This session was recorded on 29 August 2025 as part of the Specialist Accreditation Conference 2025.

Recent reforms have consequential impacts for the Fair Work Commission, with further changes forthcoming. This session will address the implementation of three major pieces of legislation: the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 and the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Acts 2023 (No1) 2023 and 2024 (No2). The Commissioner will deal with key changes implemented and on the horizon including the right to disconnect, a new definition of casual employee, changes to enterprise agreement approval assessments, Protected Action Ballot Order conferences, intractable bargaining declarations, workplace determinations and other changes within the Commission’s expanded jurisdiction.

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

ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke Mandatory Climate Reporting: Building Successful and Resilient Corporations

For legal teams—both in-house and external—now is the time to upskill in climate literacy. The introduction of mandatory sustainability reporting and climate-related financial disclosure marks a shift in the intersection of climate-related financial issues and business. Joe Longo, the Chair of ASIC, said “This shift to mandatory climate-related disclosure presents the biggest change to corporate reporting in a generation”. 

Understanding how climate-related risks and opportunities may be relevant to a range of clients and stakeholders, the nuances of the climate disclosure requirements and how businesses can navigate climate-related risks and opportunities, will help ensure compliance with reporting obligations.    

For lawyers, an understanding of this evolving intersection and foundational climate literacy will be an invaluable skill. 

Hear about these issues, with an insightful session led by the following speakers: 

• ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke, whose portfolio includes climate reporting. 
• Tim Stutt and Mark Smyth, partners at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, and Co-Chairs of the Law Society’s Climate Change Working Group, who will facilitate the session. 

From 1 July 2024 amendments to the Crimes Act 1900 will come into force, making coercive control a criminal offence in NSW. The new criminal offence applies when a person uses abusive behaviours towards a current or former intimate partner with the intention to coerce or control them.

Join Jane Sanders, Principal Solicitor at The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre, for a conversation with Dr Hannah Tonkin, Women's Safety Commissioner, as they discuss coercive control in its NSW legal context, including the background to the amendments, the elements of the offence, the roadmap for review and how the NSW offence compares to other jurisdictions. 

This webinar will be complimentary to members, so register now to secure your spot.

This session will provide a comprehensive update of recent amendments to NSW Duties and Land Tax legislation, including the recent Budget announcements, as well as recent cases. This will include surcharge purchaser duty and surcharge land tax changes, the change in beneficial ownership provisions and the approaching principal place of residence exemption changes. A special focus will be paid to the exemption on the transfer of primary production property between family members, including the recent enhancements that Revenue NSW has made. 

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

This session was recorded on 25 February 2025 as part of the 2025 In-House Corporate Lawyers Forums.

In today's digital age, social media platforms have become a double-edged sword, offering unprecedented opportunities for communication while also posing significant legal risks.

We explore the complex landscape of defamation in the context of social media, highlighting why it is crucial for in-house and government lawyers to stay vigilant, with a panel of 3 experts and a moderator from the Law Society.

Judge Judith Gibson, District Court of NSW
Larina Alick, Executive Counsel, Nine Publishing and Australian Community Media
Gina McWilliams, Senior Legal Counsel, News Corp Australia
Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Professional Support Unit, Law Society of NSW

This session was recorded on 21 November 2023 as part of the In-House Corporate Lawyers Forum.

Join us for an insightful session looking at the recent changes to the Competition and Consumer Act which has redefined penalties, shifting them from a mere ‘slap on the wrists’ to something with teeth. Our expert speaker, Scott Alden, Partner at HWL Ebsworth will discuss the implications of these changes and you will gain valuable insights into the changing legal landscape.

Scott Alden, Partner, HWL Ebsworth

Since 2015 the Indigenous Procurement Policy has generated $9.5 billion in contracting opportunities for Indigenous Businesses. Indigenous Businesses play a vital role in Indigenous Australian economic participation and wellbeing. Indigenous Business joint ventures offer unique opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Business growth, cultural exchange, and social impact. This session will explore the essentials of Indigenous Business, including joint venture structuring, incorporation, governance, and compliance with Supply Nation requirements. Discover how to navigate Supply Nation registration and certification, connecting your business to opportunities and networks. Learn how you can empower Indigenous enterprises and foster economic growth.

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

This recorded webinar was originally captured during the Specialist Accreditation conference 2021 - Wills & Estates stream. 

This session covers the following issues:

• The problems created for Indigenous people (including the burgeoning Indigenous middle class) by the mainstream succession law
• New intestacy provisions for Indigenous people in NSW
• Drafting culturally appropriate wills - tips and traps

This session will look at what is necessary, in an electronic age, to constitute an informal will, and considers what constitutes a “document”. Presenter Anthea Kennedy will also consider the importance of the deceased’s intentions when considering an informal document, the role of computer experts in cases when determining the existence of a will, and the part played by interim and stop gap wills.  In examining these issues, the session will focus on relevant legislation and recent Court decisions.

 This session was recorded during the Specialist Accreditation Conference 2023.

This session was recorded on 28 August 2025 as part of the Specialist Accreditation Conference 2025.

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT

Viewers are advised that various Conference sessions contain graphic details that some may find distressing, including but not limited to references to sexual offences, PTSD and violence. Please review the program and use your discretion before proceeding.
 
If you have experienced sexual assault, domestic or family violence and require assistance, please contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) to speak with a counsellor from the National Sexual Assault and Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service. 

If you are in distress, the Solicitor Outreach Service (1800 592 296) and Lifeline (13 11 14) offer 24/7 counselling support. 

In this session, Raoul Wilson SC will consider both inter vivos and testamentary trusts from a probate litigator’s perspective. The session will cover estate objectives, administration considerations and the susceptibility of inter vivos and testamentary trusts to attack in probate and equity cases.

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

Spec Acc Conf 2024 - Wills and Estates