The Law Council of Australia (LCA) Executive has resolved to refresh the Indigenous Legal Issues Committee and as such, the Society is seeking Expressions of Interest from legal practitioners who are interested in holding a position on the Committee.
For a number of years now, the Law Society Northern Territory (like many other organisations) has been subject to the pressure of continuing to undertake its operations in a tightening fiscal environment. These issues, which have been reported in its Annual Reports over recent years, have resulted in a gradual but steady reduction in resources available to the Society to undertake its work including both its regulatory functions and providing member services.
On 1 September 2021, the Family Court of Australia (FCoA) and Federal Circuit Court of Australia (FCC) will be amalgamated to create the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). Division 1 of the FCFCOA will deal only with family law matters, while Division 2 will deal with both family law and general federal law matters.
The Courts have released a series of updates for the legal profession and the public to advise them of changes to court operations. This fourth update provides additional information that primarily relates to the family law jurisdiction of the FCFCOA, specifically in regard to the new harmonised Rules, the Courts’ Central Practice Direction, and the new case management pathway in family law proceedings.
Australia is now at the stage of the Covid 19 pandemic where a number of vaccines have been developed and made available. Australia is not yet at the stage where supply has outstripped demand, but inevitably we will reach that stage. Then, Australia may be left with the position where individuals may decide not to take the vaccine as has occurred in other jurisdictions. How to treat this group of citizens will raise questions concerning the power of Government, the balancing of that power against individual liberties and action any compulsions by Government, whether it will be left to employers to fill the vacuum by mandating that employees be vaccinated.
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has been asked to consider “whether, and if so what, reforms to the laws relating to impartiality and bias as they apply to the federal judiciary are necessary and desirable”. As part of this Inquiry the ALRC would like to obtain information directly from lawyers.
Please be advised that in light of the lockdown, Employee Assistance Services Australia (EASA) Darwin and Alice Springs remains open for telehealth services only. As an essential service, EASA will continue to operate to support clients through these challenging times. Operating hours have not changed and EASA remains reachable on the following contacts:
Due the extended lockdown period announced yesterday, the Law Society NT’s office will be closed until 1pm, Friday 2 July (at this time) in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions. If your matter is urgent, you can still telephone (08) 8981 5104 or email staff.
The Law Society NT office is closed until Wednesday 30 June (at this time) in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions. If your matter is urgent, we can still be contacted by telephone on (08) 8981 5104 and staff can be contacted via email.
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in partnership with the Australian National University invites you to attend the launch of True Justice Deep Listening: Indigenous Perspectives and Deep Listening on Country.
DCLS invites all past and present members, volunteers and service users to share success stories and anecdotes of their interaction with our service over the years.