The Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09

The Law Society Of The Australian Capital Territory Annual Report 2008-09

Contents Annual General Meeting - Notice of Meeting ...... 4 Minutes of previous Annual General Meeting ...... 5 Offi ce Bearers, Councillors, Staff ...... 7 President’s Report ...... 8 Committee Membership & Reports Access to Justice ...... 10 ACT Pro Bono Clearing House ...... 10 Alternate Dispute Resolution ...... 11 Children’s and Mental Health ...... 11 Church ...... 11 Civil Litigation ...... 12 Commercial & Business Law ...... 12 Complaints ...... 12 Continuing Legal Education ...... 13 Criminal Law ...... 14 Equal Opportunities in the Law ...... 14 Family Law ...... 15 Functions & Law Week ...... 16 Industrial Relations ...... 16 Legal Profession Act & Ethics ...... 17 Practice Management ...... 17 Property Law ...... 17 Young Lawyers ...... 18

Treasurer’s Report ...... 19 Financial Statements as at 30 June 2009 ...... 20

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 3 NOTICE CONVENING THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held on Thursday, 24 September 2009 commencing at 12.30pm Level 2, Novotel, 65 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City

Business

1. To receive the Annual Report 2. To receive the Audited Financial Statements 3. To declare the results of the election of offi ce-bearers for the ensuing year 4. To appoint an auditor 5. To consider general business

Members Lunch will follow the Annual General Meeting at the same venue.

For catering purposes please register your attendance to Ms Yvette De Paoli at the Society by email [email protected] or phone (02) 6247 5700.

L Vardanega Secretary

27 August 2009

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 4 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY held in the Molonglo Room, Canberra Club, Canberra City, ON THURSDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2008 AT 5.00PM

Present: Sarah Avery, Lou Baker, Trevor Barker, Michaela Barlow, Rod Barnett, Kay Barralet, Bradley Beesley, Ben Biddington, Angus Bucknell, John Bundock, Greg Burnett, John Buxton, Chris Chenoweth, Ted Clancy, Robert Coen, Edward Corbett, Linda Crebbin, Chris Donohue, Phillip Davey, Julie Duce, Deborah Dwyer, Terry Dwyer, Emmanuel Ezekiel-Hart, Michael Flynn, Tony Foley, Andrew Freer, Michelle Friesen, Ron Friesen, James Gralton, Neill Grant, Owen Harris, Christine Harvey, Brian Hatch, Walter Hawkins, William Heague, Peter Ho, Martin Hockridge, Gavin Howard, Shane Jones, Thena Kyprianou, Fred Lester, Rod MacDonald, Jill McSpedden, Theresa MIskle, Jason Moffett, Richard Nesbitt, Athol Opas, Russell Patrick, Michael Phelps, Mark Popplewell, Shane Quinn, Bill Redpath, Margaret Reid, Pam Robertson, Andrew Roberts, Darren Russell, Paul Salinas, Mark Slater, Mark Tigwell, Paul Vane-Tempest, Ross Watch, Anthony Williamson.

In attendance: Messrs King and MacArthur, and Mss Sims, Campbell and di Paoli.

1. APOLOGIES: Mss Rachel Bird, Carolyn Power, Barbara Campbell, Amber Sullivan, Louise Vardanega, Loretta Zamprogno and Messrs Ian Campbell, Graeme Finlayson, Brian Worth, Andrew Crockett, Brian Tetlow, Tim Sharman, David Butler, Bill Coombes, David Mitchell, Matt O’Brien, Greg Walker, Ian Gillespie-Jones, Chanaka Bandarage and Don Malcolmson.

2. MINUTES The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 20 September 2007 were circulated to all members as part of the Annual Report.

It was resolved (Hatch/Watch) that the Minutes be accepted.

3. PRESIDENT’S REPORT The President’s report was circulated to all members as part of the Annual Report. Copies available upon request. The President highlighted a number of points, including: • the establishment of the consolidated ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT), noting that the Disciplinary Tribunal will be part of ACAT. He said former Law Society Councillor and Treasurer, Ms Linda Crebbin and a former ACT Attorney-General, Mr Bill Stefaniak, had been appointed presidential members. He said that approaches have been made to the Department of Justice and Community Safety to ensure that those members currently sitting on the Disciplinary Tribunal will continue in that position until any new appointments are made. • Costs disclosure and trust account provisions in the Legal Profession Act 2006 commenced on 1 October 2007. The President said the Society has prepared standard costs documents for modifi cation and use by practitioners. Mr Redpath noted that within the last 12 months, there have been a number of judicial appointments with little or no consultation with the profession. In response, Mr Barnett said that the Society supported the appointment of Ms Crebbin to ACAT and believed that Mr Stefaniak would discharge his duties in an exemplary manner. It was resolved (Watch/Hatch) that the President’s report be accepted.

4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The 2007-08 Financial Statements were circulated to all members as part of the Annual Report. It was resolved (Hatch/Watch) that the 2007-08 Financial Statements be accepted.

5. ELECTION OF COUNCIL The Executive Director noted that the Returning Offi cers appointed by Council, Mr Trevor Barker and Mr Robert Reis, had reported to the Society on the results of the election. The Executive Director announced the results as follows: 1,320 members were eligible to vote – 400 votes were received with 3 being invalid and 397 being valid or partially valid. President: Mr Rod Barnett Vice Presidents: Mr Athol Opas Mr Brian Hatch Secretary: Ms Louise Vardanega Treasurer: Mr Bill Coombes ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 5 Councillors: Ms Kay Barralet Mr Ben Biddington Mr Ian Campbell Mr Chris Donohue Mr Martin Hockridge Mr Don Malcolmson Mr Matt O’Brien Mr Paul Robertson Ms Amber Sullivan Mr Paul Vane-Tempest It was resolved (Watch/Hatch) that the Returning Offi cers’ report be accepted. It was also resolved (Hatch/Roberts) that the ballot papers for the 2008-09 Annual General Election be destroyed pursuant to Clause 17 of the Society’s Constitution. Mr Barnett congratulated the successful candidates. He noted that Ms Vardanega had been returned for a successive 21st year. The President thanked Ms Reece for her contribution to Council. He thanked those members who stood for election unsuccessfully and moved a vote of thanks to the Returning Offi cers. This was carried by acclamation.

6. APPOINTMENT OF AN AUDITOR Members noted that Duesburys Nexia has indicated their willingness to accept appointment for 2008-09.

It was resolved (Hatch/Biddington) that Duesburys Nexia be appointed as the Auditors for 2008-09.

7. OTHER BUSINESS 7.1 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development. The President reminded members that a Members’ Forum had been held on 7 August 2008 to discuss this issue. Following the Forum the Council resolved to put the matter before members at the AGM and to that end a Discussion Paper was prepared and posted on the Society’s website and attention was drawn to it in the Notice to Members convening the AGM. The Notice to Members stated that members would be asked to vote on the following resolution: “That a mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) scheme, consistent with the national Guidelines, should be introduced in the ACT. The mandatory CPD scheme should not commence until 1 July 2010 at the earliest”.

Following considerable discussion Mr Hatch moved that the motion be put. Mr Roberts seconded this motion. When it was pointed out that the motion as set out in the Notice paper had not formally been moved Mr Hatch formally moved that motion. He was again seconded by Mr Roberts. Following further discussion Mr Hatch, seconded by Mr Roberts, again moved that the motion be put. The Chairman refused to put the original motion on the grounds that there were other members who still wished to comment of the issue. In the absence of a motion of dissent from the Chairman’s ruling discussion continued.

Mr Redpath moved the following amendment to the original motion:

“That the original motion be prefaced by the following words - “Despite the empirical evidence that such schemes have no value and will be an imposition on our members, the AGM resolves …”.

This was seconded by Mr Donohue Following discussion Mr Corbett moved “that the preamble as moved by Mr Redpath not be accepted.” This was seconded by Ms Harvey. After some discussion including the exercise by Mr Redpath of his right of reply, the President put Mr Corbett’s motion which was carried. The President then put Mr Hatch’s original motion.. This was carried on a show of hands by a margin of 35 for to 21 against.

Mr Redpath moved the following motion: “That the Council be asked to consider the practical implementation of a mandatory CPD scheme in the Territory following which another general meeting of members be held to approve the arrangements”. This was seconded by Mr Hatch. The President put this motion which was carried unanimously. The President thanked the members for their careful consideration and vigorous discussion of this issue.

7.2 Vale Mr Tony Allport. Mr Rod MacDonald reported that Mr Allport had passed away and should be recognised for his signifi cant contribution to the profession. Mr Chenoweth said that it is appropriate that members express their sorrow at the passing of a very long standing Queanbeyan practitioner, and that this be recorded in the Minutes.

8. CLOSE OF BUSINESS The meeting closed at 6.04pm.

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 6 Offi ce Bearers 2008 - 09

President: Mr Rod Barnett (Rod J Barnett) Vice President: Mr Athol Opas (DEEWR) Vice President: Mr Brian Hatch (Pamela Coward Higgins Lawyers) Secretary: Ms Louise Vardanega (Australian Government Solicitor) Treasurer: Mr Bill Coombes (formerly of Pamela Coward Higgins Lawyers) Executive Member: Ms Kay Barralet (Mazengarb Barralet Family Lawyers) Immediate Past President: Mr Greg Walker (Trinity Law)

Council Members 2008 - 09 Mr Ben Biddington (O’Connor Harris) Commander Ian Campbell (Department of Defence) Mr Chris Donohue (Donohue & Co.) Mr Martin Hockridge (Legal Aid ACT) Mr Don Malcolmson (Don Malcolmson) Mr Matt O’Brien (Legal Aid ACT) Mr Paul Robertson (formally of Moray & Agnew) Ms Amber Sullivan (Australian Government Solicitor) Mr Paul Vane-Tempest (Blake Dawson)

Society Secretariat 2008 - 09 Executive Director: Mr Larry King Professional Standards Director: Mr Rob Reis Accountant: Mr Stewart MacArthur Executive Secretary: Ms Debbie Sims Member Services Offi cer: Ms Yvette De Paoli Committee Administrator: Mrs Jan Dutton (until September 2008) & Ms Jocelyn Campbell (from September 2008) Bookkeeper: Mrs Kathleen Lui Complaints Secretary: Mrs Linda Mackay Project Offi cer: Ms Jo Clay (until September 2008) & Ms Catherine Hodge (from November 2008) Receptionist: Ms Jocelyn Campbell (until September 2008) & Ms Robyn Guilfoyle (from January 2009)

