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New Lawyers Encouraged to Go Bush
It was my privilege last night to preside over a function in the elegant Supreme Court library for new lawyers admitted between December last year and May 2011. Standing in for president Caroline Counsel, who is overseas, I was keen to tell the 200 mainly young lawyers of the many benefits of country practice as my own firm is based in Mildura. This was particularly timely as federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Law Council of Australia president Alexander Ward have just released an initiative aimed at attracting more lawyers to rural, regional and remote areas.
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Comment on my blog or contact me at LIVPresidentupdate@liv.asn.au. |
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Land Victoria Investigating New Fee Payment System
In late October, LIV members were advised that Land Victoria would defer banning cheques for land registration fees until mid-2011. Land Victoria is exploring a payment system which sends customers invoices that can be paid by credit card, debit from a pre-registered bank account, phone, BPAY or at Australia Post. It appears that payment by cheque will be permitted at Australia Post, excluding third party cheques. Members can provide feedback to lawyer Karen Cheng from the LIV's Property and Environmental Law Section at kcheng@liv.asn.au. Land Victoria has indicated that it will accept trust account and bank cheques until the new system is introduced.
ATLAS+ Updates Now Available Online
News on updates to Victoria Legal Aid's online portal for practitioners to lodge and track legal aid applications, extensions and invoices, ATLAS+, is now available online. The website contains information about receiving payments and processing new applications for grants of aid, extensions and invoices, a more responsive helpdesk, training support, data entry tip of the week and templates.
Improving Discovery in Federal Courts Addressed in New Report
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has released 27 recommendations for improving the process of discovery in federal courts. They are contained in the report Managing Discovery: Discovery of Documents in Federal Courts (ALRC Report 115, 2011), tabled in federal Parliament this week after a 10-month inquiry. Recommendations include the production and inspection of documents prior to discovery; when to file discovery plans; best-practice guidelines on discovery plans; judicial and practitioner training; the role of registrars and referees; costs orders; pre-trial oral examinations; and data collection. The report can be purchased from the ALRC or is free to download.
Groups Share $160,000 in Grants
The Victoria Law Foundation this week awarded just over $160,000 in its second General Grants round for 2010-11. This latest funding - designed to fund programs likely to benefit Victorians - has been awarded to six diverse organisations undertaking a range of innovative community projects, including the Eastern Community Legal Centre, Environmental Defenders Office, Footscray Community Legal Centre and Office of the Public Advocate. The next General Grants round will close on 14 September.
Comments Sought on National Classification Scheme Review
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has released an issues paper for its inquiry into the National Classification Scheme. The ALRC is investigating how effective federal, state and territory legislation and the intergovernmental agreement on censorship are in effectively classifying media content in Australia. The issues paper is available on the ALRC's website. CD-ROM copies can also be ordered from the ALRC. Online submissions addressing questions in the issues paper close on 15 July 2011.
Victorian Criminal Charge Book Updated
The Judicial College of Victoria has updated the Victorian Criminal Charge Book by publishing new bench notes and charges on child witnesses and unfavourable witnesses. These updates expand the charge book's coverage of evidentiary directions under the Evidence Act 2008 (Vic).
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Last Chance To Win An iPad2 Or $1000 Cash Back With Your Membership Renewal
You must renew your LIV membership now to continue to benefit from access to information, opportunities for career development and continued learning, practice support, management tools and more. Renew your membership online by 31 May for your chance to win an Apple iPad2. Pay by LIV American Express to win one of three $1000 credits on your LIV American Express card.
Capping Your Liability
The LIV's Limitation of Liability Scheme was introduced in 2010. LIV members qualifying under the scheme and the Professional Standards Act 2003 (Vic) can benefit by having their occupational liability capped at $2 million or $10 million, depending on the firm size, firm revenue and the firm's insurance policies. More information is available at ph 9607 9563 or lls@liv.asn.au.
Help Available to Solve Your Ethical Dilemma
Do you have an ethical dilemma? You can contact our Ethics Department to receive ethical advice over the phone or in writing. Ethics Department manager Donna Cooper is available on ph 9607 9336 or at dcooper@liv.asn.au, or you can visit online. It's another reason to renew your LIV membership.
Health Cover with the LIV
Join or switch your health insurance to Australian Unity and as an LIV member you'll receive a 7.5 per cent discount when you pay by direct debit. Visit the Australian Unity website or call 13 29 39, 8.30am to 8.30pm, Monday to Saturday, and be sure to mention you're an LIV member to take advantage of this offer. Australian Unity is an LIV Privileges partner - just one more way to get some of your tax-deductible membership fee back.
June in the LIJ
The June LIJ focuses on workplace relations. Several articles examine the impact of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and changes to federal and state government policies. Our news coverage features one LIV Council member's personal reasons for urging that more be done to fight mental illness in the profession - and the LIV initiatives available to lawyers. Look out for the hardcopy LIJ on your desk next week. The electronic version will be available online mid-month and an LIJ archive is also available online. |
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