This session was recorded on 27 February 2024 as part of the Key knowledge and skills for family lawyers: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by family lawyers legal practitioners, while earning four CPD units.

Topics include:

Effective drafting in family law matters, with reference to understanding requirements under the amended Family Law Act – Stephene Tully, Barrister, 6 St James Hall Chambers

The Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (Cth) (passed 19 October 2023), among other changes, repealed the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, expanded the definition of member of the family, simplified compliance and enforcement provisions, and ensured that children’s voices are heard in international child abduction cases. This session will: 

• provide an overview of the substantive changes recently effected to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth);
• assess their impact upon precedent letters and documents (eg parenting plans, orders and advices) to ensure that those changes are incorporated; and 
• offer practical drafting suggestions for practitioners when formulating templates which comprehensively and accurately address the legislative issues.   

Legal ethics – Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Professional Support Unit, The Law Society of NSW

In this session Linden Barnes will consider fulfilling ethical and professional responsibilities when practising in family law. 

Case law - year in review – Craig Nicol, Editor, The Family Law Book & Keleigh Robinson Co-Editor, The Family Law Book

In this session Craig Nicol & Keleigh Robinson will review notable family law cases from 2023, with a discussion of key takeaways from these cases and how they may be applied to day-to-day practice.

Wellbeing – Simonette Vaja, Wellbeing Manager, The Law Society of NSW

This session will provide an overview of optimal habits for high performing lawyers, including: 

• Mental Agility – Growth Mindset
• Evidence based best practice habits for mental wellbeing
• Mental Fitness with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction 

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.

• Mental Agility – Growth Mindset 
• Evidence based best practice habits for mental wellbeing 
• Mental Fitness with Mindfulness 
• Based Stress Reduction

This session was recorded on 20 February 2024 as part of the Practice essentials for government lawyers: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar.

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by government lawyers legal practitioners, while earning four CPD units.

Topics include:

Briefing counsel – Bianca Gallifuoco, Barrister, Level 22 Chambers

An introductory session for recently admitted lawyers or those new to briefing counsel. By the end of the session participants will:

• Understand the different roles in the relationship between instructing solicitor and counsel
• Be able to brief and instruct counsel effectively to get the most out of the engagement
• Know how to compile a counsel brief with a good working structure

Legal ethics – Paul Monaghan, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Professional Support Unit, The Law Society of NSW

In this session Paul Monaghan will consider fulfilling ethical and professional responsibilities when practising as a government solicitor. 

Review of recent administrative law cases – Thomas Kwok, Partner, Holding Redlich

Administrative law is at the core of what government lawyers do. This session will bring you up to speed with the latest in administrative law. Case examples may be from areas outside your ‘home’ legislation, but are selected for their general relevance to administrative decision-making.

Wellbeing for government lawyers – Simonette Vaja, Wellbeing Manager, The Law Society of NSW

This session will provide an overview of optimal habits for high performing lawyers, including: 

• Mental Agility – Growth Mindset
• Evidence based best practice habits for mental wellbeing
• Mental Fitness with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction 

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.

Topics include: 

Communicating effectively with non-lawyers, including decision makers – Ali Dibbenhall, Head of Legal, Asia Pacific, LexisNexis 

Transform legal advice into clear, compelling communications. In this 1-hour workshop for in-house counsel, learn proven techniques to actively listen, tailor your style for any audience, craft crisp written communications, and handle sensitive conversations. Whether you're new or seasoned, gain confidence in communicating legal risks and recommendations effectively to business stakeholders.

Ethical issues for corporate lawyers – Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Professional Support Unit, The Law Society of NSW 

In this session Linden Barnes will examine fulfilling professional responsibilities and ethical obligations when practicing in-house. 

Privacy and data management for in-house lawyers – Amber Cerny, Partner, EY, Ernst & Young

In this session Amber Cerny will examine privacy requirements and obligations around managing client, customer and stakeholder data, as well as best practice systems and processes to ensure ongoing compliance. 

The fundamentals of workplace investigations in Australia – Paula Hoctor, Principal and Workplace Investigator, QWorkplace Lawyers 

• This session will focus on the regulatory framework for investigations in Australia. Participants attending this session will:  
• Gain an insight into the regulation of workplace investigations, including recent developments in legislation and case law;  
• Understand the fundamentals of a procedurally fair investigation and appropriate confidentiality; and 
• Be aware of the duty to provide a safe system of work and how in practice, this impacts the conduct of an investigation.  

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.