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 7 President’s Report 2008-09 COAGC Reform Project I was initially encouraged by Pro Bono Clearing House should we cease to be a theth establishment of the COAG profession and become a mere “legal services TaskforceTa to review the Legal industry”. ProfessionPr Regulations. The SoSociety strongly supports the The Global Economic Recession simplifi cation of the present laws and the development We appear to have weathered the worst of the crisis, of an effi cient mechanism to render them uniform touch wood. This Society was the fi rst to act decisively across Australia. Since 1 July 2006 the Society, its when the Commonwealth government announced its members and their clients have been labouring under deposit guarantee would be capped at $1 million. We the burden of the mammoth Legal Profession Act 2006. arranged an emergency provision for fi rms to “park” The 648 pages of that Act and Regulations compare excess trust monies in the Statutory Deposits Account. unfavourably with the 180 page Legal Practitioners A number of fi rms had recourse to the scheme. Act 1970 which it replaced. It is complex, diffi cult to Fortunately in the end, the Government saw the wisdom navigate and leaves no area of professional life of the Law Council’s lobbying and extended the untouched. It is not a user friendly tool for either the guarantee to all funds in solicitors’ trust accounts. consumer or the lawyer. I am however concerned at recent statements by the The Courts Taskforce’s Chairman, Mr Roger Wilkins AO. I am The public controversy over the proper resourcing of the particularly concerned at his comments reported in the administration of justice in the ACT is to be lamented. Financial Review on Friday 28 August 2009 which, I Lists are lengthening, reserved judgments are late understand, repeated the tenor of his recent speech and such Government initiated changes as the way to the Law Society of New South Wales. It seems to “vulnerable witnesses” are to be handled and the new me that the focus is back on consumer protection as committal rules have all made the job of the courts opposed to simplifi cation. It is diffi cult to see where more diffi cult. Like all areas of public and, indeed, one of the most regulated areas of the economy can private administration no doubt there is room for be further regulated in view of the immensity of the improvement in the productivity of the courts. But it current model legislation. More concerning however is is unlikely that marginal increases in effi ciency will Mr Wilkins’ message that: overcome the principal requirement – the need for a 5th • lawyers are perceived as unethical, overpaid and Supreme Court judge. As this report goes to print that motivated primarily by greed and appears to be an unlikely short term prospect. I accept • accordingly there is a need to restore the that. But the Attorney and Canberrans in general must profession’s reputation in the light of its central also expect lists to lengthen and reserved judgments to importance to the rule of law, and be further delayed. • therefore what is needed is a national regulator Court Security, particularly in the Magistrates Court, to whom all regulatory powers currently continues to be an issue which the Society is working exercised by the professional associations are on. We have not given up on trying to secure for our transferred. members a method by which they can avoid multiple I would be dismayed if a popular stereotype based on exposures to the metal detection devices. We are also “conventional wisdom”, lawyer jokes and barbeque working with Corrective Services on facilitating access conversations was to be used as the policy foundation to the AMC. for withdrawing from the profession any role in its I am pleased to have been consulted by the Attorney- own regulation. I hope Mr Wilkins is merely being General in his search for a Magistrate to replace provocative to stimulate responses. recently-retired Magistrate Shane Madden. I am also pleased to see the judicial appointment process Pro Bono Clearing House becoming more open. There is a missing element and The Pro Bono Clearing House goes from strength to that is an independent process for fi ltering applicants. strength. See Administrator Debbie Sims’ report on That may come in time. its activities throughout the year elsewhere in this document. In 2009 so far we have assisted 25 people ACAT from 41 applications. We expect to get to 60 refer- The year saw the establishment of the ACT Civil and rals by year’s end. I worry what will happen to the Administrative Tribunal under General President Linda

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 8 Crebbin. The Tribunal has had some teething problems laundering/counter-terrorism fi nancing law, the and is not yet in its permanent home on Moore Street, problems of remote rural and regional practice, the Civic. I am in the process of establishing a protocol proper funding of legal aid and the Bill of Rights with the President in respect of reserved judgments. consultation. The Society has been involved with the establishment of the ACAT every step of the way. Government Lawyers With the help of our newly established Government MCPD Lawyers Committee we are increasing our activities Mandatory Continuing Professional Development was and services for solicitors in government service who embraced (by a small majority) of members at the now represent a fair proportion of our membership. In AGM in 2008. As I write this we are preparing for a addition to greater attendance by government lawyers special General Meeting of members which the AGM to our general access functions and CPD seminars, resolved should be held to settle the fi ne details of special initiatives include the publication of Government how the scheme will run in the ACT, in conformity with Lawyers Update and a special Government Lawyers the national guidelines. I think most of our members Forum and networking events. accept this as a necessary part of our professional responsibilities. Milestones The long standing Chairman of the Complaints Professional Conduct Rules Committee, Graeme Finlayson, has gone into semi- The Law Council of Australia is redrafting its mod- retirement. On behalf of the Canberra community, el conduct rules. I have established a number of whom he has served so well for so long, I thank him committees, in addition to the Legal Profession Act and for his outstanding contribution over the years. I also Ethics Committee which is keeping a close watch on express members’ best wishes to Michael Peedom who the project, to review the drafts prepared by the LCA’s has retired as President of the ACT AAT. Reference Group. This may be the last chance for the profession to revise its rules before they pass into the And now the end is near and so I face my fi nal benign control of the Commonwealth Government. curtain. With words made famous by the late, great Frank Submissions and Representations Sinatra ringing in my ears I prepare to leave the stage. The year has been a busy one as the Society has continued It has been a great privilege being your President to lobby for good law as well as in the interests of its for the last two years. I believe much has been members. In the property area, stand out items include accomplished but I am prepared to let others judge our efforts to convince government to provide an on-line that. I deeply appreciate the wonderful support I have stamp duty facility similar to New South Wales; had from the Council, the Executive Committee, the concessional leases; Unit Titles; the application staff of the Secretariat and the many members who of the Land Acquisition Act (Cth) and the Leases have proffered mainly useful advice over the last 24 (Commercial and Retail) Act. In the area of criminal months. It would be remiss of me if I did not record a law issues have included reviews of the Bail Act, the debt of gratitude to our Executive Director, Larry King Coroners Act, the defi nition of murder, new protections for his unfl inching support and good humour in times of for “vulnerable witnesses” and new committal rules. In stress throughout my period as President. I leave the civil law the Society is helping the Government repair post confi dent that the Society will prosper with our the damaged Powers of Attorney Act while seeking new President Athol Opas at the helm. rational change to the Road Transport (CTP) Act 2008 and participating in the review of the Workers Compensation Act 1951. In addition there have been adjustments to the Legal Profession Act which have benefi ted members by making some formerly complicated provisions a little easieerr ttoo ccomplyomply wwith.ith. OOtherther ssubmissionsubmissions ccoveredovered ssuchuch ddiverseiverse ssubjectsubjects aass AAATAT Rod J. Barnett TTaxationaxation ofof Costs,Costs, NADRACNADRAC EEnquirynquiry iintonto AAlternativelternative President DDisputeispute RResolutionesolution iinn CCivilivil PProceedings,roceedings, IImplementationmplementation ofof tthehe LLatimeratimer HHouseouse PPrinciples,rinciples, SSARPARP Legislation,Legislation, aandnd MMagistrate’sagistrate’s CCourtourt AAct,ct, ppowersowers aandnd cchangeshanges ttoo iindictablendictable ooffences.ffences. AAtt tthehe nnationalational llevelevel thethe SocietySociety has been involved along with the Law Council in such issues as anti-money

