LCA welcomes new CEO

The Law Council of Australia is pleased to welcome Michael Tidball as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Tidball previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Law Society of New South Wales, a position he had held for nearly 14 years. For the last five years, he has also served as Secretary-General of LAWASIA. In addition to his experiences working in professional services, he has worked in strategic management and senior advisory roles in both government and business sectors. Read more.

Modern Slavery Act
The Law Council of Australia, guided by its Business and Human Rights Committee, have collaborated with the Association of Corporate Counsel to release a new fact sheet to help businesses understand their reporting requirements under the Modern Slavery Act. Read more.

Litigation funding and the regulation of the class action industry
On 29 July 2020, the Law Council appeared before the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services as part of its Inquiry into Litigation Funding and the Regulation of the Class Action Industry. Read more.

Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 (Cth)
On 27 July 2020, the Law Council appeared at a public hearing of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, as part of its inquiry into the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 (Cth) (TOLA Act). Read more.

IBA Mental Wellbeing Survey
The International Bar Association has developed a global project which focuses on addressing mental health in the legal profession around the world. The first phase of the project consists of two global surveys – one for individual lawyers, the other for law firms and other legal institutions, including bar associations, law societies and in-house legal departments. For more information about the project or to participate in the surveys, visit the IBA website.

2020 John Koowarta Scholarship Round open
Applications for the 2020 John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship are still open. The Scholarship is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in an approved course of study for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. Applications close 8 September 2020. For further information or to apply visit the LCA website.

Advocacy

Inquiries and consultations as of 12 August 2020.

Inquiry into foreign investment proposals, Parliamentary Senate Standing Committees on Economics (supplementary submission).
Insurance Inquiry, Australia Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.
Phase 2 of the Review of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) Act, National Indigenous Australians Agency.
Inquiry into the human rights of women and girls in the Pacific, Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.
Inquiry into the destruction of 46,000 year old caves at the Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia.
Interim Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
Refresh of the Commissioner's Interpretation Statement: Housing, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
Refresh of the Commissioner's Interpretation Statement: Public Benevolent Institutions, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
Litigation funding and the regulation of the class action industry, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services (supplementary submission).
2020-21 Pre-Budget Submissions, The Treasury.
News media bargaining code, Australian Competition & Consumer Commissio.
Review of Managed Investment Schemes Uniform General Rules 91A-91D: Revised Guidance Material, Legal Services Council.
Review of AFP Powers, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
Review of ‘Declared Areas’ Provisions, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, Royal Commission.
A new National Disability Strategy – Stage 2 consultations, Department of Social Services.
An Investigation into the effectiveness of ATO communications of taxpayers' rights to complain, review and appeal, Inspector-General of Taxation.
Review into the Framework of Religious Exemptions in Anti-discrimination Legislation, Australian Law Reform Commission.
Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Attorney-General's Department.

News and Media

Media releases and statements:

Proposed legislation tars all in detention centres with same brush, 11 August 2020.
Australia a key player against human trafficking, 4 August 2020.

Key coverage:

‘Proposed legislation would put all in detention centres with same brush': LCA, Lawyers Weekly, 12 August 2020.
Calls for federal body to handle allegations against judges grow louder, The Australian, 5 August 2020.
Australia a key player against human trafficking, National Tribune, 4 August 2020.
Justice targets are a ‘wish list' that lack real ambition, legal bodies say, Lawyers Weekly, 3 August 2020.

Events

August

18 August 2020 - ILS International Law and Practice Course 2020 Lecture Two: The impact of the Paris Agreement on climate change litigation
Host: International Law Section
Time: 5.00pm - 6.30pm AEST
Location: Webinar via Zoom
18 August 2020 - Indigenous incarceration and the Northern Territory: Progress made since the Royal Commission into the Detention and Protection of Children in the Northern Territory
Host: Law Council of Australia
Time: 5.00pm - 6.30pm AEST
Location: Webinar via Zoom
18 August 2020 - Alternative Dispute Resolution in the New Normal - The Steady Rise of Arbitration and Mediation
Host: LAWASIA
Time: 6.00pm - 7.00pm AEST
Location: Webinar