This session was recorded on 19 March 2024 as part of the Property law: One day intensive - live webinar.

Join industry experts for this full day online program as they discuss a range of issues faced by property lawyers.

Click here to view the full program

Topics include:

Stamp duty and land tax in real property transactions – Andrew Rider, Barrister, Level 22 Chambers

This session will cover the impact of recent legislative and other changes to stamp duty and land tax in real property transactions, including:

• New dutiable transactions
• Aggregation and valuations
• Exemptions and concessions
• Surcharge duty and land tax

Legal ethics for property lawyers – Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Professional Support Unit, The Law Society of NSW

In this session Linden Barnes will consider ethical issues and scenarios relevant to property lawyers.

Leaving no room for error: Best practice drafting for put and call option deeds – Spyridon Augoustinos, Associate, Green & Associates Solicitors

In this session you will learn:  

• About the implications of recent changes to conveyancing regulations and the NSW stamp duty regime and potential pitfalls and alternatives to entering into option deeds that may be relevant to your clients 
• To use precise language when drafting clauses dealing with grantor and grantee obligations  
• To draft favourable clauses for a property developer client entering into a call option arrangement such as extension, nomination, interdependent contracts, caveat, early access and facilitation of DA clauses  
• To draft favourable clauses for option grantors, such as grantee provision of security deposits and option extension fees being paid in addition the purchase price 
• About recent case studies and option deed disputes which reflect the important of precise option drafting. 

Retail leases: cases and developments, Gary Newton, Partner, HWL Ebsworth

This session will cover recent critical conveyancing and property law cases and update on cases overturned on appeal, which include:

• Termination of contract and relief against forfeiture of the deposit
• Pre contract misrepresentation and off the plan cases
• Easement wars
• Agent recovering commission
• Destruction of property before completion

Dispute management: building and construction defects, Anne Fernando, Partner, Sachs Gerace Lawyers

Join Anne Fernando as she examines managing disputes relating to building and construction defects. Topics covered will include:

• Practical guidance on steps to take when building defects are raised
• Common ‘traps’ to avoid in building defects litigation
• Best practice for resolving building disputes fairly and efficiently
• An analysis of relevant case examples.

Litigating with abandon:  the obstacles to obtaining a declaration that an easement has been abandoned, Sydney Jacobs, Barrister, 13 Wentworth Chambers 

In this session on easements, Sydney Jacobs will discuss:  

• Navigating section 89 of the Conveyancing Act 1919 (power of the Court to declare easement abandoned or to modify) and related section 49 of the Real Property Act (Power of the Registrar -General) 
• When to use one pathway other than the other ? What are the rights to appeal such decisions? 
• What is the general judicial attitude to claims that an easement has been abandoned? 
• The presumption in the above legislation that an easement is abandoned if no use for 20 years e.g. What type of conduct constitutes “use“? 
• Recent cases by reference to sketches: Castle v Achdjian [2022] NSWSC ; Sheppard v Smith [2021] NSWSC 1207 and on appeal to the NSWCA in 2022. 
• The effect of Gan v Xie [2023 NSWCA to “gist” evidence as opposed to “direct speech” evidence in these types of matters.

This session was recorded on 12 March 2024 as part of the Elder law, wills and probate: One day intensive – live webinar.

Join this full day intensive program specifically tailored to elder law, wills and estate planning practitioners. Experts specialising in this area will cover many of the thorny issues that you might face in your day-to-day practice. You will leave the day with knowledge of the most current laws and cases and an expanded skill set for driving the continued growth and success of your practice.  

Topics include: 

Wills and superannuation benefits: tax implications and other issues – Mimi Su, Principal, Matthews Folbigg Lawyers

In this session Mimi Su will examine complex issues surrounding superannuation benefits in wills and estates matters. 

Conflicts of interest in elder law, wills and probate matters – Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Professional Support Unit, Law Society of NSW 

In this session Linden Barnes will consider ethical scenarios relating to conflicts of interest that are of relevance to elder law, wills and probate practitioners. 

Estate planning for blended families – Paul Evans, Partner, Makinson d’Apice Lawyers

Blended families, where one or both spouses have children from a prior relationship are today increasingly common. Inevitably, with a blended family situation, there will be a multitude of competing needs and obligations. Skillful estate planning can address those needs and obligations and as far as possible keep conflict within the family to a minimum. 

