Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by civil litigators, and earn four CPD units.

Topics include:

Case update – Raphael Hudson, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers

In this session, Raphael Hudson will focus on two key areas relevant to civil litigators: 

• Recent developments in disclosure and discovery.
• The power of the Court to restrain practitioners from acting in conflict of interest.  
  
  

Ethics for civil litigators – Paul Monaghan, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Law Society of NSW 

This session will examine core ethical issues and practical examples in the area of civil law. The presentation will focus on:

• An overview of the ethical and regulatory frameworks for legal practice.
• Duties to the Court, the client and the profession in this context.
• Meeting ethical obligations in regard to AI.
• Managing new ethical issues relating to AML.
  
  

Compliance requirements for costs – Nick Satouris, Professional Support Solicitor, Law Society of NSW

The content covered in this session will include:

• Providing proper cost disclosure, and exceptions to cost disclosure.
• The consequences of failing to properly disclose.
• The benefits of entering into a cost agreement with the client and the different types of cost agreements.
• Cost disputes.
• Cost recovery, including cost assessments.
• A discussion on proper billing practices.
  
  

Negotiation skills for dispute resolution – Louise Edmonds, Special Counsel, Carter Newell

 This session will offer guidance on dispute resolution options, and how to develop the negotiation skills to best implement them. It will cover:

• Negotiation skills for use in dispute resolution, including in mediation, conciliation and arbitration.
• Case studies – ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ in the world of dispute resolution.
• Takeaways for practitioners in present day practice – remote practice, artificial intelligence and communication.
  
  

Practitioners should inform themselves of Rule 6.1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 which sets out the requirements for the four (4) mandatory CPD areas for NSW legal practitioners – (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law.  It is the responsibility of each legal practitioner to self-assess as to whether a particular educational activity extends their knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to their practice needs or professional development. If so, then the practitioner may claim one (1) “unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included.

If you self-assess that this particular educational activity extends your knowledge and skills, this program may allow you to claim four (4) of the mandatory areas: (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law.

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by practitioners in commercial law, while earning four CPD units. Topics include:

Commercial law case update – Anita Thompson, Partner, Allens

Legal ethics in commercial litigation – Nick Satouris, Professional Support Solicitor, Law Society of NSW
This session on ethics will include the applicability of the Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules for practitioners working in commercial litigation.

Navigating AUSTRAC’s starter program for legal practice – from unboxing to action – Carol Prasad, Professional Support Solicitor, Law Society of NSW
AUSTRAC’s new Starter Program is designed to help legal practitioners meet their anti-money laundering/counter terrorism financing (AML/CTF) obligations. This presentation explores how the Legal Practice Starter Program will guide practitioners through risk assessment, client due diligence, an AML/CTF program and other key obligations. Attendees will gain practical insights into what to expect from the Starter Program, how to prepare their practices, and the critical first steps towards a compliant and resilient profession.

Practice tips for dispute resolution – Simone Rees, Co-Founder and Principal, Buchanan Rees Dispute Lawyers

This seminar offers a practical overview of dispute resolution options from early case management and ADR to arbitration and litigation. It highlights the key features of each process and the expectation to consider the overriding purpose when managing disputes.

The session focuses on choosing the most appropriate pathway based on client objectives, urgency, complexity, and cost while looking at some emerging trends in dispute resolution practice.

Practitioners should inform themselves of Rule 6.1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 which sets out the requirements for the four (4) mandatory CPD areas for NSW legal practitioners – (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law.  It is the responsibility of each legal practitioner to self-assess as to whether a particular educational activity extends their knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to their practice needs or professional development. If so, then the practitioner may claim one (1) “unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included.

If you self-assess that this particular educational activity extends your knowledge and skills, this program may allow you to claim four (4) of the mandatory areas: (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law.

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by criminal lawyers, and earn four CPD units.

Topics will include:

Instructing counsel – Trudie Cameron, Principal Lawyer, Practice Leader – NSW & ACT, Armstrong Legal

While instructing counsel is something criminal practitioners all do regularly, there is no specific process and practices vary widely. In this session, Trudie Cameron will cover the ins and outs of instructing counsel, with the aim of improving the experience for the solicitor, barrister and client alike.

This talk will cover topics including:

• Selecting the right counsel for the matter, the client and yourself.
• Letters of instruction.
• The brief to counsel.
• Proofs of evidence and defence material.
• Managing the relationship on an ongoing basis.
• Costs.
• Common feedback from counsel.

The session will also be supplemented by a useful briefing checklist and template letter of instruction to assist practitioners moving forward.

A year in review: Case update – Manny Conditsis, Director, Conditsis Lawyers

The topics covered in this session will include: 

• Recent sexual assault communication privilege cases. 
• The proposed statutory review of the sexual consent reforms introduced by the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Consent Reforms) Act 2021. 
• ICOs for Federal offenders. 
• Sentencing juvenile offenders for ‘adult-like’ conduct. 
• Sentencing principles. 
• The UK AI predictive offences scheme. 

Legal ethics for criminal lawyers – Paul Monaghan, Senior Ethics Solicitor, The Law Society of NSW

This session will present common scenarios in the area of criminal law, with a focus on:

• An overview of the ethical and regulatory frameworks for legal practice.
• Duties to the Court, the client and the profession in this context.
• Meeting ethical obligations in regard to AI.
• Managing new ethical issues relating to AML.

Courtroom advocacy: The world of the Local Court – Matthew Ward, Partner, Morrisons

Advocacy, the art of persuasion, is one of the core skills for any criminal lawyer. The Local Court can be a fast paced and high volume jurisdiction, where advocates need to be persuasive, but also efficient.

This session aims to provide solicitors with an approach to advocacy in the Local Court, including practical tips for the continual improvement of advocacy skills.

Key topics covered in this session will be:

• A framework for approaching advocacy in the Local Court.
• The elements of preparation.
• Practising to perform.
• Tips to improve your advocacy over time.

Practitioners should inform themselves of Rule 6.1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 which sets out the requirements for the four (4) mandatory CPD areas for NSW legal practitioners – (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law.  It is the responsibility of each legal practitioner to self-assess as to whether a particular educational activity extends their knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to their practice needs or professional development. If so, then the practitioner may claim one (1) “unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included.

If you self-assess that this particular educational activity extends your knowledge and skills, this program may allow you to claim four (4) of the mandatory areas: (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law.

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.