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 9 Committee Memberships and Reports LLarryarry KKinging ACCESS TO JUSTICE JJonon LLovellovell Greg Walker (Chair) GGavinavin MMcKenziecKenzie ((OperationalOperational SSecondee)econdee) Andrew Crockett SSvetlanavetlana TTodoroskiodoroski Judy Harrison KKatherineatherine UUrbanskirbanski Martin Hockridge CChrishris WWheelerheeler Jaleh Johannessen JJoo WWrightright ((PolicyPolicy SSecondee)econdee) Ric Lucas SSteveteve WWhybrowhybrow Don Malcolmson DDebbieebbie SSimsims ((ExecutiveExecutive SSecretary)ecretary) Peter Quinton Liz O’Brien TThehe AACTCT LLawaw SSocietyociety PProro BBonoono CClearinglearing HHouseouse ccontinuesontinues Gary Tamsitt ttoo ggrowrow aandnd iiss nnowow iinn iitsts 55thth yyearear ooff ooperation.peration. AAss aatt 1100 Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) AAugustugust 22009009 4411 nnewew aapplicationspplications hhadad bbeeneen rreceived.eceived. TThishis ccomparesompares ttoo 3344 rreceivedeceived aatt tthehe ssameame ttimeime iinn 22008.008. 3939 werewere TThehe CCommittee,ommittee, aalthoughlthough adad hoc,hoc, hadhad notnot convenedconvened forfor ffromrom iindividualsndividuals aandnd 2 werewere fromfrom organisations.organisations. OfOf thethe 4141 4 yearsyears ppriorrior ttoo mmeetingeeting iinn MMarch,arch, 22009009 ttoo ddiscussiscuss tthehe aapplications,pplications, 2255 wwereere ssuccessfullyuccessfully rreferredeferred ooutut ttoo fi rrmsms aandnd iimplementationsmplementations ofof tthehe LLatimeratimer HHouseouse PPrinciples.rinciples. TThehe 1166 wwereere uunsuccessfulnsuccessful bbecauseecause ttheyhey diddid notnot havehave reasonablereasonable CCommitteeommittee mademade a submissionsubmission toto thethe StandingStanding CommitteeCommittee onon pprospectsrospects ofof success,success, diddid notnot meetmeet thethe meansmeans testtest eligibilityeligibility AAdministrationdministration aandnd PProcedurerocedure ooff tthehe LLegislativeegislative AAssemblyssembly ccriteriariteria oorr ddidid nnotot hhaveave a llegalegal iissue.ssue. ooff tthehe AACTCT tthathat thethe preservationpreservation ofof thethe LatimerLatimer HouseHouse TThehe SSecondeeecondee SSystem:ystem: tthehe CClearinglearing HHouseouse hhasas ttwowo PPrinciplesrinciples rrequiresequires vvigilanceigilance aandnd tthereforeherefore aagreesgrees tthathat ssecondeesecondees providedprovided byby thethe largelarge fi rmsrms ttoo aassistssist wwithith tthehe rregularegular rrevieweview iiss aappropriate.ppropriate. aadministrationdministration ooff tthehe ClearingClearing House.House. TheThe OperationalOperational AAnn aavenuevenue ooff cconcernoncern ooff tthehe CCommitteeommittee iiss tthehe LLawaw SSociety’society’s SSecondeeecondee hhasas rresponsibilityesponsibility fforor tthehe iinitialnitial iinterviewingnterviewing ooff PProro BBonoono CClearinglearing HHouseouse SSchemecheme aandnd tthehe nneedeed ttoo eencouragencourage aapplicants,pplicants, aattendingttending AAssessmentssessment PPanelanel mmeetingseetings aandnd iinvolvementnvolvement inin thethe SchemeScheme byby AACTCT fi rrms.ms. ffollowing-upollowing-up wwithith fi rrms.ms. TThehe PPolicyolicy ssecondeeecondee ttakesakes oonn a TThehe AACTCT hhasas a uniqueunique situationsituation ofof beingbeing a relativelyrelatively smallsmall mmoreore policy/strategicpolicy/strategic rroleole ssuchuch aass gatheringgathering informationinformation oonn ppoolool wwherehere cconflonfl iictscts aarere a pproblem.roblem. AAssistancessistance ffromrom FFamilyamily ssuccessfuluccessful rreferrals,eferrals, ffeedbackeedback ffromrom aapplicantspplicants aandnd fi rmsrms ttoo LLawaw FFirmsirms iiss pparticularlyarticularly ssort.ort. eenablenable thethe developmentdevelopment ofof thethe programprogram andand enhancingenhancing thethe TThehe CCommitteeommittee iiss ddraftingrafting a rreporteport ttoo AACTCT AAttorneyttorney pprofirofi lele ofof thethe CClearinglearing HHouse.ouse. GGeneraleneral aandnd CChiefhief MinisterMinister aboutabout thethe needneed forfor anan ACTACT RReferraleferral Firms:Firms: TheThe ManagementManagement CommitteeCommittee notednoted thethe ggovernmentovernment initiatedinitiated iinquirynquiry iintonto aaccessccess ttoo jjusticeustice iinn tthehe AACT.CT. ddeclineecline iinn fi rrmsms aacceptingccepting rreferralseferrals ffromrom tthehe CClearinglearing HHouse.ouse. TThehe CCommitteeommittee iiss alsoalso consideringconsidering thethe LitigationLitigation AssistanceAssistance RReasonseasons ggiveniven iincludenclude nnoo ccapacityapacity aatt tthehe ppresentresent ttime,ime, nnoo FFund.und. llongeronger a solicitorsolicitor workingworking inin thethe particularparticular ofof areaarea ofof lawlaw I extendextend mymy thanksthanks ttoo aallll tthehe CCommitteeommittee fforor ttheirheir ssoughtought aandnd cconflonfl ictsicts ofof iinterest.nterest. TThehe CClearinglearing HHouseouse wwillill ccontributionontribution aandnd oongoingngoing ssupport.upport. ccontinueontinue ttoo eencouragencourage pparticipationarticipation bbyy mmoreore fi rms.rms. FFamilyamily LLaw:aw: TThehe MManagementanagement CCommitteeommittee aalsolso nnotedoted tthehe GGregreg WWalkeralker ((Chair)Chair) eextremelyxtremely ssmallmall nnumberumber ooff ffamilyamily llawaw fi rrmsms wwillingilling ttoo aacceptccept rreferralseferrals ffromrom tthehe CClearinglearing HHouse.ouse. TheThe CommitteeCommittee notednoted tthathat ssomeome ffamilyamily llawaw mmattersatters aarere ccomplicatedomplicated aandnd ccanan ddragrag AACTCT PPRORO BBONOONO CLEARINGCLEARING HHOUSEOUSE oon.n. BecauseBecause ofof thisthis notnot manymany fi rrmsms wwouldould bbee wwillingilling ttoo aacceptccept GGeoffeoff AAdamsdams ssuchuch mmattersatters oonn a ddeferredeferred ppaymentayment bbasis.asis. IItt wwasas ssuggesteduggested RRodod BBarnettarnett tthathat a ssuitorsuitors ffundund bbee rrevisitedevisited ttoo aassistssist wwithith ddisbursements.isbursements. GGenevieveenevieve BBoltonolton NNationalational PProfessionalrofessional IIndemnityndemnity IInsurancensurance SScheme:cheme: TheThe AAndrewndrew CrockettCrockett NNationalational PProro BBonoono RResourceesource CCentreentre iinn NNewew SSouthouth WWalesales JJamesames DDunnunn hhasas setset upup thethe schemescheme inin anan efforteffort toto crosscross thethe hurdlehurdle ofof SSuzanneuzanne FalviFalvi ggettingetting ggovernmentovernment llawyersawyers ttakingaking oonn pproro bbonoono wwork.ork. TThehe KKatyaty GGrimesrimes MManagementanagement CCommitteeommittee aagreedgreed tthathat thethe ACTACT ProPro BonoBono AAnnanna HHaynesaynes CClearinglearing HHouseouse wwouldould wwriterite ttoo tthehe NNationalational PProro BBonoono NNinaina HHicksicks RResourceesource CentreCentre seekingseeking toto bebe includedincluded inin thethe NationalNational PIIPII CCatherineatherine HodgeHodge SScheme.cheme. TheThe CCommitteeommittee wwereere ooff tthehe vviewiew tthathat tthishis mmayay bbee a ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 10 mmeanseans ooff iincreasingncreasing tthehe nnumberumber ofof referees.referees. The new Children’s and Young Persons Act 2008 Act has been progressively enacted, an Act of some 800 plus pages and DDebbieebbie SSimsims ((ACTACT LLawaw SSociety)ociety) referring to numerous other acts. The preparation for and opening of the new Children’s Centre, Bimberri at Gungahlin has been a real success. ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION There has been developing debate in terms of much needed Uwe Boettcher (Chair) secure and open residential mental health facilities, for Graeme Blank children, youth and adults. On top of this is an increasing Greg Brackenreg concern in regard to the lack of crisis and medium term beds Robert Clynes for youth at risk. Michael Flynn The Legal Aids Offi ce (ACT) decision to not increase rates Graeme Gunn to privately employed solicitors in children’s and mental Stephen Herrick health matters deserves note. Given the most signifi cant and Kim Lackenby complicated changes to legislation, this will unduly impact on Nithya Sambasivam the ability of private practitioners to take on matters in these Katrina Spyrides very needy areas. Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) The Committee is currently responding to issues such as what The ADR Committee was reconvened on 20 April 2009, seems to be an infl exible approach by ACT Policing to arrest largely for the purposes of allowing the Society to comment young people rather than releasing them to bail. The lack on the NADRAC inquiry into alternate dispute resolution. of residential options seems to be part of every meetings agenda, not to mention the interpretation and The Committee considered the mediation guidelines for implementation of the new Act. legal practitioners and resolved that the requirement that a mediator should be registered with an approved agency in I commend those persons involved in this Committee, in accordance with the Mediation Act 1997 should be deleted. an area so desperately starved of resources and in need of Guideline7, “that a mediator must not mediate unless the ongoing care and effort. mediator had the necessary competence to do so”, is a Darryl Perkins (Chair) suffi cient safeguard for the public. The focus for the Committee will now be to review the Mediation Kit and to generally promote the adoption of CHURCH Alternate Dispute Resolution to the community, lawyers and Lady Lorraine Bevan (Chair) court administration. Barbara Campbell (until August 2008) Uwe Boettcher (Chair) Chris Erskine Ken Hubert Yvette De Paoli (Member Services Offi cer)

CHILDREN’S & MENTAL HEALTH TThehe ChurchChurch CommitteeCommittee onlyonly meetsmeets 4 oror 5 timestimes from,from, endend Darryl Perkins (Chair) JJulyuly onwards.onwards. DuringDuring thesethese fewfew monthsmonths beforebefore ChristmasChristmas wewe Radmila Andric hhaveave ttoo mmoveove vveryery eexpeditiouslyxpeditiously ttoo ssendend ooutut tthehe mmanyany vvariousarious Sheila Foliaki-Singh iinvitationsnvitations andand obtainobtain necessarynecessary approvalapproval forfor thethe datedate andand Helen Hayunga vvenue.enue. Peter Johnson Cindy Kua TThehe ServiceService thisthis yearyear waswas heldheld atat StSt Andrew’sAndrew’s PresbyterianPresbyterian Jeremy Leyland CChurchhurch FForrest.orrest. Brian Liddy AAgaingain thisthis year,year, asas wewe alwaysalways trytry toto do,do, thethe CommitteeCommittee John Lundy ddecidedecided ttoo bbee iinnovative.nnovative. Katrina Mackenzie TThehe format,format, tthehe pparticipationarticipation ooff tthehe mmanyany ppeopleeople iinvolvednvolved Athol Morris iinn tthehe sserviceervice aandnd thethe speaker,speaker, HisHis Hon.Hon. JusticeJustice RichardRichard Amanda Nuttall RRefshauge,efshauge, wwee wwishish ttoo pparticularlyarticularly tthank.hank. Cathleen Timbs WWee wwishish ttoo aalsolso tthankhank RRev.ev. JoyJoy BartholomewBartholomew forfor allowingallowing Michael Toole uuss toto uusese hherer CChurchhurch aatt sshorthort nnotice.otice. WWee wwereere ddueue ttoo hhaveave Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) tthehe ServiceService atat StSt Joseph’sJoseph’s CatholicCatholic Church,Church, O’Connor,O’Connor, butbut uunfortunatelynfortunately tthehe wworksorks ffollowingollowing tthehe fi rree wwereere nnotot qquiteuite The last twelve months has seen considerable changes within ccompletedompleted iinn ttimeime asas hadhad beenbeen expectedexpected byby Fr.Fr. KennedyKennedy andand this Committees sphere of interest. oourur CCommittee.ommittee. We have worked through a change of Chair, and many thanks WWee werewere happyhappy asas toto thethe numbernumber ofof membersmembers whowho attendedattended for Jerry Leyland remaining with the Committee. His effort tthehe sservice,ervice, wwhichhich aappearsppears ttoo bbee iimprovingmproving yyearear aafterfter and expertise in the area has been invaluable. We now have yyear.ear. Again,Again, I mustmust thankthank MrMr KenKen HubertHubert forfor hishis effortsefforts inin on the Committee either representatives from or persons ppromotionromotion aandnd aadvertising.dvertising. I wwishish ttoo tthankhank MMss JJaneane working for the DPP, Magistrates Court, Legal Aid, Supreme GGodtschalkodtschalk pplayinglaying tthehe bbagpipes,agpipes, MMrr AAlynlyn DDoigoig fforor hishis guitarguitar Court, Public Advocates Offi ce, ACAT, and in the private ssolo,olo, tthehe SStt AAndrew’sndrew’s CChoirhoir aandnd BBetheth CCathcartathcart tthehe OOrganist.rganist. profession. AAss sstatedtated ppreviously,reviously, wwee aarere tthehe oonlynly pplacelace iinn AAustralia,ustralia,