The presentation will examine types of blended families, provide an understanding of how to tackle your clients' objectives, and the potential for family provision claims. It will also cover possible strategies to include: 

• Outright gifts
•  Mutual wills contracts 
•  Life interests and rights to reside 
•  Superannuation and family trusts 

Give me a sign: a case law update on informal wills – Jennifer Vuu, Senior Associate, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers 

This session will cover: 

• What constitutes an informal will 
• The power of the Court to dispense with the formal requirements for wills 
•  The rise of online documents and other emerging trends in the digital age 
• Practical tips and tricks 

Confidentiality considerations in elder law, estate planning and estate litigation matters – Isabel McLelland, Senior Associate, Teece Hodgson & Ward Solicitors 

The ins and outs of testamentary trusts – Stephen Lynch, Director, Sommerville Legal

Testamentary trusts are an invaluable estate planning tool, but it is critical that you get them right. This session will cover all the dos and don'ts of testamentary trusts, including: 

• The pros and cons of testamentary trusts 
•  The best way to incorporate testamentary trusts into a will 
•  Capacity and ‘knowledge and approval’ issues Income tax, stamp duty and CGT
•  Common pitfalls including variation clauses, changes in trustee and the foreign person rules 

This session was recorded on 14 March 2024 as part of the Key knowledge for commercial lawyers: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar.

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by commercial lawyers legal practitioners, while earning four CPD units.

Topics include:

It’s non-negotiable: navigating unfair terms in small business and consumer agreements – Jennifer Dean, Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery

Recent legislative reforms have created an increased focus on ensuring fairness in standard form contracts used in dealings with small businesses and consumers. This practical session provides an overview of the recent reforms, identifying unfair terms, compliance strategies and key takeaways from regulatory enforcement and case law.

Legal ethics – Paul Monaghan, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Professional Support Unit, The Law Society of NSW

In this session Paul Monaghan will consider ethical issues and scenarios relevant to commercial lawyers.

Proper management of a trust year by year – David Marks KC, Barrister, Inns of Court & Norman Hanna, Barrister, Inns of Court

This session will look at the proper management of a trust - year by year. Quite apart from managing the tax position of a family group or investment structure, the lawyer has a role in ensuring decision-making is in order. The lessons from recent cases like JJ Owies (VSCA), Grand View (UKPC) and Legler (NZCA, NZSC appeal heard) will be addressed. 

This interactive session will discuss strategies for improving decision-making and ensuring that the intended structuring and tax planning actually works.

David Marks KC will also discuss some recent lessons about trust distributions, particularly where there are foreign elements, or unusual types of income and gains.

Wellbeing and commercial practice – Simonette Vaja, Wellbeing Manager, The Law Society of NSW

This session will provide an overview of optimal habits for high performing lawyers, including: 

• Mental Agility – Growth Mindset
• Evidence based best practice habits for mental wellbeing
• Mental Fitness with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction 

This session was recorded on 27 March 2025 as part of the Crucial pointers in contract law: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar.

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current contract law issues faced by legal practitioners, while earning four CPD units.

This course will include four sessions:

Contract drafting tips for preventing disputes – Amanda Comelli, Partner, Brown White Stein Lawyers & Eleanor Arthurson, Associate, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers

In this session, gain useful drafting skills from an Accredited Specialist in Business Law experienced in general contract drafting and review in a range of areas; these include commercial and corporate law, tax law, trusts and estate planning. 

File and data management for contract lawyers – Nick Satouris, Professional Support Solicitor, Law Society of NSW

By the end of this session, you will:

• Be familiar with costs disclosure obligations.
• Understand how to establish optimal billing practices.
• Be able to establish a costs practice with appropriate costs precedents.

Ethics in contract law – Paul Monaghan, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Law Society of NSW

This session will provide a review of the ethical aspects of duties to the court, the client and the profession, and their practical applications in the area of contract law.

Damages for breach of contract and wasted expenditure – Ourania Konstantinidis, Partner, Dentons

This session will cover the High Court’s recent decision in Cessnock City Council v 123 259 932 P/L dealing with the appropriate measure of damages for breach of contract. We will dive into:

• A snapshot of historical cases on damages and how the High Court arrived at the landmark decision.
• The High Court’s guidance on reliance damages for breach of contract with a particular focus on wasted expenditure and the recently established ‘facilitation principle’.
• How the courts will approach disputes involving damages incurred in reliance on contractual promises.
• Important practical strategies as to how you can manage risk when drafting contracts or advising your clients.

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your understanding about this important and evolving area of contract law from the solicitor who ran the High Court case from its origins.

