Friday, 7 May 2021
Hearsay 09-2021
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.
Want to write for Ethos?
The Law Society is looking for new authors for our quarterly magazine, Ethos. We welcome contributions of articles and case notes on legal and practice issues relevant to the ACT legal profession. If you're interested, read our Author Guidelines for more information, or contact Nicole Karman at the Society on nicole.karman@actlawsociety.asn.au or 02 6274 0308. Read More +
Gallaghers no longer offering PII insurance in the ACT
The Law Society has been advised that Gallaghers will not be offering PII in the ACT from 1 July 2021. Their other insurance services are unaffected. Members based in the ACT will need to apply to Lawcover to ensure that they have PII in place well before 30 June 2021. Firms with interstate head offices should enquire with their local insurer about extending their cover to the ACT.
Gallaghers will continue to manage claims, and assist scheme members in whatever way possible, at least until 30 June. For information about this development, or claims issues, please contact Gavin Lee on gavin.lee@ajg.com.au.
Update from Military Law Committee
IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry: A new investigative body was created at the end of 2020 to examine the findings of the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry Report, including the establishment of the Office of the Special Investigator. The Hon Justice Mark Weinberg QC has been appointed as Special Investigator into alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan. Chris Moraitis PSM was appointed as Director-General, and Ross Barnett APM was appointed as the Director of Investigations. The Military Law Committee will continue to monitor the situation, particularly in respect of the impact on ACT veterans.
Courts update
The ACT’s two most senior judges have announced their retirement. Justice John Burns will retire on 31 August 2021. There will be a ceremonial sitting to mark his Honour’s retirement on Monday 30 August 2021. Chief Justice Helen Murrell will retire on 7 March 2022. A ceremonial sitting to mark Her Honour's retirement will be held on 7 March 2022.
At the ACT Magistrate's Court, Margaret Hunter has been reappointed as a Special Magistrate, and Dr Anthony Hopkins has been appointed as a new Special Magistrate. Both will serve for the period 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022.
Working with Vulnerable People cards: new expiry dates
In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registrations expiring on, or after, 16 March 2020 were extended. WWVP registration holders will receive correspondence confirming their new expiry date. Any of your staff with a registration card that expires from 16 March 2020 up to 20 August 2021, will have a letter that specifies their new expiry date and which confirms that they are registered. You can check the details of a person’s registration by sending an email to the WWVP team at wwvp@act.gov.au.
Extension of residential tenancy COVID-19 response measures
The Attorney-General has extended the residential tenancy COVID-19 post moratorium transitional response measures until 30 June 2021. Read More +
ACT legislation register survey
The ACT legislation register is an authorised electronic statute book that provides the community with free access to ACT legislation and related information. The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office is seeking your input to help identify where the register is meeting your needs and where the register could do more. The survey will be available until 5pm on Friday 14 May 2021 and will only take a few minutes to complete. Read More +