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 11 aapartpart fromfrom tthehe NNorthernorthern TTerritoryerritory wwhichhich hholdsolds aann It is anticipated that there will be further work to be done EEcumenicalcumenical CChurchhurch SService,ervice, aandnd aagaingain I rre-iteratee-iterate tthathat aass tthehe over the next 12 months in dealing with changes to the CCommitteeommittee pputsuts ssoo mmuchuch wworkork iintonto tthehe sserviceervice ttoo eensurensure tthathat legislation concerning motor vehicle accidents, and possible aallll denominationsdenominations areare cateredcatered for,for, wewe wouldwould likelike toto seesee moremore changes to the Workers Compensation Scheme. The ppractitionersractitioners supportsupport thethe commencementcommencement ooff tthehe llegalegal yyearear Committee has been in contact with the Minister to request bbyy aattendingttending tthehe churchchurch service.service. TheThe reasonreason forfor this,this, isis thatthat appropriate consultation in relation to any such changes. tthehe AACTCT iiss ttoooo ssmallmall ttoo hholdold sseparateeparate sserviceservices aass sseeneen iinn tthehe I am very grateful for the support given to me by the mmuchuch llargerarger ccapitalapital ccitiesities iinn tthehe vvariousarious ootherther sstates.tates. members of the Committee who comprise some of the most I wwishish ttoo tthankhank aallll tthosehose cclergylergy wwhoho hhaveave aassisted,ssisted, aandnd experienced practitioners in Canberra. tthehe vvariousarious mmembersembers ooff tthehe CCourtsourts aandnd oourur LLegislativeegislative Richard Faulks (Chair) AAssemblyssembly fforor bbringring iinvolved.nvolved. OOverall,verall, wewe believebelieve thisthis yyear’sear’s sserviceervice wwasas mmostost ssuccessful,uccessful, aandnd ofof ccourse,ourse, wwee wwillill sstrivetrive ttoo iimprovemprove tthehe sserviceervice eeachach yyear.ear. COMMERCIAL & BUSINESS LAW Brian Tetlow (Chair) IItt iiss aalwayslways a ppityity tthathat mmoreore ppractitionersractitioners ddoo nnotot aattend.ttend. EEvenven Allan Bedford iiff ttheyhey ddoo nnotot nnormallyormally ggoo ttoo cchurch,hurch, oorr eevenven iiff ttheyhey ddoo nnotot Peter Garrisson aagreegree withwith GGod,od, oorr CChristianhristian pprincipals,rincipals, tthehe AAddressddress iiss aalwayslways Doug Gillespie mmoreore tthanhan wworthwhile.orthwhile. Katy Grimes (until October 2008) TThishis yyearear MMrr AAsmismi WWood,ood, LLegalegal AAdviserdviser ttoo tthehe IIslamicslamic David Hanstein CCommunityommunity readread thethe fi rrstst llesson.esson. TThishis wwasas tthehe fi rrstst yyearear tthathat John Irvine wwee havehave hadhad a representativerepresentative fromfrom thethe IslamicIslamic faithfaith joinjoin usus inin Richard Lewis oourur service.service. ThisThis isis mostmost welcome,welcome, andand wewe wwouldould llikeike ttoo sseeee Chris Macphillamy oortherrther mmembersembers ooff ootherther ffaithsaiths jjoinoin uuss iinn tthehe ffuture.uture. Judy Morris LLorraineorraine BevanBevan (Chair)(Chair) Geoff Nicholl Peter Quinton Paul Salinas Jason Wenning CIVIL LITIGATION John Williams Richard Faulks (Chair) Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) GGraemeraeme BBlanklank Mary Brennan The Committee meets monthly and has tried to act pro- AAnniennie GGloverlover actively in relation to issues of signifi cance to the profession. John Henry Steven Hausfeld This year the Committee has considered: Walter Hawkins • The Powers of Attorney Act Hugh Jorgensen • Money Laundering issues for solicitors John Little • Liaison with the Business Law Section of the Law Melanie McKean Council Athol Morris • Tax and incorporated legal practices Russell Patrick • Carbon trading Karl Pattenden • The rule against perpetuities Sarah Simpson As well as these issues a broad range of matters have come Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) before the Committee and my thanks go to the Committee members for the time and effort they have put into the The Committee has continued to meet monthly over the past Committee’s work. 12 months. There has been regular consideration of ongoing Brian Tetlow (Chair) issues relating to the Court Procedure Rules and suggestions made by Committee members for some changes, which have been implemented. The commencement of the Road Transport (Third Party CCOMPLAINTSOMPLAINTS GGraemeraeme FFinlaysoninlayson ((ChairChair uuntilntil 1188 JJuneune 22009)009) Insurance) Act 2008 from 1 October 2008, has led to LLoisois CCliffordlifford discussion within the Committee and submissions to the BBillill CCoombesoombes ACT government about possible changes. This is an ongoing SSheenaheena DDadgeadge ((LayLay mmember)ember) matter. MMichaelichael DDeaseyeasey The Committee has welcomed the opportunity to have JJimim DDunnunn communications with the new ACT Civil and Administrative MMichaelichael EEleyley Tribunal and Athol Morris has now joined the Committee. TTonyony FFoleyoley In addition to consideration of the rules and legislative KKarenaren FFogartyogarty ((ChairChair ffromrom JJulyuly 22009)009) changes, the Committee has regularly reviewed activities JJeanineeanine LLloydloyd within the Magistrate and Supreme Courts and has received CColol MMaclachlanaclachlan valuable input from Registrars, Annie Glover and Hugh RRossoss ReidReid Jorgensen. AAlyssalyssa TTayloraylor