Amanda Comelli, Partner, Brown White Stein Lawyers
Eleanor Arthurson, Associate, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers
Nick Satouris, Professional Support Solicitor, Law Society of NSW
Paul Monaghan, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Law Society of NSW
Ourania Konstantinidis, Partner, Dentons

This session was recorded on 20 March 2025 as part of the Civil litigators: Mandatory Rule 6.1 – live webinar

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by civil litigators, while earning four CPD units.
Topics include:

Developments in evidence law – Carmel Lee, Barrister, Greenway Chambers

In this session, learn about recent developments in evidence law and their application to civil litigation.

Legal ethics – Paul Monaghan, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Law Society of NSW

This session will examine ethical aspects of duties to the Court, the client and the profession, with practical applications for civil litigators.

Building your civil litigation practice – Alistair Marshall, Director, Professional Services Business Development

The session will focus on how to counteract the effects of a market slowdown and demonstrate what it takes to stand out in an increasingly competitive and noisy marketplace.

Many firms suffer from a lack of awareness, underperforming websites, no real point of difference from the competition and personnel who consider themselves professionals rather than marketers or salespeople.

Session participants will learn how to engage potential clients without sounding confused or bland and also how to build trust and credibility, so they become the provider of choice over time. 

Key points to be covered include:

• Why you should change your attitude and behaviour relating to business development.
• The profit model all successful businesses must master.
• How the answers to three simple questions can change your financial life.
• The ‘must implement’ ideas to drive revenue growth in the new modern world.

Working with Counsel – Paul Cutler, Migration Lawyer, Barrister, Mediator and Arbitrator

Working with Counsel should be a constructive and collaborative process for both solicitor and barrister. Each have their own roles in civil litigation. Good teamwork and understanding are essential to achieve the best result for the client. This session will look at some of the important aspects of briefing, working with and instructing counsel at trial.

This session was recorded on 12 March 2025 as part of the Personal injury law: Mandatory rule 6.1 - live webinar.

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by personal injury practitioners, while earning four CPD units.

Topics include:

Case law: A year in review – Rita Yousef, Special Counsel, Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers
This case law update will provide you with important insights from a selection of recent personal injury cases. 

Legal ethics – Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, The Law Society of NSW
This session examines ethical aspects of duties to the Court, the client and the profession, with practical applications for personal injury lawyers.

Tips for growing a personal injury practice – Carmine Santone, Director, Santone Lawyers
Gain practical skills for setting up and expanding your personal injury practice from Carmine Santone, who has had extensive experience in both areas, and in a broad spectrum of personal injury matters.

Costs for personal injury lawyers – Nick Satouris, Professional Support Solicitors, The Law Society of NSW
By the end of this session, you will:

• Be familiar with costs disclosure obligations
• Understand how to establish optimal billing practices, and
• Be able to establish a costs practice with appropriate costs precedents.

For Mandatory rule 6.1 courses 

Practitioners should inform themselves of Rule 6.1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 which sets out the requirements for the four (4) mandatory CPD areas for NSW legal practitioners – (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law. It is the responsibility of each legal practitioner to self-assess as to whether a particular educational activity extends their knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to their practice needs or professional development. If so, then the practitioner may claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. 

If you self-assess that this particular educational activity extends your knowledge and skills, this program may allow you to claim four (4) of the mandatory areas: (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law.

This session was recorded on 6 February 2025 as part of the Important issues for in-house lawyers: mandatory rule 6.1 - live webinar.

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by in-house legal practitioners, while earning four CPD units. 

AI and your professional skills – Caryn Sandler, Partner + Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer, Gilbert + Tobin

Artificial Intelligence (particularly Gen AI) has now well and truly arrived in the legal industry and has the potential to shake up the way we practice. This session will serve as your guide to the Gen AI technologies that will likely change the way we find, review and write legal content. Taking a vendor-agnostic approach, we’ll bypass the hype and explain everything you need to know about:

• The current state of Gen AI in the legal industry.
• Emerging legal use cases.
• Gen AI demonstration.
• Considerations when working with Gen AI.
• What you need to do now to prepare for potential changes to legal service delivery.

Ethical issues for in-house lawyers – Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Law Society of NSW

In this session Linden will review recent issues in ethics, focusing on:

• Avoiding misleading statements.
• Managing client expectations.
• Understanding your confidentiality obligations.

Changes to Australia’s privacy and data security regime – Amber Cerny, Corporate Law Partner, EY Oceania

In this session you will get an update on changes to Australia’s amended privacy and data security laws.

We will also cover what the changes mean for you:

• How leading inhouse counsel are supporting their businesses to be compliant with the laws.
• How best to identify and mitigate risks.

The right to disconnect – Carly Stebbing, Partner, Longton Legal

This session will explore the implications of Australia's ‘right to disconnect’ reforms both for employers and for employees. The presentation will include an examination of how to ensure compliance while fostering a healthier work environment.

