All QLS News Headlines
On Thursday 26 April, Queensland Law Society launched our new-look QLS Update. Our signature enewsletter now incorporates PD News and Legislation Update to provide a streamlined and engaging publication that is easier to navigate and read.
Here is an excerpt of Geoffrey Robertson's presentation at Symposium as broadcast on the Big Ideas segment on ABC’s Radio National.
The QLS Ethics Centre advises that on 1 June 2012 the Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules (ASCR) commence. The ASCR will replace the Solicitors Rule 2007. The rules are designed to be the first set of uniform professional conduct rules for Australia. Queensland is the second State to notify the commencement.
Attend the In Focus: Introduction to the Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2012 on 10 May (also available via videoconference) to hear more about how the new Rules will apply in practice. Designed to introduce the new rules, an expert panel will explore proposed changes including paramount duty and other fundamental ethical duties, duty to effectively communicate with a client to permit the client to make informed choices, resolution of concurrent conflicts of duties, client documents and liens over essential documents.
Queensland Law Society is improving its call response service to help
members, stakeholders and the public quickly receive accurate
information. Currently, the Society has a two-person contact centre for
members and non-members and there are two separate phone numbers for
legal professionals and members of the public
Please note that due to building power maintenance works at Law Society
House both the QLS and Lexon websites will be unavailable from 5pm
Friday 23 March until mid-Sunday 25 March.
The Professional Standards Councils, who oversee schemes such as the QLS Limitation of Liability Scheme, are undertaking research on the impacts of Professional Standards legislation (which enabled the scheme). Please support their research by reading the below and completing the survey.
Access the information sheet.
The Civil Partnerships Act 2011 (“the Act”) was passed by the
Queensland Parliament in late 2011. The Act allows a couple, regardless
of sex, to enter into a civil partnership, subject to eligibility
criteria.
Due to building power maintenance works at Law Society House both the QLS and Lexon websites will be unavailable from 5pm Friday 10 February until late Sunday 12 February.
Emails sent to QLS during this time will queue and be delivered to recipients at the end of the outage. Lexon emails will be unaffected.
The Personal Property Securities Register (the Register) and the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA) will come into operation on 30 January 2012. The PPSA will apply to the release of security interests over personal property on and from that day. Land is not personal property under the PPSA and the PPSA does not apply to interests in fixtures.
The new versions of the standard REIQ House & Residential Land and Residential Lots in a Body Corporate contracts have now been approved for release on Monday 5 December 2011.
Queensland Law Society is on the front foot in the lead-up to the next election, sending 11 priority legal profession issues to the ALP and LNP.
The Federal Attorney-General has issued a formal
Determination and
Explanatory Statement setting out the following times for the commencement of the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR).
A reminder that the QLS Annual General Meeting will be held on
Wednesday, 16 November 2011, at Law Society House, 179 Ann Street,
Brisbane, commencing at 5.30pm.
We are pleased to announce the results of the Queensland Law Society 2012-13 Council elections. Congratulations to all those who have been elected. It has been great to see the innovative ways our candidates engaged with the membership and embraced the new and different methods of getting their campaign messages across.
Queensland Law Society members are invited to join one of our 2012 policy committees that provide specialised advice and advocate for members’ rights and interests.
Voting
is now open in the Queensland Law Society 2011 Council elections and
all members are encouraged to have their say at this crucial time in the
profession’s history.
From
Monday 29 August, changes to the Child Protection Act 1999 will come in
force with the introduction of the Child Protection and Other Acts
Amendment Act 2010.
On
1 September 2011 the Uniform Civil Procedure (Fees) and Other
Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2011 will commence.
Queensland Law Society’s 2011/12 strategic plan has just been released, providing a blueprint for future member service.
Queensland Law Society is now calling for nominations for the Agnes
McWhinney Award, which acknowledges outstanding professional or
community contribution by a woman lawyer who has practised as a
solicitor.
The QLS Council e-elections site is up and running, shaped to meet
members’ needs with the latest election information and resources.
Queensland Law Society is determined that the voice of legal practitioners is heard at the next State election.