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 12 MMarkark TigwellTigwell CCivilivil aandnd AAdministrativedministrative TTribunalribunal ((ACAT).ACAT). WWhenhen AACATCAT LLindainda MMackayackay ((ComplaintsComplaints SSecretary)ecretary) ccommencedommenced iinn FFebruaryebruary tthehe LLegalegal PPractitionersractitioners DDisciplinaryisciplinary TTribunalribunal cceasedeased ooperation.peration. IItt hashas beenbeen a busybusy yearyear forfor thethe ComplaintsComplaints CommitteeCommittee andand TTherehere areare ccurrentlyurrently 1133 ddisciplinaryisciplinary mmattersatters fi ledled i inn AACATCAT oonene ofof change.change. TThehe yearyear hashas seenseen ACATACAT commencecommence andand thethe ooff whichwhich 1010 havehave beenbeen heard.heard. 5 ofof thesethese decisionsdecisions areare stillstill rresignationesignation ofof twotwo seniorsenior mmembersembers - GGraemeraeme FFinlaysoninlayson rreserved.eserved. IInn eeachach ooff tthehe 5 ddecidedecided mmatters,atters, a fi nndingding o off wwhoho wwasas CChairhair ooff tthehe CCommitteeommittee fforor ooverver 1133 yyears,ears, aandnd uunsatisfactorynsatisfactory pprofessionalrofessional cconductonduct bbyy tthehe PPractitionerractitioner wwasas BBillill CoombesCoombes a CommitteeCommittee mmemberember fforor 1166 yyears.ears. BBothoth wwillill mmade.ade. bbee mmissedissed fforor ttheirheir wwealthealth ooff eexperience,xperience, kknowledgenowledge aandnd TThehe CouncilCouncil ofof thethe LawLaw SocietySociety summarilysummarily concludedconcluded ppracticalractical oobservationsbservations ttheyhey bbroughtrought ttoo tthehe CCommittee.ommittee. TThehe ccomplaintsomplaints aagainstgainst 3 PPractitionersractitioners uundernder tthehe pprovisionsrovisions ooff CCommitteeommittee wwishesishes tthemhem aallll tthehe bbestest tthathat rretirementetirement ccanan ssectionection 441313 ooff tthehe LLegalegal PProfessionrofession AActct 22006.006. ooffer.ffer. MMyy ggratituderatitude iiss eextendedxtended ttoo RRobertobert RReiseis aandnd LLindainda MMackayackay I hhaveave aacceptedccepted tthehe ppositionosition ooff CChairhair aandnd llookook fforwardorward ttoo aandnd aallll membersmembers ofof thethe CommitteeCommittee forfor theirtheir hardhard workwork andand tthehe challengeschallenges thatthat thisthis willwill bring.bring. TheThe newnew membersmembers ofof thethe ddedicationedication ooverver tthehe ppastast yyear.ear. CCommitteeommittee areare ChristineChristine HarveyHarvey ffromrom MMcSpeddencSpedden HHarveyarvey ((aa fformerormer ProfessionalProfessional StandardStandard DirectorDirector ofof thethe Society)Society) andand KKarenaren FFogartyogarty ((Chair)Chair) FFredred LesterLester fromfrom PamelaPamela CowardCoward HigginsHiggins (the(the formerformer chairchair ooff tthehe YYoungoung LLawyersawyers ccommittee).ommittee). DDuringuring thethe yearyear thethe CommitteeCommittee hhasas ddealtealt wwithith 111212 fformalormal CCONTINUINGONTINUING LLEGALEGAL EEDUCATIONDUCATION ccomplaintsomplaints receivedreceived dduringuring tthehe rreportingeporting yyear,ear, eeightight mmoreore MMarkark BBlumerlumer ((Chair)Chair) tthanhan tthehe ppreviousrevious yyear.ear. InIn additionaddition toto thethe handlinghandling ofof thethe GGraemeraeme BBlanklank fformalormal ccomplaintsomplaints rreceived,eceived, oourur CComplaintsomplaints CCommitteeommittee CCarolinearoline BBushush SSecretaryecretary LindaLinda MackayMackay aandnd PProfessionalrofessional SStandardstandards TTonyony CCibirasibiras DDirectorirector RRobertobert RReiseis hhaveave ddealtealt wwithith aapproximatelypproximately 115050 RRosemaryosemary CCrowleyrowley ((untiluntil AAugustugust 22009)009) eenquiriesnquiries rreceivedeceived ffromrom ppractitionersractitioners aandnd 228080 ffromrom mmembersembers LLouiseouise DDonohoeonohoe SSCC ooff tthehe ppublic.ublic. MMichaelichael FFrancisrancis ((untiluntil FFebruaryebruary 22009)009) TToo assistassist ppractitioners,ractitioners, aann aanalysisnalysis ooff tthehe ccomplaintsomplaints rreceivedeceived SSteventeven GGavagnaavagna hhasas bbeeneen ccarriedarried oout.ut. TThishis aanalysisnalysis iindicatesndicates tthehe ttypeype ooff MMichaelichael JJamesames ((untiluntil AAugustugust 22008)008) cconductonduct raisedraised inin thethe complaints.complaints. InIn relationrelation toto thethe typetype ofof JJalehaleh JJohannessenohannessen tthehe ccomplaints,omplaints, tthehe mmajorajor aareasreas ooff llawaw aandnd cconcernoncern wwere:ere: MMichaelichael KKukulies-Smithukulies-Smith RRichardichard LLewisewis ((untiluntil JJulyuly 22009)009) AAreasreas ofof LLawaw 22008/2009008/2009 SSanazanaz MMirzabegianirzabegian Family Law 28 MMelanieelanie MMossoss ((untiluntil DDecemberecember 22008)008) AAtholthol OOpaspas Conveyancing 27 AAlisonlison OOsmandsmand ((untiluntil JJanuaryanuary 22009)009) Civil Litigation 21 SSimonimon TaylorTaylor Criminal Law 11 KKellyelly TThomashomas ((untiluntil JJuneune 22009)009) PPersonalersonal Injuries/MedicalInjuries/Medical 8 DDalilaalila VelottiVelotti NNegligence/WCegligence/WC TTinging YYuanuan ((untiluntil JJuneune 22009)009) LLorettaoretta ZZamprognoamprogno Wills & Probate 7 YYvettevette DDee PPaoliaoli ((MemberMember SServiceservices OOffiffi ccer)er) Other 10 TThehe 2008/092008/09 yearyear wwasas a mmuchuch bbetteretter yyearear tthanhan llastast yyearear fforor CCLE.LE. Type of Matter TTherehere wwereere 2266 sseminarseminars ((listedlisted bbelow)elow) wwithith aann aaverageverage ooff 3355 Costs 34 rregistrationsegistrations pperer sseminar.eminar. Failure to communicate 12 11.. RRelocationelocation andand OOtherther CCurrenturrent IIssuesssues - 22/07/2008/07/2008 failure to follow instructions 8 22.. CContractontract UUpdatepdate - HHazardsazards ooff TTerminationermination - 117/07/20087/07/2008 Possible negligence 5 33.. RRulinguling FFromrom tthehe GGraverave - 224/07/20084/07/2008 Discourtesy 7 44.. GGuardianshipuardianship iinn PPracticeractice - TTipsips & TTrapsraps fforor LLegalegal Confl ict of interest 10 PPractitionersractitioners - 33/07/2008/07/2008 Delay 14 55.. BBeginningeginning AAdvocacydvocacy - 224/07/20084/07/2008 66.. EEarnarn OOutut BBurnurn OOutsuts - TTaxax iissuesssues & iimplicationsmplications fforor Trust account irregularities 5 BBusinessusiness buyersbuyers & ssellersellers aafterfter tthehe ddealeal iiss ddoneone - Acting without instructions 9 112/08/20082/08/2008 Quality of service 8 77.. UUnhappynhappy FFamiliesamilies - 114/08/20084/08/2008 88.. PPreparingreparing AAffiffi davitsdavits – 19/08/200819/08/2008 & 226/08/20086/08/2008 General conduct 24 99.. UUpdatepdate oonn CChildhild SSupportupport LLegislationegislation - 117/09/20087/09/2008 110.0. DDiscriminatoryiscriminatory WWorkplacesorkplaces aandnd EEmployermployer LLiabilityiability - IInn relationrelation toto thethe ComplaintsComplaints thatthat warrantwarrant furtherfurther aaction,ction, 115/10/20085/10/2008 ttheyhey aarere rreferredeferred ttoo tthehe CCouncilouncil ooff tthehe LLawaw SSocietyociety wwhichhich 111.1. PPersonalersonal PPropertyroperty SSecuritiesecurities RRegisteregister - 228/10/20088/10/2008 ddealseals wwithith tthehe mmatteratter oorr tthehe CCouncilouncil rrefersefers iitt ttoo AACTCT 112.2. UUsingsing NNotionalotional EEstatestate PProvisionsrovisions ttoo SStrengthentrengthen yyourour ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 13 FFamilyamily pprovisionrovision claimclaim - 11/11/200811/11/2008 ssystem,ystem, tthehe eeffectffect ofof thethe SARPSARP legislationlegislation onon thethe conductconduct ofof 113.3. A MMagicalagical mmysteryystery ttourour ooff tthehe AActscts IInterpretationnterpretation ttrials,rials, andand thethe longlong termterm ramifiramifi ccationsations ooff tthehe cchangeshanges ttoo tthehe AActscts - 119/11/20089/11/2008 MMagistratesagistrates CCourtourt ppowers.owers. TThehe oopeningpening ooff tthehe AAMCMC bbroughtrought 114.4. BBriefiriefi ngng CounselCounsel - 226/11/20086/11/2008 wwithith iitt ssomeome uunforeseennforeseen pproblemsroblems ooff aaccessccess wwhichhich wwee aarere 115.5. UUnravelingnraveling tthehe MMysteriesysteries ooff FFinancialinancial SStatementstatements - aaddressingddressing withwith CorrectiveCorrective Services.Services. ItIt isis hopedhoped thatthat wewe 118/03/20098/03/2009 wwillill bbee ableable toto reachreach a satisfactorysatisfactory compromisecompromise inin thethe nearnear 116.6. UUnderstandingnderstanding BBusinessusiness EEvaluationsvaluations - 118/03/20098/03/2009 ffuture.uture. 117.7. AAssessmentssessment ooff EEconomicconomic LLossoss iinn PPersonalersonal IInjuriesnjuries TThehe ccriminalriminal llegalegal professionprofession hashas beenbeen particularlyparticularly effectedeffected LLitigationitigation - 118/03/20098/03/2009 bbyy tthehe iintroductionntroduction ooff ssecurityecurity sscreeningcreening iinn thethe ACT’sACT’s Courts.Courts. 118.8. EElectroniclectronic EEvidencevidence - 18/03/200918/03/2009 TThehe CCommitteeommittee wwillill continuecontinue toto presspress thethe SocietySociety toto lobbylobby 119.9. A GGrabrab BBagag ofof ccurrenturrent iissuesssues - 225/03/20095/03/2009 oonn practitioners’practitioners’ bbehalfehalf ttoo oobtainbtain tthehe ssameame rrightsights ooff aaccessccess 220.0. AACTCT HHumanuman RRightsights AActct - 22/04/2009/04/2009 ttoo thethe courtscourts ccurrentlyurrently aaffordedfforded ttoo tthehe AAFP,FP, CCorrectiveorrective 221.1. FFOIOI UUpdatepdate - 330/04/20090/04/2009 SServiceservices aandnd ccourtourt sstaff.taff. RRightsights ooff aaccessccess wwhichhich wwouldould rreflefl eectct 222.2. AACATCAT - tthehe fi rstrst threethree monthsmonths rreviewedeviewed - 55/05/2009/05/2009 oourur uuniquenique sstatustatus aass OOffiffi cerscers ofof tthehe CCourt.ourt. 223.3. BBeginningeginning AAdvocacydvocacy - 55/05/2009/05/2009 OOverver thethe pastpast twelvetwelve monthsmonths thethe committeecommittee hashas providedprovided 224.4. CCommittingommitting CCrimerime - 22/06/2009/06/2009 aadvicedvice ttoo tthehe SSocietyociety oonn oorr ppreparedrepared ssubmissionsubmissions iinn rrelationelation 225.5. MMakingaking SSubmissionsubmissions - 22/6/2009/6/2009 & 44/6/2009/6/2009 tto:o: thethe SARPSARP legislation;legislation; thethe changeschanges toto thethe MagistratesMagistrates 226.6. SStructuringtructuring aandnd PProtectingrotecting WWealthealth CCreationreation - CCourtourt committalcommittal process;process; changeschanges toto thethe MagistratesMagistrates CourtCourt 111/06/20091/06/2009 AAct;ct; tthehe iincreasedncreased jjurisdictionurisdiction ooff tthehe MMagistratesagistrates CCourt;ourt; TThehe totaltotal ‘profi‘profi t’t’ wwasas $$28,906.99,28,906.99, oonn aann iincomencome ooff llegislationegislation rrelatingelating ttoo bbillill pposting,osting, uurinatingrinating iinn ppublicublic aandnd $$59,402.35.59,402.35. oorganisedrganised ccrime;rime; aandnd tthehe rrevieweview ooff tthehe CCoroner’soroner’s AAct.ct. TThehe CLECLE committeecommittee alsoalso discusseddiscussed andand advisedadvised thethe CouncilCouncil I wwouldould llikeike ttoo tthankhank tthehe Committee’sCommittee’s membersmembers forfor theirtheir ooff thethe LawLaw SocietySociety inin relationrelation toto