Information for the legal profession on
COVID-19 outbreak

We will continue to monitor and update the legal profession with the latest news regarding COVID-19. 

Australasian Law Management Journal

The latest edition of the Australasian Law Management Journal is about maximising firm performance during the shut-down period. Read more.

Updates from the Family Court and
Federal Circuit Court

Guide for Practitioners and Litigants to Virtual Hearings and Microsoft Teams

Due to the vast majority of appearances in the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia being conducted electronically, a guide on the technical aspects of these appearances has been developed. Read more. 

The Courts have a dedicated page for all COVID-19 related information for the profession at the following:

• http://www.federalcircuitcourt.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/fccweb/about/covid/covid-profession/
• http://www.familycourt.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/fcoaweb/about/covid/covid-profession/

Updates from the Federal Court

In efforts to address challenges that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guide to Good Practice on the Use of Video-Link under the Evidence Convention will be made available to the public at no charge on the HCCH website.       

A link to the guide is available here.

You can also read the latest updates from the Federal Court here.

Retailers granted authorisation to collectively
negotiate with landlords

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted interim authorisation allowing retailers to collectively bargain with landlords about rent relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more. 

JobKeeper

Employers need to take steps now to be eligible for the first round of JobKeeper. Payments which will be paid from the first week of May 2020. Read more. 

For more information on the JobKeeper Payment, click here.

Coronavirus app and Whatsapp channel

The Australian Government has also released a Coronavirus app and Whatsapp channel. The app is available on both Android and iPhones. To access the Whatsapp channel, you can go to the website. 

Generally for more information on Coronavirus and the government’s response, please visit: www.treasury.gov.au/coronavirus or www.australia.gov.au.

Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Support

The ATO has set up an Emergency Support Infoline - 1800 806 218. 

Jobs Hub website

The Federal Government has launched a site – Jobs Hub – which lists all available jobs on the internet, in a bid to help Australians out of work because of coronavirus. Read more.