The Law Society of NSW

Just Chat podcast - Dr Louise Buckingham Louise Buckingham is CEO of Arts Law, Australia’s only community legal centre for artists and arts organisations. As creative industries face multiple headwinds, Louise discusses the impact of technology, how legal matters can be overwhelming for young artists and the vital role of pro bono lawyers. Listen here https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.ploom.ly/FXoPQU4

The Chief Magistrate of the Local Court of NSW has published an important update for practitioners regarding the interim arrangements for appearances at the Downing Centre Local Court following the recent flooding and temporary closure. Read the latest here: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/gezuuJf4

Ready to put your cards on the table? Join us for the next instalment of our Productivity in Practice series on Wednesday 6 August, and learn the secret strategies of top negotiators. Walk away with the mindset and tools to handle any conversation with clarity, confidence and control. Hosted by executive coach and behavioural expert Dani Bennett, with 35+ years of experience helping professionals negotiate with impact. Learn more and register: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/eNV7kC9N #NegotiationSkills #ProductivityInPractice #ProfessionalGrowth

As a dog-lover, the last two days of ‘swearings-in’ for the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia new Court Dogs, Molly, Lani and Sunny have bordered on the magical.   These dogs, specially trained by Guide Dogs Australia, will bring comfort and affection into the often stressful atmosphere of a court room, assisting vulnerable witnesses as they give evidence.   I’m so grateful to the Chief Justice of the FCFCOA the Hon. Will Alstergren for approaching The Law Society of NSW’s President of last year, Brett McGrath to help fund the expansion of this amazing program into the Parramatta, CBD and Newcastle Registries of the Court.   Justice Alstergren told staff and friends of the Court Dog Program at Sunny’s swearing in at Newcastle today, the clearer, more confident evidence witnesses can deliver with the benefit of one of these dogs, is resulting in fewer adjournments – and therefore leading to more efficient justice.   I’m so please that the Council of the Law Society agreed to this request without hesitation. It’s a fine example of the legal profession’s support for the community of which I’m extraordinarily proud. 

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR PRACTITIONERS IN SYDNEY NSW Department of Communities and Justice

It was an absolute thrill to be present at the ‘swearing-in’ of Molly at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Registry at Parramatta this morning.   Molly is the first of three Court Dogs to be appointed to the FCFCOA, with Lani to be sworn in at the court’s CBD registry this afternoon and Sunny to be sworn in tomorrow at the court’s registry at Newcastle.   As I said this morning, the swearing in of these dogs marks the opening page of another chapter in the long story of how humanity has relied on animals, not just to serve our needs, but to be so much more: to provide moments of relieve, and joy, and moments of love.   I’m grateful to Chief Justice the Hon. Will Alstergren for approaching The Law Society of NSW to fund the expansion of the FCFCOA’s Court Dog Program to NSW. Our Council agreed without hesitation. The companionship Court Dogs will provide to court users, including vulnerable witnesses, will alleviate significant stress, and enable them to give clearer, better evidence.   Keep an eye on the TV news tonight for more news about this wonderful program.

Thank you to those who joined us bright and early at the 2025 NSW Young Lawyers Golden Gavel competition! 🏆 Congratulations to Liam Fairgrieve, our 2025 Golden Gavel Winner, and Andrew Bell, who took home the Sparke Helmore People's Choice Award. We’re grateful to everyone who attended, cheered, and laughed along with our brave and witty finalists. We look forward to seeing you next year. #GoldenGavel #NSWYL

Sydney's Downing Centre court complex is now anticipated to remain closed until at least late 2025, following significant flooding caused by a burst Sydney Water main on 17 June. Learn more: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/g5dqAixE

The Law Society of NSW welcomes the recent Report from Parliament of NSW’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on proposals to increase voter engagement, participation and confidence.     Voter confidence is fundamental to the strength of democratic institutions and the rule of law. An informed electorate is more likely to support democratic institutions when they are performing well, and to call them to account when they fall short.     I’m particularly pleased that several recommendations of the Joint Committee reflected proposals raised in the Law Society’s submission to the Inquiry.     These include the establishment of a mandatory civics education curriculum, funding to improve civics and electoral literacy, and broadening accessibility to voting to diverse groups.     These steps are pivotal to ensuring greater citizen engagement in our democratic process.    Our submission also addressed the need for the digital resilience and integrity of NSW elections, as well as measures to combat misinformation and disinformation.    I thank the Law Society’s Public Law and Indigenous Law Committees for their invaluable work on our submission and the Chair of our Public Law Committee, Graeme Johnson, and Public Law Committee member, Andrew Chalk, who appeared at the Joint Committee’s public hearing.    One of the Law Society’s most important roles is as a trusted voice to Government, providing expert legal perspectives on wide range of law reform issues. We look forward to examining in detail NSW Government’s response to this important report when it’s handed down later this year.    #voting #publiclaw #indigenouslaw #lawsocietynsw #voterconfidence #democracy #nswparliament #civics

It was great to join a formidable crowd at NSW Parliament House on Wednesday night to commemorate a century since the state’s first female solicitor Marie Byles was admitted, and to celebrate the bright future of women in the profession.   NSW Governor, her Excellency Margaret Beazley AC KC, spoke about Marie’s extensive legal achievements, as well as the obstacles she faced, including paying double the usual amount for her articles of clerkship compared to her male counterparts.   Yet as Governor Beazley said so eloquently, Marie’s story is “the story of all of us … and in particular, the stories of those early women in the profession who made it possible for those who followed.”   NSW Attorney General Michael Daley also addressed the event to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of women in the legal profession, noting that more than half the NSW graduates in law and solicitors are women.   The event also showcased ongoing research on gender equality in law, a crucial component of the “Next 100 Years Project.” This collaborative research, led by Professor Mimi Zou, Head of the School of Private & Commercial Law at UNSW, aims to inform policy and practice for future progress.   You can read a full report of the event on LSJ Online here: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/gqRWGfjq Here at the Law Society of NSW, Marie’s name was recorded as a member on 11 June 1925 c/- Henry Davis & Co., in our Register of Members 1884 – 1948.