This week Queensland Law Society released a critical report (PDF 2.6MB) on
elder abuse following public consultation which highlighted a wide array
of concerns with this growing problem.
The Queensland Law Society's Legal Services Award Guide
has been updated to include new minimum wages and meal allowances set
by Fair Work Australia effective from 1 July 2011. There have also been
changes to wages for traineeships incorporated into the Legal Services
Award 2010 available on the Fair Work Australia website.
With the start of the new financial year, now is a great time
for Queensland Law Society members to access the free Business development and marketing
guide, containing great ideas for building your
business.
Queensland Law Society is proud to launch the inaugural
Queensland Law Society Advocacy Annual! The 2010/11 Advocacy Annual
provides an overview of the most important issues tackled by the Society
in the 2010 calendar year and the beginning of 2011 sorted by areas of
legal practice. The briefs cover the issues’ backgrounds, actions
conducted and outcomes achieved.
Queensland Law Society stated today recent media regarding legal costs
referred to an isolated incident and that, on the whole, solicitors kept
costs fair and just.
Queensland Law Society has published a practice guidance
document in
response to queries about completing the new REIQ disclosure statements,
in particular the new requirements in sections 206(2)(b) and 213(2)(a)
of the Body Corporate and
Community Management Act 1997 (BCCMA) which
describes the extent to which the levies are based on contribution
schedule lot entitlements and interest schedule lot entitlements. The
document is useful for completing these
disclosures.
Build your personal professional profile and your organisation’s
reputation – submissions for the July, August and September editions of
Proctor are now welcome.
Looking for something different to do 16-22 May? There’s a cavalcade of fabulous activities on offer during Law Week for everyone to enjoy.
Queensland Law Society’s new trust account compliance reviews, starting 1
July 2011, will help law practices comply with their legislative record
keeping requirements and ensure good trust account management
practices.
The Body Corporate and Community Management
and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 became law on 14 April 2011 after the changes received Royal Assent. Queensland Law Society has developed Body Corporate legislation
information regarding major aspects of this
legislative change.
Queensland Law Society members have the chance to make an extraordinary difference to a special non-profit and help choose the Society’s Charity of Choice for 2011/12.
Initiated by the Queensland Law Society and the Bar Association of
Queensland, legal practitioner access cards are now a permanent feature
of the Brisbane Law Courts Complex.
Nominations are now open for the Queensland Law Society 2011
Equity and Diversity Award. The award aims to encourage all Queensland
legal practices to promote staff diversity and accommodate lifestyle
needs.
Queensland Law Society has updated its Introductory Guide to the Legal Services Award.
A new Queensland Law Society calculation tool helps law practices calculate their Prescribed Account Deposit, due on or before 21 January each year.
Applications are now open for Queensland Law Society members to make a difference and apply to join the Free Legal Advice Panel.
The Queensland Government's new swimming pool safety compliance regime comes into effect on 1 December 2010. To assist with the transition, the fourth edition of the Residential Lots in a CTS contract and the eighth edition of the House and Residential Land contract for contracts formed on and from 1 December 2010 are now available. If you have any issues accessing the new contracts, please call QLS’ call centre on 3842 5888.
On Friday 10 December 2010, responsibilities held by the Queensland Law
Society’s Client Relations Centre will be transferred to the Legal
Services Commission (LSC).
Queensland Law Society has published
valuable information
regarding the new Pool Safety Certificate disclosure
regime.
The Family Law Amendment Regulations 2010 (No.2) will take effect from 1 November 2010.
Queensland Law Society calls for comments on the new tax system for managed investment trust discussion paper.
The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) has advised of procedures to take effect from 1 November 2010 when the QIRC assumes responsibility for appeals against review decisions of Q-Comp under the Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction Reform and Modernisation Amendment Act 2010.
Judge Fleur Kingham was awarded the Queensland Law Society Agnes McWhinney Award for her contribution to access to justice.
Amendments to the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 and the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 made by the Property Agents and Motor Dealers and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 commenced today, 1 October 2010.
Queensland Law Society has developed an introduction to transitional arrangements for the Property Agents and Motor Dealers and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010.
