This session was recorded on 20 March 2024 as part of the Key developments and skills for civil litigators: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar

Electronic witnessing and execution of legal instruments – Tim Masters, Senior Associate, Piper Alderman 

This session will cover the current legislative requirements for electronic execution and remote witnessing of legal documents such as wills, enduring powers of attorney, appointments of enduring guardian, affidavits, statutory declarations, deeds and contracts. 

In this session you will learn:

• The impact of legislation created under Covid-19 on the changes to practices of electronic signing and remote witnessing.
• The relevant sections of the Electronic Transactions Act 2000 (NSW) and the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) with respect to electronic execution in NSW, and the interaction of those sections with execution requirements set out under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
• Acceptable forms of “Remote witnessing” and practices that should be avoided.
• Legislative differences between NSW and other jurisdictions and the differing requirements for electronic signing and remote witnessing for commonly encountered legal documents such as wills and deeds.

This session was recorded on 12 March 2024 as part of the Elder law, wills and probate: One day intensive – live webinar.

Estate planning for blended families – Paul Evans, Partner, Makinson d’Apice Lawyers

Blended families, where one or both spouses have children from a prior relationship are today increasingly common. Inevitably, with a blended family situation, there will be a multitude of competing needs and obligations. Skillful estate planning can address those needs and obligations and as far as possible keep conflict within the family to a minimum. 

The presentation will examine types of blended families, provide an understanding of how to tackle your clients' objectives, and the potential for family provision claims. It will also cover possible strategies to include: 

• Outright gifts
•  Mutual wills contracts 
•  Life interests and rights to reside 
•  Superannuation and family trusts 

Packed courtrooms, high-pressure negotiations, and constant client interaction - the legal profession often seems exclusively made for extroverts. But what about introverted lawyers who find their energy drained by social situations and excel in focused research and analysis?

This session will offer:

• Practical advice and inspiring stories from successful introverted lawyers.
• Insights on how to leverage strengths while navigating the extroverted world of law and could be a valuable resource for law students, lawyers, and anyone considering a legal career who might worry that their personality doesn't fit the mould.
• How do you drive performance if you manage an introverted team?
• Because law is noted for its adversarial approach, competition, and assertive work ethic, what if you don’t find yourself in-step with that mindset?
• Practical tips and tricks to deal with imposter syndrome while making your way through a legal career—and can it ever leave?

Please note that not all questions asked by the live audience are clearly audible.

This session was recorded on Thursday 10 October 2024 as part of the Annual Conference 2024.

Mei Gong, Senior Associate, Johnson Winter Slattery

Mara Lejins, Solicitor, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions NSW

(Moderator) Henry Ea, Content Specialist, The Law Society of NSW

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This session was recorded on 27 March 2024 as part of the Unfair contracts - the new penalties: Mandatory rule 6.1 - live webinar.

Good drafting and compliance with the changes to unfair contracts law – Kathleen Morris, Barrister, Level 22 Chambers

On 9 November 2022 the Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Act 2022 (Cth) came into effect, which expanded and reformed the unfair contract terms regimes applying under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) and Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth). Those amendments included the introduction of a new civil penalty regime prohibiting the use of, and reliance on, unfair contract terms by businesses, which came into operation from 9 November 2023. The amendments also broadened the definition of “small business” and clarified matters to be taken into account when assessing whether a contract is a “standard form contract”. This session considers those legislative changes and steps that can be taken to ensure compliance with the unfair contract terms regime. 

This session was recorded on 12 June 2024 as part of the Key considerations for settlements: Mandatory rule 6.1 - live webinar.

Many negotiations involve a ‘haggle’, predominantly over money. This session examines the haggle from the perspective of clients and representatives, and also from interveners such as mediators. It defines its predictable features, consider how it can be improved and explains what to look for when the haggle becomes sticky. In this session you will learn to:

• Prepare for and commence haggle negotiations
• Manage the dynamics of the process
• Respond to tactics and scan for underlying interests
• Link client choices to broader goals and find justifications for outcomes

In a rapidly evolving world, the legal profession faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities driven by technological advancements and emerging areas of law. From legal technology to specialised areas such as defense and space law, we delve into how professionals are forging new paths to meet the demands of an increasingly complex global environment. This session explores unconventional career pathways within law, emphasising how creativity, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration are reshaping the future of legal practice. 

This session was recorded on Friday, 11 October 2024 as part of the Early Career Lawyers stream at the Annual Conference 2024.