Monday Briefs

27 September

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Your weekly professional update
27 September 2021
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Vaccinations in the workplace and navigating mental health in the COVID era

As NSW nudges towards the 70% double vaccination target and lockdown restrictions start to ease, employers will be looking for guidance about whether staff should be fully vaccinated before returning to the workplace in person. To assist law firms and legal practices, members of the Law Society’s Employment Law Committee have written an informative article examining the legal framework surrounding mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations and the workplace, which has been published in this month’s LSJ. Continue reading >
 
 
NEWS
Last chance to have your say
The Future of Work in the Legal Profession survey, a collaboration between the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, the Women Lawyers' Association of NSW and the Law Society of NSW, seeks to determine what we can do now to identify and address gendered inequalities in the future of work in the law. The survey closes at 5pm tomorrow, 28 September. Have your say to help us build a rewarding and sustainable profession. Begin survey.
Call for expressions of interest – Law Society Committees 2021 
Want to make a difference in the legal profession? Submit an expression of interest by 5pm on 1 October 2021 to join one of the Law Society’s Committees. Apply here.
Upcoming 2021-2022 Scheme year
For all private law practices with solicitor or life members: Each private law practice’s Scheme Co-ordinator principal would have received an email about the upcoming 2021-2022 Scheme year, which commences on 22 November 2021. Scheme Co-ordinators are asked to do two things.

1. By 30 September - please ensure their law practice, legal practitioner and Law Society membership details are up to date; and
2. From 6 October - make their law practice’s application for registration of participation in, or exemption from the Scheme via the online Scheme portal.

Our team is here to help you. Please call us on 02 9926 0189 if you have any questions when accessing the portal.
2021 Law Society Council Election – Voting
Solicitor members will be sent an email this week with an invitation to vote electronically in the 2021 Law Society Council election. The email includes a link to the electronic voting form. Twenty-five candidates have been nominated to fill seven positions on Council (each for a three-year term): Four Councillor Reserved Positions (City, Country, Corporate, Government) and three Councillor Unreserved Positions. Solicitor members can vote electronically or by submitting a completed voting paper, but are encouraged to vote online to ensure their vote is received before the ballot closes at 2.00pm (AEDT) on Monday, 25 October 2021. Enquiries should be directed to secretary@lawsociety.com.au.
Notice of Law Society 2021 Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of The Law Society of New South Wales will be held on Thursday 28 October 2021 at 4.30pm. See notice. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions on movement and gatherings and in the interests of public health and the safety of our members, the Annual General Meeting will be held as a virtual meeting rather than members attending in person at the Law Society building. Please refer to the Notice for information on how members can attend and participate in the meeting.
Do you need to fundamentally change your business model?
Customer experience (CX) suggests we must grow and develop our legal service delivery to meet the changing needs of clients, especially when interactions are limited to digital mediums. In next week's FLIP Buzzwords webcast, our experts discuss how to recreate the human touch online and translate it into engaged employees and clients. Find out more.
President’s Medal 2021: nominations close this Wednesday
If you know a NSW solicitor who has made a significant personal and professional contribution to the improvement of law and justice in the community, nominate them now for the Law Society of NSW President’s Medal 2021. Nominations close on Wednesday 29 September.
Charles Richard Xuereb oration
Professor Ian Hickie AM joins us for a special evening that pays tribute to the life and work of Charles Richard Xuereb. An internationally renowned researcher in clinical psychiatry, Professor Hickie will give a keynote presentation on navigating mental health in the COVID-19 era. Find out more.
Successful remote supervision
Supervision is integral to legal practice at all levels, and thanks to COVID-19, it has been thrust into the mainstream. At next month’s FLIP Conference, our esteemed panel will explore the supervisory relationship and how to use technology to stay connected and manage risk and wellbeing. Reserve your pass before early bird ends at midnight this Thursday for 10+ CPD, 15+ sessions and 50+ speakers for $199. Learn more.
Recording of the Edmund Barton lecture: the role of the Attorney General
Last week’s inaugural Edmund Barton Lecture saw NSW Attorney General the Hon. Mark Speakman SC MP, NSW District Court Judge and former NSW Attorney General the Hon. John Hatzistergos AM, and former NSW Attorney General the Hon. Gabrielle Upton MP explore the role of the Attorney General in Australia’s Westminster system of government. If you missed it, catch up with a free recording of the lecture here.
Finding your 'Third Space'
Working from home can blur the lines between our personal and professional lives, leaving us feeling worn out. In our first Mental Health Month webcast this October, Dr Jemma King will offer practical evidence-based strategies to help you effectively transition between work-life and home-life when working from home. Find out more.
NSW Bar Association – Managing Librarian
The New South Wales Bar Association seeks a legal librarian with managerial experience to manage its Library and small dedicated team of staff. You can read the job description and apply here. Applications close 12 October.
Access COVID-19 “fact or fiction” webinar with Dr Norman Swan
If you missed it, you can now view the recording of Dr Norman Swan’s session on Clearing confusion around COVID-19, where he talks all things from vaccinations to variants. Proudly brought to you by our Member Benefits partner, Bupa, this recording is available only until Friday 1 October. Watch now.
On the menu this week
This week, we're serving slow-cooked Tasmanian salmon fillet, chilli olive oil, and a rocket with pear and pecorino salad topped with red wine vinaigrette: a meal that travelled through the ages just to be devoured at your table. Order by 10am Tuesday for Friday delivery.
 
