Evidence: Rules, Exceptions and Exclusions - The Honourable Geoffrey Bellew SC, 7th Floor, Garfield Barwick Chambers

The session will examine the overall scheme of the Evidence Act with particular emphasis on:

• the practical operation of rules such as the hearsay rule, the opinion rule and the credibility rule;
• exceptions to those rules; and
• the bases of exclusion of evidence in both civil and criminal proceedings. 

Ethics and evidence - Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Law Society of NSW

This session will focus on ethical evidence, and will cover:

• Officer of court obligations.
• Misleading evidence.
• Relationship with witnesses.

This session will focus on Evidence and due diligence, and will cover:

• The various AI Practice Notes.
• Data and file management/Record keeping.
• How to avoid complaints being made about you.

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 three (3) of the mandatory areas: (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; and (c) professional skills.

Hear from legal experts as they discuss some of the current issues faced by sole practitioners, and earn three CPD units.

Topics include: 

Navigating AUSTRAC’s starter program for legal practice – from unboxing to action – Carol Prasad, Professional Support Solicitor (AML), 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. 

Ethical and effective client communication – Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Law Society of NSW
Linden Barnes will provide an update on recent ethical issues relating to client communications, including:

• Courtesy.
• The no-contact rule.
• Proper instructions.
  
  

Managing 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.
  
  

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 three (3) of the mandatory areas: (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; and (c) professional skills.

Hear from legal experts in this live online course about how to develop new skills and thrive in your practice of law. Earn three CPD units.

Topics include:

Tips for selecting costs and fee models in a growing practice – 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.

Ethical issues that arise for a growing practice – Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Law Society of NSW

Linden will provide an update on recent ethical issues, focusing on issues that arise when a practice is growing, such as:

• Responsibility.
• Client conflicts.
• Confidentiality.

Skills that scale: Communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution – Anna Fischer, Wellbeing Manager, Law Society of NSW

Whether you are an established principal of a growing firm or an early career solicitor still learning the ropes, growing as a professional requires consistent development of your interpersonal skills. This session will address how to problem solve as both a leader and as a member of a team, how to confidently initiate and resolve conflict, and how to communicate in a way that promotes psychosocial safety in your workplace.

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.