LSB March 2018_Web

DIALOGUE
A round-up of recent Society
meetings & conferences
ROSEMARY PRIDMORE, EXECUTIVE OFFICER
20 NOVEMBER 2017
Director of Public Prosecutions,
Adam Kimber SC
Then President, Tony Rossi and Chief
Executive, Stephen Hodder met with
Adam Kimber SC, Director of Public
Prosecutions and informed Mr Kimber
of the work the Society generally,
including recent submissions and the
development of key policy issues for the
2018 State election.
21 NOVEMBER 2017
His Honour Chief Judge Evans
Matters discussed at a meeting between
Tony Rossi, Stephen Hodder and His
Honour Chief Judge Michael Evans
included arrangements for special
directions hearings; the increasing
complexity and volume of the law
(particularly the criminal law); and the
Society’s election policy issues.
1-2 DECEMBER 2017
Law Council of Australia and
associated quarterly meetings
Tony Rossi (as the Society’s Law Council
Representative and as President), Tim
Mellor (President-Elect) and Stephen
Hodder attended a quarterly meeting
of Directors of the Law Council of
Australia, and associated meetings, in
Canberra. Matters discussed included a
draft Trial Federal Issues Management
Protocol; communication strategies; the
use of artificial intelligence by law firms
and “virtual” firms; promotion of the
profession and respect for the rule of law;
the extension of Anti-Money Laundering
provisions to the legal profession and the
associated regulatory burden.
30 JANUARY 2018
Legal Services Commission
President Tim Mellor and Stephen
Hodder attended a meeting of the Board
of Commissioners of the Legal Services
Commission. Matters discussed included
the results of the Society’s 2016-17 survey
of work done and legal aid payments
received by Panel Solicitors and the
Society’s subsequent request to the LSC
that in light of the results it seeks funding
for further payments to legal practitioners;
the role of the LSC’s Legal Profession
Reference Committee and the LSC’s
Access to Justice program.
7 FEBRUARY 2018
The Honourable Chief Justice Kourakis
Matters raised by Tim Mellor and the
Executive Officer, Rosemary Pridmore at a
meeting with the Chief Justice included:
Court ordered mediation. The Chief Justice
advised his intention to require that a
mediation (of some form) have been held
before a matter is listed for trial;
The establishment of a Probate Registry Users
Group to be chaired by the Honourable
Justice Stanley (for which the Society is
providing administrative support and
representation (via the Succession Law
Committee)).
Court premises. The Chief Justice has
a preference for separate campuses for
each court, rather than the State Courts all
being housed in a new ‘precinct’. Noting
the presently planned upgrade to the Sir
Samuel Way Building the Chief Justice’s
suggestion is that District Court civil
court rooms and chambers be located in
a new building being possibly a building
proposed by the Adelaide City Council,
which would include office premises,
over the arcade alongside the Sir Samuel
Way Building. The fifth floor of the Sir
Samuel Way Building could be used for
criminal matters, and a specialist Supreme
Court building constructed, with two or
three criminal courts, one of which would
be capable of being a grand ceremonial
court.
Court funding. As a result of a mid-year
budget review, the courts are facing a
reduction above the usual “efficiency
reduction” of over $1.7 million in
2018/2019 and to approximately $2.5
million in 2019/2020. The Chief Justice
was unsure how the Courts would manage
to achieve these cuts. A reduction
in services would be inevitable. The
Supreme Court was presently keeping up
with its workload whilst the District Court
was almost to the point of doing so.
Electronic Court Management System. This
is due to commence later in 2018 and will
be first introduced in Probate Registry and
Magistrates Court (Civil) matters.
Please note: The Society’s advocacy work
is reported to Members via the Advocacy
Notes e-newsletter.
6
THE BULLETIN March 2018