This session was recorded on 1 March 2025 as part of the Core issues for criminal lawyers: Mandatory rule 6.1 - live webinar.

Practitioners should inform themselves of Rule 6.1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 which sets out the requirements for the four (4) mandatory CPD areas for NSW legal practitioners – (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law. It is the responsibility of each legal practitioner to self-assess as to whether a particular educational activity extends their knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to their practice needs or professional development. If so, then the practitioner may claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. 

If you self-assess that this particular educational activity extends your knowledge and skills, this program may allow you to claim four (4) of the mandatory areas: (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law.

This session was recorded on 27 February 2024 as part of the Key knowledge and skills for family lawyers: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by family lawyers legal practitioners, while earning four CPD units.

Topics include:

Effective drafting in family law matters, with reference to understanding requirements under the amended Family Law Act – Stephene Tully, Barrister, 6 St James Hall Chambers

The Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (Cth) (passed 19 October 2023), among other changes, repealed the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, expanded the definition of member of the family, simplified compliance and enforcement provisions, and ensured that children’s voices are heard in international child abduction cases. This session will: 

• provide an overview of the substantive changes recently effected to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth);
• assess their impact upon precedent letters and documents (eg parenting plans, orders and advices) to ensure that those changes are incorporated; and 
• offer practical drafting suggestions for practitioners when formulating templates which comprehensively and accurately address the legislative issues.   

Legal ethics – Linden Barnes, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Professional Support Unit, The Law Society of NSW

In this session Linden Barnes will consider fulfilling ethical and professional responsibilities when practising in family law. 

Case law - year in review – Craig Nicol, Editor, The Family Law Book & Keleigh Robinson Co-Editor, The Family Law Book

In this session Craig Nicol & Keleigh Robinson will review notable family law cases from 2023, with a discussion of key takeaways from these cases and how they may be applied to day-to-day practice.

Wellbeing – Simonette Vaja, Wellbeing Manager, The Law Society of NSW

This session will provide an overview of optimal habits for high performing lawyers, including: 

• Mental Agility – Growth Mindset
• Evidence based best practice habits for mental wellbeing
• Mental Fitness with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction 

Practitioners should inform themselves of Rule 6.1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 which sets out the requirements for the four (4) mandatory CPD areas for NSW legal practitioners – (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law. It is the responsibility of each legal practitioner to self-assess as to whether a particular educational activity extends their knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to their practice needs or professional development. If so, then the practitioner may claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. 

If you self-assess that this particular educational activity extends your knowledge and skills, this program may allow you to claim four (4) of the mandatory areas: (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law.

This session was recorded on 20 February 2024 as part of the Practice essentials for government lawyers: Mandatory rule 6.1 – live webinar.

Hear from legal experts in this live online course as they discuss some of the current issues faced by government lawyers legal practitioners, while earning four CPD units.

Topics include:

Briefing counsel – Bianca Gallifuoco, Barrister, Level 22 Chambers

An introductory session for recently admitted lawyers or those new to briefing counsel. By the end of the session participants will:

• Understand the different roles in the relationship between instructing solicitor and counsel
• Be able to brief and instruct counsel effectively to get the most out of the engagement
• Know how to compile a counsel brief with a good working structure

Legal ethics – Paul Monaghan, Senior Ethics Solicitor, Professional Support Unit, The Law Society of NSW

In this session Paul Monaghan will consider fulfilling ethical and professional responsibilities when practising as a government solicitor. 

Review of recent administrative law cases – Thomas Kwok, Partner, Holding Redlich

Administrative law is at the core of what government lawyers do. This session will bring you up to speed with the latest in administrative law. Case examples may be from areas outside your ‘home’ legislation, but are selected for their general relevance to administrative decision-making.

Wellbeing for government lawyers – Simonette Vaja, Wellbeing Manager, The Law Society of NSW

This session will provide an overview of optimal habits for high performing lawyers, including: 

• Mental Agility – Growth Mindset
• Evidence based best practice habits for mental wellbeing
• Mental Fitness with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction 

Practitioners should inform themselves of Rule 6.1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 which sets out the requirements for the four (4) mandatory CPD areas for NSW legal practitioners – (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law. It is the responsibility of each legal practitioner to self-assess as to whether a particular educational activity extends their knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to their practice needs or professional development. If so, then the practitioner may claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. 

If you self-assess that this particular educational activity extends your knowledge and skills, this program may allow you to claim four (4) of the mandatory areas: (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law.