All QLS News Headlines

05 July 2010 – Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2010

The Queensland Law Society recently made submissions to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee regarding the Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2010, which proposes to implement sanctions that may have a practical impact on legal practitioners who engage in transactions that involve international entities.

01 July 2010 – Franchising Code updated and commencing 1 July 2010

Amendments to the Franchising Code announced by Minister Craig Emerson on 4 June 2010 come into force today.

29 June 2010 – Updates to standard REIQ House & Residential Land and Residential Lots in a Community Titles Scheme contracts

The REIQ and the Queensland Law Society have agreed to amendments to the standard REIQ House & Residential Land and Residential Lots in a Community Titles Scheme contracts.

21 June 2010 – Consultation on conduct rules for lawyers begins

Queenslanders are invited to comment on draft national conduct rules for lawyers during a two-month consultation period.

17 June 2010 – Elder abuse: How well does the law in Queensland cope?

A discussion paper has been launched about how the legal system can better protect older Queenslanders from abuse.

15 June 2010 – Workers' compensation reforms to commence 1 July

The Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 was passed by the Queensland Parliament on 9 June 2010 and will begin on 1 July.

25 May 2010 – National Legal Assistance and Access to Justice Campaign

The national Legal Aid Matters campaign aims to improve access to justice for all Australians.

25 May 2010 – Find out more about Legal Profession National Law

The draft national legal profession legislation has been released for public consultation until 13 August 2010.

30 April 2010 – Queensland Law Society scheme set to cap liability

The Professional Standards Council has approved a Queensland Law Society scheme that will protect members from uncapped damages claims.

29 April 2010 – WorkCover reforms reflect Society advocacy

WorkCover reforms announced by State Government are in line with Queensland Law Society recommendations.

27 April 2010 – Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing survey of legal practices extended

The closing date for the Australian Institute of Criminology’s anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing survey has been extended until 31 May.

20 April 2010 – Australian Consumer Law and the new Unfair Contract Terms Law

The Governor-General has provided Royal Assent to the Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No.1) 2010.

13 April 2010 – Mandatory standard terms document for subleases subject to the Land Act 1994 (Qld)

The Department of Environment and Resource Management now has a mandatory standard terms document for subleases subject to the Land Act 1994 (Qld).

07 April 2010 – Changes in juvenile justice come into force

The Juvenile Justice and Other Acts Amendment Act 2009 commenced on 29 March 2010.

07 April 2010 – National credit regime registration period begins

The National Consumer Credit Regulation Regime is set to commence operation from 1 July 2010.

30 March 2010 – Discussion of national reforms at the QLS Vincents’ Symposium

Chief Justice Paul de Jersey AC and Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland MP discuss the need for comprehensive consultation and independence of the legal profession in the national legal profession reform process.

30 March 2010 – New QLS legal ethics website launched

The Australian Lawyers’ Ethics website aims to provide lawyers and the public with access to ethics information, tools and resources.

23 March 2010 – Civil liability changes

The Civil Liability and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 amends several aspects of common law damages and civil liability threshold amounts.

17 March 2010 – Anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing reform

The extension of anti-money laundering legislation to the legal profession is being reconsidered by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department.

17 March 2010 – Valuation of Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010

The QLS has undertaken successful advocacy in relation to a Bill, which proposed a major change to land valuations.

17 March 2010 – QLS liaises with OSR

The QLS has liaised with the Office of State Revenue to resolve the legal profession’s concerns.

17 March 2010 – Personal injury advertising and referral arrangements

Law practices have until 31 March 2010 to ensure they comply with the new Legal Services Commission guidelines.

09 February 2010 – Queenslanders risk losing right to trial by jury

Proposed reforms to the Queensland justice system could remove the right to a trial by jury, lead to miscarriages of justice and increase costs.

08 February 2010 – Legal Careers Expo to highlight diversity of profession

The State’s legal industry will be on show to more than 500 law graduates at the third consecutive Queensland Law Society Legal Careers Expo.

05 February 2010 – Chamber music in the Banco Court

Queensland’s own chamber orchestra, the Camerata of St John’s, will perform in the Banco Court on 5 March 2010.

02 February 2010 – Nominations open for domestic violence prevention awards

The Queensland Government’s 2010 Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Awards are now open for nominations.

18 January 2010 – Have your say at the ASIC regional stakeholder meetings

The ASIC regional stakeholder liaison meetings are your chance to raise issues of importance to you.

14 January 2010 – Congratulations to newly accredited specialists

The QLS congratulates those practitioners who completed the specialist accreditation assessment in 2009.

13 January 2010 – Change in Legal Aid Queensland criminal law funding guidelines

From 1 January 2010, the Legal Aid Queensland criminal law funding guidelines were amended.

05 January 2010 – QLS launches its 48th Annual Vincents' Symposium 2010 program

Discover how to navigate change affecting the legal profession when the Queensland Law Society presents the 48th Annual Vincents’ Symposium 2010 to be held 26-27 March at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

22 December 2009 – Queensland Law Society celebrates professional excellence

Queensland lawyers’ achievements and contributions within the profession and the broader community were celebrated at the recent Queensland Law Society’s annual President’s Christmas Cocktails and Awards ceremony.

30 November 2009 – 2010 Constitutional Law Conference and Dinner

A major conference on constitutional law will be held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Friday 19 February.

10 November 2009 – Transitional information for QCAT commencement December 1

What is happening with the launch of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and how will it affect you?

06 November 2009 – LCA seeks national profession to benefit lawyers and consumers

The Law Council of Australia says that any new uniform system regulating the practice of law in Australia must be structured to preserve the independence of the legal profession and benefit legal services consumers.

06 November 2009 – Changes to building and construction law

Legal practitioners should note regulatory changes to building and construction law that will impact on the advice they give to consumers and contractors.