implementationimplementation issuesissues ofof ssupportupport aandnd ttheirheir aassistancessistance iinn rrelationelation ttoo tthehe ppreparationreparation ooff mmandatoryandatory ccontinuingontinuing pprofessionalrofessional ddevelopment.evelopment. aadvicesdvices ttoo tthehe SSociety.ociety. PParticulararticular tthankshanks ggoo ttoo tthehe CCommit-ommit- TThankshanks ooncence aagaingain toto thethe enthusiasticenthusiastic andand knowledgeableknowledgeable ttee’see’s secretarysecretary JocelynJocelyn CampbellCampbell forfor allall herher work,work, supportsupport mmembersembers ooff tthehe ccommittee,ommittee, ttoo YYvettevette DDee PPaoli,aoli, oourur eeffectiveffective aandnd iincrediblencredible ppatienceatience wwithith a rrecalcitrantecalcitrant CChairman.hairman. WWith-ith- aandnd ccheerfulheerful cco-ordinatoro-ordinator aandnd ttoo tthosehose wwhoho ggenerouslyenerously ggaveave ooutut hherer ssupportupport tthehe jjobob ooff CChairmanhairman wwouldould bbee uundoable.ndoable. ooff ttheirheir kknowledge,nowledge, sskillkill aandnd ttimeime ttoo ppresentresent sseminars.eminars. MMattatt OO’Brien’Brien ((Chair)Chair) MMarkark BBlumerlumer ((Chair)Chair)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LAW CRIMINAL LAW Noor Blumer (Chair) Matt O’Brien (Chair) Louise Donohoe SC Radmila Andric Graeme Gunn Ben Aulich Traci Harris Kim Bolas Allyson Hine Richard Davies Margaret Hunter Brian Dunn Valentina Josifovski Shiela Foliaki Singh Leonie Kennedy Miriam Garni Patrick Mayoh Shane Gill Sayuri Piper Annie Glover Janean Richards Martin Hockridge Ben Tallboys John Jasinski Sara Wedgwood Hugh Jorgensen Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) Michael Kukulies-Smith Jerry Leyland TThehe EEqualisingqualising OOpportunitiespportunities iinn tthehe LLawaw CCommitteeommittee hhasas mmetet Brian Liddy oon:n: John Lundy • 1122 AAugustugust 22008008 Dean Mayr • 1111 NNovemberovember 22008008 Elizabeth McLaughlin • 1100 FFebruaryebruary 22009009 Sean Moysey • 1144 AAprilpril 22009009 Darryl Perkins • 9 JJuneune 22009009 Jon White SSurveyurvey ooff MMembershipembership Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) TThehe ssurveyurvey ddraftedrafted bbyy tthishis ccommitteeommittee wwasas uused,sed, wwithith ssomeome mmodifiodifi cation,cation, bbyy tthehe AACTCT LLawaw SSocietyociety aatt mmembershipembership TThehe pastpast twelvetwelve monthsmonths havehave seenseen majormajor cchangeshanges ttoo tthehe rrenewalenewal ttime.ime. TTherehere wwasas aann eexcellentxcellent rresponseesponse ttoo tthehe ssurvey.urvey. TTerritory’serritory’s criminalcriminal legislationlegislation andand thethe practicepractice ofof lawlaw WWee aarere aawaitingwaiting wwrittenritten rresults.esults. pparticularly,articularly, bbutut nnotot eexclusively,xclusively, iinn tthehe MMagistratesagistrates CCourt.ourt. BBriefiriefi nngg ooff CCounselounsel SSeminareminar TThehe CCommitteeommittee aactivelyctively oopposedpposed ssomeome ooff tthesehese cchangeshanges aandnd TThehe sseminareminar oonn bbriefiriefi nngg ccounselounsel wwasas hheldeld oonn 1133 NNovemberovember aadviseddvised tthehe SSocietyociety aaccordingly.ccordingly. TThehe CCommitteeommittee hhad,ad, aandnd sstilltill 22008.008. MMss DDonohoeonohoe SCSC andand NoorNoor BlumerBlumer ofof thisthis committeecommittee hhas,as, ddoubtsoubts aaboutbout tthehe eeffiffi cacycacy ooff tthehe cchangeshanges ttoo tthehe ccommittalommittal ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 14 wwereere onon thethe panel.panel. NoorNoor BlumerBlumer discusseddiscussed tthehe MModelodel Greg Burnett EEqualityquality ooff OOpportunitypportunity BBriefiriefi ngng PPolicyolicy ooff tthehe LLawaw CCouncilouncil Barbara Campbell ooff AAustralia.ustralia. Lois Clifford NNationalational IIndigenousndigenous LLegalegal CConferenceonference Denis Farrar NNooroor BlumerBlumer attendedattended thisthis conferenceconference butbut therethere werewere nono Gavin Howard aattendeesttendees fromfrom thethe ACTACT bbyy iindigenousndigenous llawaw sstudents.tudents. GGreaterreater Pam Lyndon eeffortsfforts aarere bbeingeing mmadeade ttoo eensurensure AACTCT aattendancettendance iiss iimprovedmproved Rhonda Payget aatt tthishis wworthwhileorthwhile cconferenceonference iinn SSeptembereptember tthishis yyear.ear. Margaret Reid David Ridge WWomen’somen’s LLegalegal CCentreentre IIndigenousndigenous LLiaisoniaison PProjectroject Lessli Strong NNooroor BBlumerlumer mmetet wwithith tthehe WWomen’somen’s LLegalegal CCentreentre iincludingncluding Carlos Turini TTraciraci HHarris,arris, ttoo ddiscussiscuss wwaysays tthathat tthehe EEOLOL CCommittee,ommittee, tthehe Gillian Yeend LLawaw SSocietyociety aandnd tthehe AACTCT WWomenomen LLawyersawyers AAssociationssociation mmayay Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) bbee aableble ttoo aassistssist wwithith tthehe Project.Project. JJudicialudicial CComplaintomplaint MechanismsMechanisms During 2009 the Family Law jurisdiction (comprising the TThishis ccommitteeommittee ccontinuesontinues ttoo cconsideronsider wwhetherhether oorr nnotot a Courts, practitioners and litigants) has been coming to terms fformalormal systemsystem ccanan bbee pputut iinn pplacelace fforor ppractitionersractitioners wwhoho aarere with the signifi cant changes in Family Law practice over the cconcernedoncerned aboutabout judicialjudicial behaviour.behaviour. WhileWhile concernsconcerns areare few,few, past three years together with further new changes in the ttheyhey oftenoften involveinvolve discriminationdiscrimination issuesissues andand itit isis veryvery diffidiffi cultcult last 12 months, the chief among them: ttoo fi ndnd a channelchannel forfor tthosehose cconcerns.oncerns. 1. The recent introduction on 1 March 2009 of Part FFacilitiesacilities fforor tthehe DDeafeaf VIIIAB of the Family Law Act which gives the Family SSaraara WedgwoodWedgwood isis wworkingorking oonn eensuringnsuring tthathat aallll ccourtsourts iinn tthehe Courts all but two of the States in Australia (SA and WA) jjurisdictionurisdiction hhaveave ssuffiuffi cientcient accessaccess andand ffacilitiesacilities fforor tthehe ddeaf.eaf. jurisdiction over property settlements for defacto and LLawaw CCouncilouncil ooff AAustraliaustralia EEOLOL CCommitteeommittee AActivitiesctivities same sex couples. TThehe ccommitteeommittee iiss rrepresentedepresented oonn tthehe EEOLOL CCommitteeommittee ooff tthehe 2. There has been continued experience of the Shared LLawaw CouncilCouncil ofof AAustraliaustralia bbyy NNooroor BBlumerlumer wwhoho cchairshairs tthathat Parental Responsibility reforms made to the Family ccommittee.ommittee. LLouiseouise DDonohoeonohoe SSCC iiss aalsolso oonn tthathat ccommitteeommittee Law Act in 2006. Retired Family Court Justice Richard rrepresentingepresenting tthehe AACTCT BBarar AAssociationssociation aandnd JJaneananean RRichardsichards Chisholm and Research Psychologist Dr Jennifer hhasas bbeeneen rrepresentingepresenting AAustralianustralian WWomenomen LLawyers.awyers. McIntosh have been at the forefront of what may SSomeome ooff tthehe aactivitiesctivities wwhichhich wwereere supportedsupported byby thisthis perhaps be described “a backlash” or sober reminder ccommitteeommittee aandnd tthehe LLawaw SSocietyociety ooff tthehe AACTCT aarere aass ffollows:ollows: about the actual effect on children of Orders being • CCourtourt AppearanceAppearance ssurveyurvey pprojectroject wwasas ffundedunded bbyy tthehe made in the Family Law system increasingly dividing LLawaw CCouncilouncil ooff AAustraliaustralia aandnd iiss nearnear toto completion.completion. the amount of time that they spend with their parents. TThishis isis a comprehensivecomprehensive surveysurvey ofof appearancesappearances inin allall It would be fair to say that long gone are the days ssuperioruperior ccourtsourts iinn AAustraliaustralia bbyy ggender.ender. when a “standard” Contact Order was for a child to • NNooroor BlumerBlumer andand CaroleCarole CapleCaple ofof thethe LCALCA representedrepresented visit his/her father for every second weekend and half tthehe LLCACA aandnd ggaveave eevidencevidence ttoo tthehe IInquirynquiry iintonto ppayay eequityquity school holidays: the norm now is that the child will aandnd aassociatedssociated iissuesssues rrelatingelating ttoo iincreasingncreasing ffemaleemale spend time with their non-resident parent for three to pparticipationarticipation iinn tthehe wworkforceorkforce bbyy tthehe HHouseouse ooff fi ve nights per fortnight and half the school holidays. RRepresentativesepresentatives StandingStanding CCommitteeommittee oonn EEmploymentmployment The philosophy is that in this way the child and parent aandnd WorkplaceWorkplace Relations.Relations. TThehe CCommitteeommittee oobservedbserved have time to share not only weekend “fun” time but tthathat thethe legallegal professionprofession isis probablyprobably thethe worstworst inin termsterms also some of the school time. ooff ggenderender iinequitynequity tthathat hhadad ccomeome bbeforeefore tthehe eenquirynquiry 3. The jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court has aatt tthathat ttime.ime. continued to grow with most fi lings now being in that • TThehe LawLaw CouncilCouncil ofof AustraliaAustralia EOLEOL CommitteeCommittee continuescontinues Court and the Family Court of Australia hearing the ttoo supportsupport thethe furtherancefurtherance ooff tthehe MModelodel EEqualityquality ooff longer and more complex trials only. OOpportunitypportunity BBriefiriefi ngng PolicyPolicy andand itsits eevolution.volution. 4. The Semple report on the operation of the Federal Family Courts has been released and the unifi cation of WWomenomen LawyersLawyers ofof thethe ACTACT andand AustralianAustralian WomenWomen the Federal Magistrates Court and Family Court into LLawyersawyers AActivityctivity a two-tiered single structure is apparently under way. LLeonieeonie Kennedy,Kennedy, currentcurrent ppresidentresident ooff tthehe WWomenomen LLawyersawyers It will be some time until the effect of that is felt in AAssociationssociation ooff tthehe AACTCT iiss aalsolso a ddirectorirector ooff AAustralianustralian practical terms. WWomenomen LLawyers.awyers. 5. In Canberra the two Courts always co-operated very RRegularegular rreportseports wwereere pprovidedrovided bbyy MMss KKennedy.ennedy. well and the administration of the Courts with regard NNooroor BBlumerlumer ((Chair)Chair) to the allocation of Registrars for conferences, shared Registry and Chambers and administrative support and the operation of the Family Consultants Service has appeared to operate very well. This is apparently not FAMILY LAW the case in all the Registries in Australia. Olivia Gesini (Chair) 6. The Child Support reforms which have come into Kay Barralet effect in three stages the last three years have been Stephen Bourke felt in the Community with in general the amount George Brzostowski payable by non - resident parents to the caring parent Mary Burgess ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 15 being reduced. ppopularopular ddemandemand tthishis returnedreturned toto thethe LobbyLobby andand provedproved 7. The Social Security Appeals Tribunal’s operation as ssuccessful,uccessful, eevenven iinn tthehe ddepthsepths ooff wwinter.inter. the Court of Appeal from the Child Support Agency in HHavingaving eexperimentedxperimented wwithith ttwilightwilight AAGMGM aandnd ddrinksrinks wwee relation to many child support matters has continued rreturnedeturned ttoo tthehe mmoreore ccivilizedivilized pprospectrospect ooff AAGMGM llunchunch aandnd aass with many matters being heard in that Tribunal. wwellell aass a CChristmashristmas LLunchunch aatt tthehe CChairmanhairman aandnd YYip.ip. 8. Collaboration in the family law jurisdiction continues AAlthoughlthough wwhenhen tthehe AACTCT LLawaw SSocietyociety fi rrstst rraisedaised iitt sseveneven to develop in Canberra. The writer is the ACT member yyearsears aagogo nnoo oonene wwasas iinterested,nterested, iitt wwasas ggratifyingratifying tthathat tthishis of the Law Council’s National Committee of yyearear wwee hheldeld tthehe fi rstrst NationalNational LLawaw WWeek.eek. Collaborative Law which meets regularly. 