Working with the Courts during lockdown and Dementia Action Week

This past week I have continued to speak with heads of jurisdiction about the feedback we are receiving from many practitioners who are struggling to prepare matters and comply with timetables during the lockdown. We appreciate the Courts are trying to keep the wheels of justice turning whilst complying with public health orders. However, we are being told that operating in a ‘business as usual’ environment has become particularly stressful for those practitioners who have young children, are home schooling, or don’t have an appropriate working from home environment.

Our heads of jurisdiction have been very receptive to our representations and we are very grateful for the concern they have expressed for the legal profession.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW, the Hon. Tom Bathurst SC, issued a media statement on this very issue last week, in which he reassured practitioners not to feel concerned about approaching the Court to seek appropriate extensions or flexibility in matters.  The Chief Justice emphasised that all judges of the Court sympathise with those working under these difficulties and understand the pressure they are placing on practitioners

Likewise, the Chief Judge of the District Court, the Hon. Derek Price AO, has also said he is very amenable to helping practitioners in this regard.

The Chief Justice of the Federal Court, the Hon. James Allsop AO, made similar assurances in a letter to the profession, in which he thanked practitioners for assisting the Court in meeting the demands of this pandemic, and in doing so, ensuring access to justice for the community.

And last week, along with my counterparts from the NSW Bar Association and Law Institute of Victoria, I spoke with the Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Hon. William Alstergren, about this very issue. On Friday, I received a letter from Chief Justice Alstergren in which he expressed his thanks to the profession for their extraordinary work in supporting their clients, their colleagues, and the Courts since the onset of the pandemic in March this year. The Chief Justice said that “the Courts will endeavour to accommodate any reasonable request made for extensions of time when necessary, and members of the profession should feel comfortable in jointly approaching the chambers of a Judge or Registrar with such requests where appropriate”.

I am very grateful for this ongoing support and understanding from the heads of jurisdiction. It has strengthened our profession’s relationship with the Courts during the past 18 months, for the benefit of our clients and the communities we serve.

A little support makes a big difference

September is Dementia Awareness month; this week is Dementia Action Week and tomorrow is World Alzheimer’s Day. Sadly, dementia affects close to half a million Australians and another 1.6 million are involved in caring for people with dementia. Without a medical breakthrough the number of Australians living with dementia is expected to reach almost 1.1 million by 2056. My family is one of many who have experienced the devastating impact this disease has on those who are living with and those caring for someone with dementia. It is why I chose the Dementia Australia Research Foundation as my President’s Charity for 2021.

During Dementia Action Week, Dementia Australia is providing simple and practical tips on how to give a little support to a person living with dementia as well as their family, friends and carers. A little support can go a long way to ensuring that people living with dementia live active and fulfilling lives many years after diagnosis. If you want to know more or would like to support the important work undertaken by Dementia Australia Research Foundation, you can read more here.

Juliana Warner, President, Law Society of NSW