what is it, who does it, when is it lawful, when is it mandatory?
19 November 2020
Specialist Accreditation Week
23-27 November 2020
Mandatory rule 6.1 - the new world of legal practice - live webinar
3 December 2020
A conversation on current issues in the practice of employment and industrial law
3 December 2020
Insights into the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements – live webinar
8 December 2020
NSW YOUNG LAWYERS
NSW REGIONAL LAW SOCIETIES
EVENTS CALENDAR
LAWINFORM CPD CALENDAR
 
 
PROCLAMATIONS
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PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
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Important notice about credit card payments for Scheme applications
In accordance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) the Law Society is unable to accept (hard copy) Scheme applications submitted by email that contain credit card holder details. If received, such applications will be treated as incomplete and immediately deleted to comply with the Law Society’s obligations under the Standard.

We therefore encourage all Scheme Coordinators to make their applications for the 2020-21 Scheme year via the online Scheme Portal which can be accessed here. Applications must be completed by 21 November 2020. For assistance please contact our friendly Scheme Team on 02 9926 0189 or by email to scheme@lawsociety.com.au.
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Latest edition of the Court of Appeal’s Decisions of Interest bulletin
The Decisions of Interest bulletin is a regular publication produced by the Court of Appeal, summarising appellate decisions from Australia and internationally. Read the latest bulletin here.
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Revenue NSW has made the following updates:
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Reminder: Testamentary trusts and surcharge purchaser duty and land tax
The State Revenue Legislation Further Amendment Act 2020 provides for an exemption from surcharge purchaser duty and surcharge land tax payable in respect of residential land by the trustee of a discretionary trust if the trust irrevocably prevents a foreign person from being a beneficiary of the trust. Wills or codicils executed on or after 1 January 2021 which contain a testamentary trust should, if appropriate, include a provision to prevent a foreign person from benefitting, and that provision must similarly be irrevocable for the exemption to apply. See CPN 004 v2 Foreign surcharges and discretionary trusts,  LSJ article: ‘NSW duty and land tax surcharges to impact discretionary trusts’ and Lawcover Risk Alert.
 
LEGAL UPDATES powered by LSJ
Employment law
When is a complaint or inquiry a protected ‘workplace right’?
By Jack de Flamingh and Zack Trumper >
Mediation
Singapore Convention: The next tool in resolving international disputes
By Evatt Styles and Wilson Chan >
 
IN THE PRESS
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YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS PROGRAM
Mindfulness and why it matters
Your health and wellbeing means more than just eating right and working out. Practising mindfulness can help you relax and unwind. A little time to yourself goes a long way. Find out more.
Looking for your next investment property?
Centaur Property Solutions has a unique approach to working with investors who wish to create wealth through property as they navigate the market using research, due diligence, and over 25 years of experience. Law Society members receive a $2,500 cash rebate at settlement. Find out more.
Save 10 per cent on insurance with award-winning NobleOak
Thousands of Australians trust NobleOak with their life insurance. Could it be time to look at your cover and consider switching? NobleOak is offering a 10 per cent lifetime discount on life insurance cover to members. Find out more.
 
 
 
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