In this session Jenica Lim-Young will discuss key cases and recent developments in the area of medical negligence. The presentation will cover topics such as updates and issues relating to expert evidence, section 50 of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), damages and limitation periods.

This session was recorded during the Specialist Accreditation Conference 2023.

This session was recorded on 20 March 2025 as part of the Civil litigators: Mandatory Rule 6.1 – live webinar

Developments in evidence law – Carmel Lee, Barrister, Greenway Chambers

In this session, learn about recent developments in evidence law and their application to civil litigation.

This presentation will undertake an analysis of key changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) by the Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (Cth), which came into force on 6 May 2023.  The session will cover the concept of joint or sole parental decision making, the changes to the legislative pathway, the meaning and application of the term ‘safety’, and the test of ‘unacceptable risk’. It will touch upon the possible impact on the changes referrable to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and on the role of Independent Children’s Lawyers. Analysis of these changes will focus on the ability to rely on past authorities, and on what can be gleaned from early decisions after 6 May 2023 and from overseas jurisdictions.

This session was recorded as part of the Specialist Accreditation Conference 2024.

Spec Acc Conf 2024 - Family 

A session to assist criminal defence lawyers in identifying torts committed by police – with a focus on First Nations populations in RRR communities.

This session was recorded on Friday, 11 October 2024 as part of the Rural and Private Practice stream at the Annual Conference 2024.

In this session, Kieran Smark SC will discuss the topic of defamation law in the context of search engine results. He will summarise the facts and decisions of four recent cases; Google Inc v Duffy [2017] SASCFC 130, Trkulja v Google LLC [2018] HCA 25, Google LLC v Defteros [2022] HCA 27 and Duffy v Google [2023] SASC 13. Kieran will consider the implications of these judgments and will also examine the current proposals for legislative reform.

This session was recorded during the Specialist Accreditation Conference 2023.

DISTRESSING CONTENT 

Viewers are advised that this course may contain details that some may find distressing. Please review the course description and use your discretion before proceeding. 

If you are in distress, the Solicitor Outreach Service (1800 592 296) and Lifeline (13 11 14) offer 24/7 counselling support. If you are concerned for your safety or that of someone else, please contact the Police or call 000 for emergency assistance. 

This session was recorded on 27 March 2025 as part of the Crucial pointers in contract law: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar.

Damages for breach of contract and wasted expenditure – Ourania Konstantinidis, Partner, Dentons

This session will cover the High Court’s recent decision in Cessnock City Council v 123 259 932 P/L dealing with the appropriate measure of damages for breach of contract. We will dive into:

• A snapshot of historical cases on damages and how the High Court arrived at the landmark decision.
• The High Court’s guidance on reliance damages for breach of contract with a particular focus on wasted expenditure and the recently established ‘facilitation principle’.
• How the courts will approach disputes involving damages incurred in reliance on contractual promises.
• Important practical strategies as to how you can manage risk when drafting contracts or advising your clients.

Ourania Konstantinidis, Partner, Dentons

This session will look at how the evolution of cybercrime has brought business risks around data into sharp focus.  It will lift the veil on the trends, data breaches, claims, government responses and regulatory reforms, and their impact on businesses in general, and law practices in particular.

This session was recorded as part of the Specialist Accreditation Conference 2024.

Michael Williams, a leading light in the field of intellectual property (IP) in Australia, will discuss the current issues affecting the application of IP legislation to copyright, trade marks and patents. A key focus of this session will be the treatment of AI under IP law.

This session was recorded as part of the Specialist Accreditation Conference 2024.

The Motor Accidents Injuries Act 2017 (NSW) was introduced to overhaul the compulsory third-party compensation scheme in NSW and continues to be reviewed and refined, including several statutory changes that came into effect in April this year. As the scheme matures, Peter Hunt will discuss trends evident in Court and Commission decision-making relating to liability, quantum and judicial review.

This session was recorded during the Specialist Accreditation Conference 2023.

• How extensive are the Commonwealth’s powers to deprive a person of his or her citizenship under the naturalisation and aliens power? 
• To what extent can the legislature modify the rules of procedural fairness applicable in a court without the law being unconstitutional? 
• Is a law requiring a court to order the detention or supervision of convicted thief, after his sentence has expired, incompatible with the court’s role as a repository of federal jurisdiction? 
• To what extent does the Kable principle continue to have force?
• Do State laws prohibiting publication of children’s names, or prohibiting publication of footage obtained from surveillance devices, impose an unjustified burden upon the implied constitutional freedom of communication on political and government matters? 
• Were harsh State drug laws which were disproportionately used to charge indigenous people, inconsistent with the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)?

Constitutional law

This session will examine the “Aged Care System” and the function and common failings of aged care contracts for incoming residents, including considerations when negotiating and entering an aged care contract. Furthermore, presenter Rodney Lewis will discuss issues that practitioners need to turn their minds to when a client is entering into aged care.  This will include the status of any will, advance, or other estate planning documents, and any other steps or measures required in relation to the payment of aged care fees.

This session was recorded during the Specialist Accreditation Conference 2023.