9. Several further new Family Relationship Centres have TThehe AACTCT LLawaw SSocietyociety hhasas ccontinuedontinued toto sponsorsponsor thisthis processprocess commenced operation around Australia. aandnd tthathat tthishis iiss llikelyikely toto continuecontinue andand thatthat therethere maymay alsoalso bebe 10. The Family Law Committee has continued to run its a nnationalational tthemeheme nnextext yyear,ear, wwee mmightight eevenven ggetet fl aags.gs. successful seminars on particular matters of interest TThishis yearyear ccoincidedoincided wwithith tthehe 775th5th AAnniversarynniversary ooff tthehe AACTCT to Family Law Practitioners and to produce its SSupremeupreme CCourtourt aandnd tthehe LLawaw WWeekeek DDinnerinner wwasas ttransformedransformed occasional newsletter, “The Family Way”. iintonto a commemorativecommemorative dinnerdinner forfor thethe courtcourt organisedorganised byby thethe 11. The Committee has continued its close ties with the CCourtourt AAdministrator,dministrator, HHelenelen CChild,hild, aandnd SSvetlanavetlana TTodoroskiodoroski ooff Courts including by regular attendance of its tthehe ACTACT BarBar withwith thethe LawLaw SocietySociety providingproviding thethe ticketingticketing representatives at Family Court Forum meetings aandnd aadministrativedministrative ssupport.upport. convened by Deputy Chief Justice Faulks and meetings JJusticeustice LLexex LLasryasry ggaveave tthishis yyearsears BBlackburnlackburn LLectureecture oonn with the Federal Magistrates and Registrars of the tthehe ttopicopic “UUnelectednelected JJudgesudges – ooutut ooff ttouchouch wwithith tthehe rrealeal Court. wworld?orld? wwhichhich wwasas bbothoth eentertainingntertaining aandnd tthoughthought pprovoking.rovoking. 12. As Chair the writer attended meetings with the Chairs TThehe ssocceroccer ccompetitionompetition wwasas aagaingain a ssuccessuccess aalthoughlthough ttoooo of the other Family Law Committees of the various mmuchuch ofof thethe organisationorganisation fallsfalls onon thethe shouldersshoulders ofof BenBen States and Territories in May 2009 in Melbourne. At CCaddaye.addaye. TThankhank yyouou Ben.Ben. UnlessUnless therethere isis moremore voluntaryvoluntary the same time there was a useful meeting between that aassistancessistance ggiven,iven, wwee wwillill nnotot bbee aableble ttoo rrunun tthehe ccompetitionompetition iinn Committee and the Executive of the Family Law 22010.010. CCongratulationsongratulations ttoo BBlakelake DDawson,awson, tthehe 22009009 wwinners.inners. section of the Law Council at which several recent legal A newnew initiativeinitiative forfor LawLaw WeekWeek 20092009 waswas thethe MarketMarket DayDay and procedural developments were discussed and wwhichhich wwasas aann oopportunitypportunity fforor ccommunityommunity llawaw ccentersenters aandnd ootherther protocols were implemented for further dissemination llegalegal bbodiesodies ttoo ggetet ooutut aamongstmongst tthehe ccommunity.ommunity. TThankhank yyouou ttoo of information and sharing of resources. AAtholthol OpasOpas forfor pressingpressing thethe CanberraCanberra CentreCentre intointo action.action. ItIt Olivia Gesini (Chair) sshouldhould bbee bbiggerigger aandnd bbetteretter nnextext yyear.ear. AAss aalwayslways tthehe YYoungoung LLawyersawyers QQuizuiz NNightight (congratulations(congratulations toto AACTCT GGovernmentovernment SSolicitor,olicitor, tthehe wwinners)inners) tthehe WWomenomen aandnd LLawaw FUNCTIONS & LAW WEEK FForum,orum, tthehe mmootingooting ccompetitionompetition aandnd tthehe DDrinksrinks hhostedosted bbyy tthehe Bill Redpath (Chair) BBarar AssociationAssociation werewere a ssuccess.uccess. Chanaka Bandarage (until March 2009) TThehe CommitteeCommittee waswas ablyably assistedassisted byby YvetteYvette DeDe Paoli,Paoli, andand inin Bradley Beasley hherer aabsence,bsence, JJocelynocelyn CCampbellampbell wwhoho hhelpedelped oorganiserganise mmostost ooff Carol Benda LLawaw WWeek.eek. Jessica Bristol TThehe uusualsual ggripesripes fforor nnextext yyear:ear: BBenen CCaddayeaddaye • LLateate RRSVPsSVPs fforor ffunctionsunctions Helen Child • PPooroor aattendancettendance aatt ffunctionsunctions bbyy llargearge llawaw fi rmsrms Louise Donohoe SC • TThehe nneedeed fforor mmoreore vvolunteersolunteers fforor LLawaw WWeekeek Michael Edwards • A mmoreore ccoherentoherent ppublicublic mmessageessage iinn LLawaw WWeekeek Elenore Eriksson (until May 2009) bbutut ootherwisetherwise iitt wwasas a ggoodood yyear.ear. Annabel Fowler Leonie Kennedy BBillill RRedpathedpath ((Chair)Chair) Larry King Fred Lester Katrina Mackenzie INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Samantha Nichol John Wilson (Chair) Athol Opas Bradley Beasley Jamie Ronald Alan Campbell Svetlana Todoroski Cawley Hennings Heidi Yates (until August 2008) Ian Johnson Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) Danny Kynaston Yvette De Paoli (Member Services Offi cer) Don Malcolmson Jamie Ronald WWithith ssomeome sslightlight vvariationsariations tthehe CCommitteeommittee rreturnedeturned ttoo iitsts Kiri Ross nnormalormal ffunctionsunctions dduties.uties. Neil Wareham WWee heldheld thethe usualusual openingopening ofof thethe ChristmasChristmas Lunch,Lunch, LegalLegal Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) YYearear drinks,drinks, a MembersMembers LunchLunch inin AprilApril andand toto fi t iinn wwithith tthehe NationalNational GoldenGolden Gavel,Gavel, tthehe AAnnualnnual DDinnerinner iinn JJuly.uly. BByy TThehe SSociety’society’s IIndustrialndustrial RRelationselations CCommitteeommittee mmeetseets ttoo cconsideronsider industrialindustrial relationsrelations andand employmentemployment issuesissues relevantrelevant ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 16 ttoo tthehe pprofessionrofession iinn tthehe AACTCT aand,nd, tthroughhrough tthehe SSociety,ociety, The Practice Management Committee has again conducted ttoo aadvisedvise mmembersembers ooff ddevelopmentsevelopments iinn tthishis aarearea wwherehere a very successful Practice Management Course for solicitors aappropriate.ppropriate. ThisThis year,year, issuesissues thatthat thethe CommitteeCommittee hashas seeking to obtain an Unrestricted Practising Certifi cate. cconsideredonsidered iincludenclude nnon-legalon-legal ppractitionersractitioners ppreparingreparing There were 15 attendees at this year’s course, with ccollectiveollective aagreementsgreements aandnd ootherther eemployment-relatedmployment-related representatives from both the private sector and Government. iinstrumentsnstruments forfor a fee,fee, presentationspresentations toto membersmembers (in(in Again the course was well received, with lots of positive cconjunctiononjunction withwith thethe EducationEducation CCommittee),ommittee), nnationalational feedback from attendees. hharmonisationarmonisation ofof WorkersWorkers CompensationCompensation aandnd OOccupationalccupational In addition to the Practice Management Course, the HHealthealth aandnd SSafetyafety llaws,aws, aandnd tthehe ffederalederal ggovernment’sovernment’s ‘‘FairFair committee organised seminars covering Risk Management DDismissalismissal CCode.’ode.’ for Solicitors, Risk Management for Support Staff, Trust Accounting and seminars for newly admitted solicitors. In JJohnohn WWilsonilson ((Chair)Chair) all, 151 people attended these seminars. Their popularity continues and that is no doubt a refl ection on the presenters and the content. Those presenters were Rob Reis, John LEGAL PROFESSION ACT & ETHICS Buxton, Gerard Santucci, Maureen Miller, Phil Davey, Tanya MMichaelichael PPhelpshelps ( (Chair)Chair) Berlis and myself. I thank all of those folk for their efforts PPaulaul AAmaregomarego and particularly those of my colleagues who have given up RRodod BBadgeryadgery their time on a voluntary basis. TTrevorrevor BBarkerarker I also express my deep gratitude for Linda Mackay, who JJoo CClaylay ((untiluntil SSeptembereptember 22008)008) has again made my job very simple indeed. Without her GGraemeraeme FFinlaysoninlayson ((untiluntil JuneJune 22009)009) enthusiasm, organisational skills and pleasant manner, the CChristinehristine HHarveyarvey committee simply would not function. TTomom HHoweowe QQCC I also thank the other members of my committee, namely RRobertobert ReisReis Graeme Blank, Phil Davey, Rob Reis, Gary Tamsitt and Paul GGeralderald SSantucciantucci Vane-Tempest. We have had a number of diffi cult issues to GGlorialoria WWongong deal with through the year. Paul and the committee have given their time willingly to help make diffi cult decisions in a The Committee only had cause to meet on three occasions very careful and considered way. throughout the year with matters otherwise dealt with out of session. Bill Baker (Chair) The signifi cant issues considered by the Committee were: 1. A consideration of Sections 223 & 229 of the Legal Profession Act and Regulation 62 as to the PROPERTY LAW appropriate procedures to be observed in the transfer Michael James (Chair) of legal costs in payment of fees and disbursements Tony Cibiras from monies held in trust. John Chamberlain 2. Preliminary consideration of the proposed National Maggie Chapman Conduct Rules prior to a more stringent review by Alfonso del Rio broader separate working groups established by the Michael Flynn Society. Ruth Harris 3. Drafting a Guidance Note in relation to the charging Geoff Hay of disbursements and in particular a “trust account Jayson Hinder fee” and “sundry expenses”. Daniel Huby The draft Guidance Note will shortly be considered by John Irvine Council prior to distribution to members. It is a sensitive Susan McCarthy issue which has not previously been embraced in any Roberta McRae authoritative fashion and yet it remains a controversial area Jill McSpedden of practice which attracts complaints. The Guidance Note is Judy Morris bound to stimulate active discussion. Richard Nesbitt I extend my thanks to the invaluable contribution and Tony Thew ongoing support from all committee members, the committee Mark Tigwell administrator and the Society’s staff in general. David Toole Peter Waight Michael Phelps (Chair) Chris Wheeler Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator)