COVID-19 UPDATE
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NSW COVID-19 statistics
NSW recorded 787 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night from 93,577 tests. Sadly, 12 deaths were recorded in that same time period. Our thoughts are with their loved ones. NSW Health has reported that 19,184 vaccines were administered in the same time period. Across NSW, 85.5 per cent of the over-16 population has received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 60.1 per cent are fully vaccinated to 11.59pm on Saturday 25 September. More information on today’s statistics here.
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NSW unveils ‘roadmap to recovery’ at 80 per cent double dose
The roadmap for easing restrictions at the 80 per cent double dose target has been announced by the NSW Government this morning. From the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent (aged 16 and over) double dose vaccination target, eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to have up to 10 people visit their home, participate in community sport, and access hospitality venues (where drinking while standing up will be allowed indoors). All premises will operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors, and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the 80 per cent roadmap will also remove the limit of fully vaccinated guests for weddings and funerals, and remove customer caps for personal services such as hairdressers. Read the announcement here.
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Newcastle Courthouse closed following COVID-19 exposure
Newcastle Courthouse will be closed for cleaning today, Monday 27 September, due to a COVID-19 exposure. Please do not attend Newcastle Court today and instead contact the NSW Court Service Centre at nswcsc@justice.nsw.gov.au
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Update for Albury and Orange District Courts
Jury trials and in-person appearances have resumed in Orange District Court today. They will also resume in Albury District Court from Tuesday 5 October 2021.
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Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – Sydney registry
The Court has advised that a staff member who attended Sydney's Lionel Bowen Building last week has tested positive for COVID-19. The registry is closed until further notice and the building will be deep cleaned. Subpoena material stored in hard copy format will not be provided until further advised.
 
 
WHAT'S ON
President’s Medal 2021
Nominations close 29 September 2021
FLIP Buzzwords: Client Experience (CX)
7 October 2021
Managing WFH stress and finding your Third Space
7 October 2021
Charles Xuereb Oration: Navigating mental health during a lockdown
11 October 2021
Practice management course
11, 12 and 13 October 2021
Sexual harassment - changing workplace culture
12 October 2021
FLIP Conference 2021
13 October 2021
10th Annual Patron's Address
21 October 2021
Rural Issues Conference 2021
29 October 2021
LAWASIA 2021 Virtual Annual Conference
15 - 18 November 2021
NSW YOUNG LAWYERS
NSW REGIONAL LAW SOCIETIES
EVENTS CALENDAR
LAWINFORM CPD CALENDAR
 
 
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
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Reminder: cancellation of Certificates of Title and 100% eConveyancing – commencing 11 October 2021
The final mandate to 100% eConvenacing and abolition of CTs and the control of the right to deal (CoRD) framework commences 11 October 2021. See information from NSW Land Registry Services here, including practical information for upcoming transactions. See also the Office of the Registrar General’s website here.
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Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Amendment (Eligibility) Regulation 2021
An amending regulation was published, and commenced, on 24 September 2021, to clarify eligibility and the operation of the Regulation.
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eDuties Update
Revenue NSW has introduced an eDuties newsletter designed to help practitioners with submitting eDuties transactions. Topics for this edition: Common issues when lodging an application through eDuties, new features in eDuties, new application types and FAQ’s. Read more.
 
LEGAL UPDATES powered by LSJ
Evidence & succession
Treating Doctor Reports: retrospective mental capacity cases
By Hayley Bennett and Alisa Green >
Privilege
What junior solicitors wish you knew about privilege reviews
By Harry Stratton >
 
IN THE PRESS
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Commission statement on appointment of Chief Executive (FED) - The Australian Human Rights Commission
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