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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
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Helping the profession to flourish in 2023
Welcome to 2023. I hope you were able to take some time away from the office and enjoy the company of your friends and family.
I am honoured to be the custodian of The Law Society of New South Wales as President for 2023. My connection with the Society runs from my admission as a solicitor in 2010, becoming the Young Lawyer's representative for the Clarence River & Coffs Harbour Law Society and leading the regional law society in roles including Vice President, President and Co-President until the end of last year. Continue reading >
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NEWS
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Seeking early and mid-career lawyers
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The Law Society of NSW is seeking NSW-based early and/or mid-career lawyers who work in various practice areas and organisations to participate in online focus groups.
The focus groups are part of a research project called Designing Gender Equality into the Future of Work, which is funded by the Australian Research Council's Linkage Scheme. Read more. |
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Volunteer Registrations now open for the 2023 Mock Law Competitions
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Volunteer registrations are now open to take part in the 2023 Mock Trial and Mock Mediation Competitions. An integral part of the Law Society’s community legal education projects since 1981, the Mock Law program is an excellent opportunity to increase public awareness of the legal process, connect with the wider community, and support future members of the legal profession. If you are interested in taking part as a Magistrate, Adjudicator or Script Writer, find out more and register here. |
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REMINDER: SAVE THE DATE – Mentoring Program for 2023
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Applications for the Law Society’s 2023 Mentoring Program will open on 31 January. To join as a mentor or mentee, please submit your Expression of Interest here.
For more information, please visit our website. |
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Survey: Climate change and civil legal need
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A new national survey is looking at how climate change is shaping civil legal need in the Australian context, and the role of the Legal Assistance Sector in responding to that need. The Climate Change, Legal Need & the Australian Legal Assistance Sector survey is seeking input from lawyers and allied staff who work with, or volunteer in, the Legal Assistance Sector. Survey closes 28 February. |
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Specialist Accreditation | Expressions of Interest for Board and Advisory Committee placements
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The Specialist Accreditation Program is calling for expressions of interest from practitioners interested in sitting on the Specialist Accreditation Board, or the 2024 Advisory Committees.
Board placements are applicable from April 2023, and Advisory Committee placements are applicable from September 2023 within the areas of Personal Injury, Family Law, Employment & Industrial Law, Planning & Environment Law, Immigration Law, Dispute Resolution and Public Law.
Submit your expressions of interest before 31 January 2023. |
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WHAT'S ON
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Opening of Law Term Dinner
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Wednesday 1 February 2023
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Embracing hybrid work: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar
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Wednesday 1 February 2023
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Working with interpreters – live webinar
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Thursday 2 February 2023
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PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
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Revenue NSW - First Home Buyer Choice
First home buyers can now opt in to First Home Buyer Choice (FHBC) without paying upfront transfer duty on eligible purchases. For information about the general and retrospective application processes see Applying for First Home Buyer Choice. For other information on FHBC, including off the plan purchase eligibility, foreign surcharge implications and residence requirements see the Revenue NSW website.
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Sunset of temporary COVID-19 Witnessing Arrangements for Statutory Declarations
The temporary arrangements put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic in section 18(2) of the Oaths Act 1900 sunsetted on 1 January 2023.
This means that, from 1 January 2023, the arrangements for who may witness statutory declarations in NSW that existed prior to the temporary arrangements have resumed, namely the following:
- Legal practitioners
- Justices of the Peace
- Notaries public
- Other persons specifically named in the Oaths Act 1900.
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New Legal Aid NSW policies for funding Independent Children’s Lawyers
The Legal Aid NSW Board has introduced new policies for funding Independent Children’s Lawyers in family law proceedings. Historically, Legal Aid NSW has provided funding for an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) where a court makes an order for the independent representation of a child’s interests in Commonwealth family law matters. However, the number of orders for ICL appointments has increased significantly in recent years and this increase has not been matched by an increase in funding. The new policies will manage demand for ICLs while ensuring the best interests of children in our most vulnerable families are protected in family law proceedings. The policies for funding ICLs apply from 9th January 2023. See Policy Bulletin 2023 No. 1 for details of the policy.
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LEGAL UPDATES powered by LSJ
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CONSUMER LAW
Consumer Data Right – opportunity or risk?
By Debbie Smith >
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PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE AND TECHNOLOGY
Building trust Part 2: Establishing trust in online and hybrid team settings
By Justine Rogers and Anthony Song >
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