The new Act changes the way land valuations are determined.
Queensland Law Society ensures flexible post-settlement period is included in pool safety reforms passed on 15 September 2010.
Our charity of choice, the Heart Foundation, is conducting the 10-week Go Red for Women challenge.
The Land Valuation Bill 2010 has been introduced after the Government's close consultation with Queensland Law Society.
Queensland Law Society has released guidance material that outlines the transition to the changes to the financial jurisdiction of the civil courts.
The start dates of the staged introduction of the Moynihan reforms have been proclaimed - with some introduced from 1 September 2010.
Queensland Law Society members can obtain a special access card for the Brisbane Law Courts complex.
Queensland Treasurer confirms the Queensland Government does not intend to license conveyancers.
The Property Agents and Motor Dealers and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, which amends the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 and the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997, was passed in State Parliament last night.
The Property Agents and Motor Dealers and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 currently before Parliament will commence on 1 October 2010.
Queensland Law Society has lodged its submission to the National Legal Profession Reform Taskforce in response to the draft Bill and Rules.
The Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction Reform and Modernisation Amendment Bill was passed by Parliament on 3 August 2010.
Queensland Law Society has successfully lobbied Government for amendments to the Integrity Act 2009 to assist legal practitioners in dealing with government agencies.
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.
Amendments to the Franchising Code announced by Minister Craig Emerson on 4 June 2010 come into force today.
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.
Queenslanders are invited to comment on draft national conduct rules for lawyers during a two-month consultation period.
A discussion paper has been launched about how the legal system can better protect older Queenslanders from abuse.
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.
The national Legal Aid Matters campaign aims to improve access to justice for all Australians.
The draft national legal profession legislation has been released for public consultation until 13 August 2010.
The Professional Standards Council has approved a Queensland Law Society scheme that will protect members from uncapped damages claims.
WorkCover reforms announced by State Government are in line with Queensland Law Society recommendations.
The closing date for the Australian Institute of Criminology’s anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing survey has been extended until 31 May.
The Governor-General has provided Royal Assent to the Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No.1) 2010.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management now has a mandatory standard terms document for subleases subject to the Land Act 1994 (Qld).
The Juvenile Justice and Other Acts Amendment Act 2009 commenced on 29 March 2010.
The National Consumer Credit Regulation Regime is set to commence operation from 1 July 2010.
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.
The Australian Lawyers’ Ethics website aims to provide lawyers and the public with access to ethics information, tools and resources.
The Civil Liability and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 amends several aspects of common law damages and civil liability threshold amounts.
The extension of anti-money laundering legislation to the legal profession is being reconsidered by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department.
The QLS has undertaken successful advocacy in relation to a Bill, which proposed a major change to land valuations.
The QLS has liaised with the Office of State Revenue to resolve the legal profession’s concerns.
Law practices have until 31 March 2010 to ensure they comply with the new Legal Services Commission guidelines.
Proposed reforms to the Queensland justice system could remove the right to a trial by jury, lead to miscarriages of justice and increase costs.
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.
Queensland’s own chamber orchestra, the Camerata of St John’s, will perform in the Banco Court on 5 March 2010.
The Queensland Government’s 2010 Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Awards are now open for nominations.
The ASIC regional stakeholder liaison meetings are your chance to raise issues of importance to you.
The QLS congratulates those practitioners who completed the specialist accreditation assessment in 2009.
From 1 January 2010, the Legal Aid Queensland criminal law funding guidelines were amended.
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.
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.
A major conference on constitutional law will be held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Friday 19 February.
What is happening with the launch of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and how will it affect you?
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.
Legal practitioners should note regulatory changes to building and construction law that will impact on the advice they give to consumers and contractors.
Members wishing to join any of the QLS policy sections and committees are invited to submit expressions of interest for participation in 2010.
The new QLS website offers a clean look, better navigation and fresh content.
Having problems with inconsistent results from the Brisbane City Council online rates tool? We have some answers.
Victims of crime have new rights under the "Victim Assist Queensland" scheme from December 1.
