No Images? Click here Friday Facts on a Thursday – 18 April 2019 The Law Society Supports the National Reconciliation Week BreakfastAs part of its commitment to reconciliation, the Law Society is proud to support Reconciliation WA's National Reconciliation Week Breakfast, taking place on Friday, 31 May at Crown Towers, Burswood. This year's National Reconciliation Week has the theme 'Grounded in Truth – Walk Together with Courage'. This theme signifies that to promote positive race relations, the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the broader community must be grounded in a foundation of truth, a journey which requires all of us to 'walk together with courage'. Law Society members and member firms are invited to attend the National Reconciliation Week Breakfast to explore this theme on Friday, 31 May. AnnouncementsLaw Society Paper on Injury Insurance Claims HarvestingIn recent years, Western Australia has experienced an increase in an activity known as ‘claims harvesting’ (also referred to as ‘claim farming’) in relation to injury insurance claims. The Law Society recently published a briefing paper on the issue, which includes a reminder for practitioners of their obligations under rule 6 and rule 45(1) of the Legal Profession Conduct Rules, and can be accessed via our website. Law Council of Australia – Call to PartiesAs the 2019 Federal Election approaches, the Law Council of Australia's 'Call to Parties' outlines the important areas in which the Law Council believes there is a need to improve law and policy for the betterment of the Australian community, democracy and the legal profession. Law Council of Australia Business Law Section ScholarshipsThe Law Council of Australia Business Law Section is offering the Santow Scholarship, Gaire Blunt Scholarship and Forsyth/Pose Scholarship, which each provide prizes for papers on various areas of law. Applications must be submitted to the Law Council of Australia by 5.00pm on 30 August 2019. Law Reform Commission of WA – Project 111 Review of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA)Call for Preliminary Submissions on the Exceptions The Attorney General of Western Australia has referred to the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia a project (Project 111) to review and make recommendations on possible reform to the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA). »Read more Corporations Amendment (Strengthening Protections for Employee Entitlements) Act 2019The Corporations Amendment (Strengthening Protections for Employee Entitlements) Act 2019 was passed on 4 April and received Royal assent on 5 April. The Act amends the Corporations Act 2001 to strengthen enforcement and recovery options to deter and penalise company directors and other persons who engage in, or facilitate, transactions that are aimed at preventing, avoiding or significantly reducing employer liability for employee entitlements in insolvency; to enable the recovery of unpaid employee entitlements of an insolvent company from certain entities in limited circumstances; and to enable the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to disqualify company directors and other officers (either directly or on application to the Court), where they have a track record of corporate contraventions and inappropriately using the Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme to pay outstanding employee entitlements. For Country LawyersCPD Day for Rural, Regional and Remote PractitionersFriday, 17 May 2019 | 8.30am – 5.20pm | Parmelia Hilton, Perth After a successful first year, the Law Society is once again hosting a CPD day for RRR lawyers in Perth during Law Week 2019. Acknowledging the tyranny of distance, this CPD day is offered free for Country members of the Law Society and heavily discounted for Country non-members at $200 for the entire day and provides 6 CPD Points across all four competencies. EventsLaw Week Awards NightFriday, 17 May 2019 | 5.30pm – 8.00pm As Law Week comes to a close, join the legal profession for an evening of recognition, as we celebrate law and justice and honour lawyers who make a difference in our community. The Law Week Awards Night provides an opportunity to acknowledge those that have made a significant contribution in their legal careers to improving the course of justice. Join us, as we reveal the recipients of the much anticipated 2019 Lawyer of the Year Awards. The Life and Music of Dom Rosendo SalvadoWednesday, 15 May 2019 | 5.00pm – 7.00pm The New Norcia mission was founded in March 1846. By late April, the community had exhausted their provisions and was at risk of starvation. Spanish missionary Dom Rosendo Salvado and an Aboriginal companion walked 130 kilometres from the Victoria Plains to Perth to speak to Bishop Brady about their desperate situation. It was decided that a piano recital would be held at the Old Court House to raise money and on the evening of 1 May 1846, Salvado gave a three hour piano recital to a packed audience. Join us at the Old Court House Law Museum for an evening of music, drinks and canapés as Father Robert Nixon, who currently resides at New Norcia, gives his own recital of Salvado’s music and chats about his remarkable life and achievements. The Museum will also be hosting a new temporary exhibition showcasing many rare and interesting objects related to Salvado and his life; these are on loan from New Norcia. With thanks to Law Week supporters and sponsors: Inter-Profession Networking EventWednesday, 22 May 2019 | 5.30pm – 7.30pm Join the Law Society’s Young Lawyers Committee and other young professionals on 22 May at our next Inter-Profession Networking Event. Networking is an important part of life as a young professional, so come along and strengthen your skills in a fun and friendly environment. The event will include a guest speaker who will talk about forming connections and the importance of building a network early on in your career. Registration is only $20 and includes canapés and refreshments, and the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals. Numbers are limited, so book now! Continuing Professional DevelopmentWestern Australia Police Force – Body Worn Camera ProgramMonday, 6 May 2019 | 12.30pm – 2.00pm This seminar is also streamed live as a webinar The use of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) by law enforcement personnel is becoming increasingly prevalent. WA Police recently announced that it will implement a staged rollout of body cameras in June 2019 with the goal of outfitting all front-line police officers with cameras by 2021. Join Jade Smith, Program Director – Digital Policing Program, Western Australia Police Force at this Law Society seminar, which will provide important information surrounding the rollout of devices, capabilities and anticipated opportunities that this foundational project will offer. Membership PrivilegesRed BalloonRed Balloon is Australia’s leading experience gifts retailer with over 3,500 experiences to choose from. From relaxing getaways to adrenaline-fueled activities, Law Society members can enjoy savings across a wide range of awesome experiences. Receive $20 off when you spend $79 or more, or receive $30 off when you spend $129 or more. Visit redballoon.com.au for more information. Visit the members’ only privileges page (password protected) to access the discount code. We Want Your FeedbackDo you know of a business that would be interested in joining our Membership Privileges Programme? Is there a product or service you would like to be added to our Membership Privileges? If you have any feedback or suggestions, please email membership@lawsocietywa.asn.au. To access the members only privileges page, use password: 2019LawSociety Pro BonoAll applicants have been means tested and assessed by Law Access as being vulnerable people with great difficulty self-representing. If you are able to provide any assistance, please email lawaccess@lawaccess.net.au.
Easter and ANZAC Day HolidaysThe Law Society's offices will be closed on Friday, 19 April and Monday, 22 April for the Easter public holidays. The Society's offices will also be closed from 5.00pm on Wednesday, 24 April 2019, for the ANZAC Day public holiday, and will reopen on Monday, 29 April at 8.30am. There will be no Friday Facts next week. Friday Facts will return on 3 May 2019. The Law Society wishes all members a happy and peaceful break. |