/eNews/ff/PresImage_MichaelHolcroft?width=126&height=163) |
/eNews/ff/presidentsblog?width=479&height=29)
Practitioners urged to familiarise themselves with new invoice and payment system for Land Victoria
Practitioners should be aware that a new on-line invoice and payment system for the Department of Sustainability and Environment is due to be phased in over the next couple of months. Following lobbying by the LIV and consultation with Land Victoria, we are pleased to advise that cheques will still be accepted at Australia Post.
READ MORE…
Comment on my blog or contact me at presidentpa@liv.asn.au. |
/eNews/ff/backtotop?width=83&height=14) |
/eNews/ff/latest_news?width=141&height=19) |
| |
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) Appointments
Andrew Guy has been appointed the new VLA Chair. Mr Guy has over 40 years of legal and management experience, including as Arthur Robinson and Hedderwicks (now Allens Arthur Robinson) managing partner. He replaces John Howie. Catherine McGovern has also been appointed to the VLA board. She is the general manager, Government and Public Affairs, at Medibank Private and a board member of Melbourne Citymission. For further information, visit Premier of Victoria website.
New Commonwealth Family Law Guidelines
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) has announced that new family law eligibility guidelines will apply from 1 November 2011. Under the new guidelines, VLA will give priority to adults who face serious issues that affect their children. The guidelines also expand the use of Appropriate Dispute Resolution. Family lawyers who take on legally aided work have been notified individually and are invited to take part in a briefing session at VLA's Lionel Murphy Centre from 4pm to 5pm on 19 October 2011. More information.
Red Crest Case Management System Launched
The Supreme Court of Victoria has launched its pilot of new case management system RedCrest, in the Technology, Engineering and Construction List (TEC List). More information.
Tarwirri Tests Concept of Racial Vilification
Tarwirri - the Indigenous Law Students and Lawyers Association of Victoria - said the case of Pat Eatock and eight others against Andrew Bolt and the Herald and Weekly Times brought in the Federal Court of Australia to test the concept of racial vilification was an important win for Aboriginal people across the nation. Tarwirri supported the case along with a pro bono legal team from Holding Redlich and barristers Ron Merkel QC, Herman Borenstein SC, Phoebe Knowles and Claire Harris. More information (pdf).
Sentencing Severity Report
The Sentencing Advisory Council Sentencing Severity for 'Serious' and 'Significant' Offences: A Statistical Report offers a statistical context for the Council's current work on baseline sentences. The analysis involved producing an offence seriousness rank based on current sentencing practices for all serious and significant offences as defined in the Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic). The analysis then compared the seriousness ranking of the offences with rankings based on the offences' statutory maxima. The report found the rank of offences based on sentencing practices largely conformed with the rank based on maximum penalties. To view the report, visit Sentencing Advisory Council website.
New Chapters Added to Criminal Charge Book
The Judicial College of Victoria has advised that new chapters on Voluntariness, Accident and Intoxication have been added to the Criminal Charge Book. Minor revisions have also been made to the Assessing Witnesses and Common Law Self-Defence and Defensive Homicide chapters. To view the changes visit the Judicial college of Victoria website.
Expressions of interest - Law practice management and supervision
The Legal Services Board (LSB) seeks expressions of interest from lawyers who wish to join a panel of supervisors and/or managers who may be appointed to law practices in circumstances justifying external interventions to law practices. These roles may be suitable for practitioners who have practice management experience with extra capacity in their daily affairs to devote a proportion of their time to the management or supervision of another law practice. The Act allows the Board to pay the reasonable fees of a manager or supervisor where those expenses are not met by the practice itself. More information. |
| |
|
/eNews/ff/YourLIV?width=101&height=23) |
/eNews/ff/FFactsYourLIV?width=624&height=80)
CPD For The Organised Professional
All your CPD is available in the October program. Update your skills with a single seminar, forum or conference, attend a three-hour intensive mode of essential skills or choose a one or three-hour intensive mode of substantive law in criminal, commercial or succession law. View the program online or in the October LIJ. You can also purchase CPD Prepaid by 31 October.
LIJ on Twitter
Running out of time to read the monthly LIJ? A smart solution could be to catch up with the LIJ while on the move. Join us on Twitter to stay informed and ahead - and you will be the first to get the LIJ every month with sneak peeks of feature articles and much more. So next time you are on the tram or train, log on to Twitter and join the conversation @theLIJ. Sometimes leaders choose to follow. Follow the LIJ on Twitter @theLIJ.
Nominations for LIV Council Close Next Week
All full LIV members are eligible to stand for election to Council, to vote and to attend the Annual General Meeting. Nominations close 5pm on Wednesday, 5 October 2011. More information and to download a nomination form visit the LIV website.
Your Single Number For Practice Support
Practice support is only a phone call away. You can call the LIV on phone 9607 9378 between 9am and 1pm weekdays to receive guidance on practice support issues relating to family law, property law, commercial law and succession law. Guidance is also available for all practitioners wanting information on buying, setting-up, merging or selling a practice, choosing a practice structure, trust accounting, LIV forms and precedents. Guidance on ethics advice, the limitation of liability scheme, practising certificates and HR is also available online.
The perfect time to dust off your runners
With six weeks left until the annual LIV Legal Fun Run and Walk, dust off your running shoes and hit the Tan Track. Join over 1000 fellow legal practitioners in the 8km run or 4km walk which is again this year followed by our famous gourmet BBQ. In addition to helping yourself, you can also help others as the LIV has teamed up with Everyday Hero to enable you to raise funds for your favourite charity. Fundraise as part of a group, with your firm or as an individual.
Focusing on Human Rights this October
Solicitors practising in International Law and/or Human Rights and Administrative Law are in for a double treat next month. In partnership with the Australian Red Cross, LIV is holding the International Humanitarian Forum (6 & 20 October) covering a range of topical issues. On 28 October, the annual Human Rights and Administrative Law Conference will discuss the implications of a proposed statutory cause of action for privacy in Australia and Victoria as well as explore indigenous issues, among other topics. More information.
Meditation and the Practice of Law
This introductory session will provide participants with all the information needed to introduce mindfulness meditation practices into their daily lives. The sessions will also provide a forum for ongoing monthly meetings for those who are interested in applying a meditative perspective to the practice of law. Attendees of this introductory practical session may also be interested in the Mindfulness Stress Management series of workshops held on Tuesdays at the LIV. |
| |
|
/eNews/ff/Community?width=197&height=23) |
|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
|