State Parliament approves Anti-corruption Commission
Victoria will have an Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) after the Legislative Council yesterday passed the Coalition Government's IBAC Bill and legislation to establish the Victorian Inspectorate to oversee IBAC. A Public Interest Monitor will also be established in Victoria, after Parliament also approved the Public Interest Monitor Bill 2011.

New Register Brings Big Changes
Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland has announced that the Personal Property Security Act 2009 (Cth) would begin on 30 January 2012. Any lawyer who draws up contracts of sale involving personal property will need to be aware of several important changes. The Act will change how security for payment is made, how businesses and individuals secure debts, claim retention of title and maintain priority over debts. The LIV plans to run seminars on the new legislation as part of its CPD program and announce these shortly, for further information visit Personal Properties Securities Register.

Processing Consent Orders Delays
The County Court of Victoria has advised the LIV that it is experiencing delays in processing consent orders. The Court is currently experiencing eight week delays in processing consent orders on the papers. The normal delay in processing orders on the papers is four weeks. The LIV has received reports from members of incidents where the dates in consent orders have passed before the order has been made. When preparing orders on the papers, practitioners are advised to allow for at least six weeks in which the first timetabling event is to occur.

New Commercial Arbitration Legislation
The Commercial Arbitration Act 2011 started operation on 17 November 2011. The new Act replaces the Commercial Arbitration Act 1984 with model legislation agreed to by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. The Act will provide businesses with better access to processes for the fair and final resolution of commercial disputes by impartial arbitral tribunals without unnecessary delay or expense. The Department of Justice will hold a seminar about the new Act on 30 November. To register, visit for the seminar program and booking form.

New Silks
Chief Justice Marilyn Warren this week announced 15 new Senior Counsel from a total of 86 applicants, of which 82 were male and four female. The Victorian Bar has also announced its 2011-2012 Council. The 21-person Council will be chaired by Melanie Sloss SC; Fiona McLeod SC will be senior vice-chair and William Alstergren junior vice-chair.

Changes to Form of Divorce Order
The Federal Magistrates Court and the Family Court of Australia are introducing minor changes to the form of divorce order that has been issued by the Court since 13 February 2010. Changes to the Divorce Order-Children, Divorce Order child not satisfied and Divorce Order where there is no child forms will take effect from 17 December 2011. If issues arise contact the National Enquiry Centre via email or ph 1300 352 000.

Victoria Law Foundation Announces Grants
The Coroners Court of Victoria and VCAT have been awarded $45,100 and $27,820 respectively by the Victoria Law Foundation for the development of interactive web projects. The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and Youthlaw also received grants.

New LIV Advocacy and Projects Webpage
The LIV has created a new LIV Advocacy and Projects web page dedicated to all advocacy and project work undertaken by the LIV on behalf of its members. Information on the page includes submission work, strategic lobbying campaigns, such as Legal Aid Matters, and projects such as the LIV's recently launched Disability Action Plan.

Habitat for Humanity
Members of the LIV Young Lawyers Section travelled to Buxton on 15 October to volunteer with the Habitat for Humanity's Brush With Kindness (BWK) project. The committee assisted with clearing fallen trees and new growth from a property affected by the Victorian bushfires. The group recently received a Certificate of Appreciation from BWK organiser Brian Finch.

• 30 November North East Law Association Xmas Drinks Wodonga
• 30 November Federation of Community Legal Centres Pro Bono Networking Event
• 30 November International aid panel Event with Tim Costello
• 30 November Commercial Arbitration Act Seminar
• 01 December Public Lecture on Indigenous Women's Rights
• 04 December Southern Solicitors Group Xmas Function
• 06 December Eastern Suburbs Law Association Xmas Dinner
• 06 December Legal Executives Annual General Meeting and Christmas Party
• 07 December Free Public Sentencing Forum
• 13 December Melbourne Catholic Lawyers' Association Christmas Mass and Drinks
• 14 December Northern Suburbs Law Association Xmas Dinner