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT The Property Law Committee has continued to have a full BBillill BBakeraker ((Chair)Chair) agenda, a busy committee, and signifi cant legislative changes PPhilhil DDaveyavey over the last 12 months. RRobob RReiseis The Committee has reinvigorated regular meetings between GGaryary TamsittTamsitt it and the ACT Revenue Offi ce, and the Land Titles Offi ce on PPaulaul Vane-TempestVane-Tempest a regular basis, and has also enjoyed a number of specifi c LLindainda MMackayackay ((ComplaintsComplaints SSecretary)ecretary) meetings with ACTPLA in relation to both planning and ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 17 leasehold issues. yyearear iinn 22008/2009.008/2009. There are a number of signifi cant policy issues that the WWe’vee’ve hhadad thethe annualannual eventsevents suchsuch asas LongLong RailRail GullyGully WineWine Committee has been involved in. The fi rst were detailed TTasting,asting, tthehe CChristmashristmas CCruise,ruise, tthehe QQuizuiz NNightight aandnd tthehe GGoldenolden representations made in relation to the changes to the GGavel.avel. AllAll ofof thesethese eventsevents keepkeep gettinggetting biggerbigger andand bigger,bigger, Unit Titles legislation. In particular the Committee made wwhichhich iiss ffantasticantastic fforor tthehe ccommitteeommittee aandnd fforor oourur mmembers.embers. extensive representations in relation to the “implied YYoungoung LLawyers’awyers’ aarere iinfinfi lltratingtrating eeveryvery ccornerorner ooff tthehe LLawaw warranties” aspect of the new legislation, and continues to SSociety,ociety, whetherwhether itit bebe atat socialsocial events,events, educationaleducational seminarsseminars do so. As part of the changes to that legislation, the standard oorr onon thethe manymany committeescommittees andand propro bonobono servicesservices thatthat thethe Contract for Sale was also re-written with the assistance of LLawaw SSocietyociety ooffers.ffers. Geoff Hay, John Chamberlain and Jason Hinder. OOnene ooff tthehe majormajor highlightshighlights forfor thisthis yearyear hashas beenbeen thisthis year’syear’s A sub committee involving Mark Tigwell and Ruth Harris QQuizuiz NNight,ight, wwhichhich rraisedaised a whoppingwhopping $6,186.35$6,186.35 forfor ArthritisArthritis is also involved in further implementation issues. Ruth AACTCT ((thisthis yyear’sear’s LawLaw WWeekeek Charity).Charity). TThishis wouldwould notnot havehave also continues to play an active role in relation to the bbeeneen possiblepossible withoutwithout thethe generousgenerous sponsorshipsponsorship ofof GillianGillian legislative and policy issues relating to fi rst home buyers, BBeaumonteaumont Legal,Legal, longlong timetime supporterssupporters ofof thethe YLC,YLC, andand thethe and has championed some improvements and education in eeverver helpfulhelpful SteveSteve andand JaneJane whowho havehave beenbeen writingwriting thethe QuizQuiz relation to the same. qquestionsuestions fforor 1155 yyearsears nnow.ow. Chris Wheeler continues to spend large amounts of time in TThehe ssecondecond hhighlightighlight hhasas ttoo bebe thatthat asas thisthis goesgoes toto print,print, relation to implementation issues relating to the Planning 119595 YoungYoung LawyersLawyers areare enjoyingenjoying thethe fi rstrst YYoungoung LLawyers’awyers’ Act, but has worked with myself and with Maggie Chapman BBallall since,since, asas I understandunderstand itit fromfrom MMrr CCoombes,oombes, 11981.981. WeWe of the Committee in relation to undertaking an as yet aarere ooptimisticptimistic tthathat thisthis willwill becomebecome anan annualannual eventevent onon ourour unfi nished review of concessional leases in the ACT. ccalendar.alendar. The Committee has also in the period undertaken policy II’m’m pleasedpleased toto reportreport thatthat wewe willwill havehave atat leastleast twotwo input in relation to the Lands Acquisition Act rrepresentativesepresentatives aatt tthehe fi rrstst NNationalational YYoungoung LLawyers’awyers’ (Commonwealth), provided commentary in relation to the CConference,onference, toto bebe heldheld inin conjunctionconjunction withwith thethe LawLaw Council’sCouncil’s Land Titles Offi ce forms, provided commentary in relation AAustralianustralian LLegalegal CConventiononvention iinn PPertherth iinn SSeptember.eptember. to registration of land rent crown leases, and at a recent IItt iiss aalsolso ppleasingleasing ttoo nnoteote ffromrom mmyy lliaisonsiaisons wwithith tthehe CChairshairs meeting met with the Department of Treasury to discuss ooff tthehe ootherther YYoungoung LLawyers’awyers’ bbodiesodies aaroundround AAustraliaustralia tthathat oourur implementation issues concerning the “Mortgage Relief CCommitteeommittee ppunchesunches wwellell aabovebove iit’st’s wweighteight iinn ttermserms ooff tthehe Fund”, being considered by Government. qqualityuality andand regularityregularity ooff eeventsvents aandnd sseminarseminars tthathat wwee hhold,old, In all, it has continued to be a busy but enjoyable period, eespeciallyspecially cconsideringonsidering tthathat wwee hhaveave ((much)much) llessess rresourcesesources with the prospect of the same again for the following year. tthanhan mmanyany ooff tthehe ootherther ssocieties.ocieties. As always the output of the Committee is a function of the WWe’vee’ve sseeneen ttwowo GGoldenolden GGavelsavels iinn tthehe llastast yyear.ear. WWithith TTheresaheresa enthusiasm and generous commitment of time given by its MMiskleiskle ttakingaking ooutut tthehe 22008008 GGavelavel aandnd rrepresentingepresenting tthehe AACTCT hard working members, who I gratefully thank for their bbrilliantlyrilliantly atat thethe NationalNational fi nnalsals iinn SSydney,ydney, AAndrewndrew JJosephoseph contribution. ttookook tthehe wwineine llastast yyear,ear, wwithith tthehe ppeople’seople’s cchoicehoice aaward.ward. WWee aarere veryvery gratefulgrateful toto AndrewAndrew RickardRickard andand DFPDFP RecruitmentRecruitment Michael James (Chair) fforor ssponsoringponsoring tthathat eevent.vent. TThishis yyear’sear’s GGavelavel ssawaw a vveryery ccloselose fi nnishish wwithith fi veve ccontestants.ontestants. YOUNG LAWYERS RRouslunouslun CChurcheshurches ccrossedrossed tthehe llineine fi rstrst aandnd wwillill rrepresentepresent tthehe Fred Lester (Chair) AACTCT aatt tthehe NationalNational FinalFinal inin PerthPerth inin September.September. ShelleyShelley Sayuri Piper (Vice-Chair) MMulherinulherin rejoicedrejoiced inin thethe people’speople’s choicechoice awardaward andand (I(I Natalie Bruno eexpect)xpect) thethe resultantresultant bottlesbottles ofof LongLong RailRail Gully.Gully. ThisThis yearyear wewe Kristy Domitrovic aarere veryvery pleasedpleased toto welcomewelcome MIMS,MIMS, thethe MedicalMedical Publishers,Publishers, Anneka Ferguson aass a ssponsorponsor ooff tthehe eeventvent aandnd wwee wwereere ggratefulrateful tthathat HHelenelen Leila Galang GGilmourilmour ffromrom MMIMSIMS wwasas aableble ttoo aattend.ttend. Rohan Goyne MManyany ooff yyouou wwillill hhaveave sseeneen tthehe rreturneturn ttoo tthehe gglossylossy OObiterbiter Farhana Islam DDictumictum iinn tthehe llastast mmonth.onth. WWee aarere tthrilledhrilled tthathat LLawaw IImagemage Andrew Joseph hhasas ccomeome oonn bboardoard aass a nnewew ssponsorponsor tthishis yyearear aandnd aarere Elizabeth Landford aassistingssisting tthehe YYLCLC bbyy pprintingrinting OObiterbiter aandnd aassistingssisting wwithith Josie Mackay-Sim ddesign.esign. Gavan Mackenzie TThesehese eventsevents (and(and manymany more)more) areare stillstill toto comecome inin thethe 09/1009/10 Brooke Miechel yyearear - tthehe LLongong RRailail GGullyully WWineine TTourour aapproachespproaches vveryery qquickly.uickly. Theresa Miskle WWee aare,re, aass aalways,lways, vveryery ggratefulrateful ttoo GGary,ary, BBarbaraarbara aandnd Cheryl Nemeth RRichardichard fforor ttheirheir hhospitalityospitality aatt LLRGRG aandnd aalsolso fforor ttheirheir ssupportupport Jennifer Newman tthroughouthroughout tthehe yyearear fforor eeventsvents ssuchuch aass tthehe GGavel.avel. John Plumidis (until November 2008) Lisa Quilty IIt’st’s beenbeen a fantasticfantastic year,year, especiallyespecially withwith suchsuch anan energeticenergetic Nathalie Shepherd ccommitteeommittee andand ofof coursecourse wewe havehave beenbeen assistedassisted byby allall ofof Ting Yuan tthehe staffstaff atat thethe LawLaw SocietySociety throughoutthroughout thethe year,year, butbut a veryvery Liana Westcott sspecialpecial thankthank youyou mustmust gogo toto JocelynJocelyn andand KathleenKathleen forfor theirtheir Jocelyn Campbell (Committee Administrator) eeveryvery ccheerfulheerful aandnd sstudioustudious aassistance.ssistance. FFredred LLesterester ((Chair)Chair) TThehe YYoungoung LLawyers’awyers’ CCommitteeommittee hhasas hhadad a ripsnorterripsnorter ofof a ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 18 Treasurer’s Report 2008/09 Financial Statements I am pleased to present the Annual Report on the Society’s Accounts for 2008/09. 1. General Account This account covers the income and expenditure relating to the general operations of the Society. 2. Statutory Deposits Trust Account This account comprises deposits of solicitors’ trust moneys lodged with the Society to earn interest which is paid into the Statutory Interest Account. 3. Statutory Interest Account This account is used to accumulate interest earned on funds deposited in the Statutory Deposits Trust Account together with interest earned on the balances in solicitors’ trust accounts. From it grants are made to support the Legal Aid Commission and other legal aid services. The costs of disciplinary proceedings are paid from this account. 4. Solicitors’ Fidelity Fund The Fidelity Fund exists to meet any claims by clients for compensation in respect of loss arising from a solicitor’s failure to account for trust funds or other valuable property. The costs of random inspections, investigations and the appointment of managers are met from this Fund. General Account The General Account recorded a surplus of $62,138 which increased the Society’s accumulated funds to $936,983 as at 30 June 2009. This very satisfactory result was largely due to increased revenue from practising certifi cate fees as a result of an increased number of practitioner members. In view of the economic downturn, Council will continue to closely monitor all expenditure. At this stage it appears that the Society is unlikely to record a surplus for the 2009/10 fi nancial year. Statutory Deposits Trust Account Total deposits at 30 June 2009 amounted to over $9.4 million, a decrease of 5% on the previous year. It will be noted from the statement of cash fl ows that this decrease was due to additional deposits totalling $2,881,670 less repayments of deposits amounting to $3,386,325. Statutory Interest Account The Statutory Interest Account derives its income from interest on solicitors’ statutory deposits, interest on the balance in solicitors’ trust accounts, and from the investment of the funds held in the Statutory Interest Account itself. The income of the Account of $2,304,997 was a decrease of 20% on the previous year, due largely to the sharp decline in interest rates. Council has decided that an amount of $1,765,000 will be made available during 2009/10 for grants to the Legal Aid Commission and other community legal aid organisations. This is approximately 7% less than the 2008/09 grants total of $1,900,000. Solicitors’ Fidelity Fund The accumulated funds of the Fidelity Fund increased by $200,185 to a total of $4,660,022 as at 30 June 2009.

It is again pleasing to note that the Society has not been required to pay compensation as a result of a defalcation since 1999.

Bill Coombes Treasurer

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 19 The Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory

Financial Statements 30 June 2009