Law Council of Australia Strategic Plan
2021-2026

Over the past six months and under the guidance of the Chief Executive Officer, the Law Council has undertaken a consultative process with key stakeholders, to develop a new five-year Strategic Plan (2021-2026).

The five-year Strategic Plan provides a blueprint and delivers objectives for the organisation, recognising that the Law Council of Australia seeks to advance the charter and success of law societies, bar associations and Law Firms Australia. It further recognises that the Sections are an integral part of the policymaking and representative machinery of the organisation.

The Strategic Plan seeks to ground the strategy for the Law Council in the principles which reflect the rule of law and the enduring ethical foundations of the legal profession. Importantly, the strategic plan seeks to give expression to the Law Council role as the vital connect point with the international legal profession.

A copy of the new strategy plan can be found here.

Court shows sexual harassment will not be tolerated
The Law Council of Australia acknowledges the statement of the Chief Justice and Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia in relation to two complaints against a Judge of that Court. Read more.

Australia urged to take measures to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Australia’s appearance at the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday 8 July, in which a formal response to the recommendations received during the third cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will be presented, puts a spotlight on Indigenous rights during NAIDOC Week. Read more.

Statement to the 47th UN Human Rights Council
On 28 June 2021, Law Council President, Dr Jacoba Brasch QC, presented an oral statement before the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, as part of the 47th UN Human Rights Council. The statement, presented on behalf of the Law Council and the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute, asked the Special Rapporteur to investigate the misuse of sanctions against lawyers and related entities. Watch here.

Policy Statement - Process of Judicial Appointments
An updated version of the Law Council's Policy Statement on the Process of Judicial Appointments is now available online. This Policy addresses the key processes and principles which the Law Council considers should govern the appointment of judicial officers in the Federal Courts and Tribunals of Australia. This Policy is designed to ensure transparency in Federal judicial appointments and diversity in Australia’s judicial officers.

Migration Agents Instruments Review
The Migration Law Committee of the Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section provided a submission to Department of Home Affairs in response to the Consultation Report of the Migration Agents Instruments Review. Read the submission here.

BLS Podcast Episode Six
The latest episode of the BLS Report, Episode Six: ESG in M&A and Investments, is now available online. The BLS Report is a podcast series dedicated to the late Professor Robert (‘Bob’) Baxt. Listen here.

International Bar Association - recent media releases
The International Bar Association has recently spoken out on issues relating to judicial accountability, Hong Kong’s Apple Daily newspaper and the eyeWitness project. See media releases below.

LCA Submissions

Recently published Law Council Submissions.

Supplementary submission: Review of the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Section Submissions

Recently published Section Submissions.

Migration Agents Instruments Review, Department of Home Affairs, (Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section)

Inquiries and consultations

As of 7 July 2021.

(Supplementary) Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
Review of Judicial Impartiality, Australian Law Reform Commission.
National Register of Enduring Powers of Attorney, Attorney-General's Department.
Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Bill 2021, Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee.
Courts and Tribunals Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Bill 2021, Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee.
A New Decision-Making Framework for Property Matters in Family Law, Attorney-General's Department.
Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2021/D4 Intangibles Arrangements, Australian Taxation Office.
Using technology to hold meetings and sign and send documents, The Treasury.
Right to Repair, Productivity Commission.
Inquiry into the use of the term good faith in civil penalty and criminal offence provisions in Commonwealth legislation, Attorney-General's Department.
Implementing the successor plan to the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020, Department of Social Services.
Developing the next National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, Department of Social Services.
Review into Division 105A of the Criminal Code, Independent National Security Legislation Monitor.
Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
(Supplementary) Review into the operation of section 22 of the NSI Act as it applies in the 'Alan Johns' matter, Independent National Security Legislation Monitor.

News and Media

Media releases/statements:

Time for consultation on Respect @ Work, 25 June 2021.
Call for tighter reins on powers in an emergency, 5 July 2021.
Australia urged to take measures to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 8 July 2021.
Court shows sexual harassment will not be tolerated, 8 July 2021.

Events

July 2021

15 July 2021 - Class Actions Forum: Capital, Regulation and the Public Interest
Host: Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section and the Australian Academy of Law
Location: Online via Zoom
Time: 5.00PM - 6.45PM
16 July 2021 - Hot Topics in Commonwealth Compensation 2021
Host: Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section
Location: Online via Zoom
Time: 9.00AM - 1.00PM
22 July 2021 - The Authors' Series - A Theory of Mediators’ Ethics: Foundations, Rationale and Application
Host: International Law Section, Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section and the New South Wales Bar Association
Location: Online via Zoom
Time: 5.00PM ‐ 06.00PM

August 2021