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Hearsay 01-2021

Friday, 15 January 2021

Hearsay 01-2021

Hearsay is the Law Society's fortnightly e-newsletter, sent out to all members. Reproduced here is the news section of Hearsay — other sections have been omitted. 

Areas of Practice

Members may have noticed that when searching for a member on our website, areas of practice are now listed against individuals as well as firms. If you would like to update your own areas of practice, simply log in to your member dashboard, and click on "My details" in the left hand menu. You can then review and update your details as required. 

Please note that the areas of practice list is not exhaustive, and represents only those search terms most often requested by members of the public. Members should only select those areas of law they have specific expertise in. Read More +

Legal Aid Review Committees

The Law Society would like to extend our congratulations to Briony Martin of Proton Legal, who will continue her role as a member of the Australian legal practitioners panel for Legal Aid Review Committees, and to the two new members of the panel, Rahul Bedi of Maliganis Edwards Johnson, and Paul Edmonds of Paul Edmonds & Associates.

National Action Plan to Reduce Sexual Harassment in the Australian Legal Profession

Eliminating sexual harassment in the legal profession is part of the Law Council’s long-running commitment to inclusion and diversity in the legal profession. Heralding the start of a united and coordinated process to address the issue, they have released the National Action Plan to Reduce Sexual Harassment in the Australian Legal Profession (NAP).

The NAP is aimed at addressing the regulatory and cultural change factors necessary to facilitate better experiences for legal professionals, and includes measures that the legal profession can implement to drive cultural change. Read More +

Courts Updates

  • Therapeutic Care Court: An information session (in person or via on-line option) on the implementation of the Therapeutic Care Court is being held by the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday 20 January 2021 at 4pm. To register, please contact Susan Little on Susan.Little@courts.act.gov.au.
  • Criminal Case Conferences: Practitioners are advised that next blocks of criminal case conferences are the weeks commencing 8 and 15 February 2021. Matters will be listed for criminal case conferences in accordance with Practice Direction 2 of 2018 and wilI be listed for criminal call over on 1 March 2021 if they have not received a trial date.

Lighthouse Project

The Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia are committed to the protection of vulnerable parties and children in family law proceedings. The Lighthouse Project will play a central role in the Courts’ response to cases which may involve family violence, by shaping the allocation of resources and urgency given to such cases. The Project will improve the safety of litigants who may have experienced family violence and children who may have experienced associated risks such as child abuse. Read More +

Registered Migration Agents

Legislation will commence on 22 March 2021 that will remove holders of unrestricted legal practising certificates (ULPCs) from the statutory scheme governing registered migration agents. Holders of ULPCs will no longer be able to register with the OMARA, but will be able to give immigration assistance without OMARA registration, and will be regulated solely by their own state or territory legal professional bodies.

Holders of restricted legal practising certificates (RLPCs) may continue to be registered as migration agents for an eligible period of two years following the commencement of the legislation. If you hold a RLPC, you will be required to be registered as a migration agent to give immigration assistance unless you are doing so under the supervision of a practitioner who holds an ULPC. Read More +