Program Overview

• Day 1 - Thursday 25 Feb
  • 12:00 PM Statutory Interpretation

    Examine the latest trends in statutory interpretation and understand how to identify and proactively manage key interpretation issues.

    In this session, our experienced presenter will take you through a discussion of recent cases, examining: the legislation considered, the parties’ arguments on interpretation and the reasoning of the court.

    Compliance area: Substantive Law

    Presenter: The Honourable Justice Chris Maxwell, President of the Court of Appeal
    

  • 1:00 PM Break
  • 1:05 PM Where are Reviews Won & Lost?

    How can you persuasively communicate your client’s legal position when representing your client in an administrative tribunal? This session will provide insights into advocacy styles and techniques that work, and those that don’t, when appearing in a tribunal. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions and hear more about:

    • common mistakes when arguing a case before a tribunal
    • practical strategies for helping the tribunal see your point of view
    • an overview of recent merits review decisions
      

    
    

    Compliance area: Professional Skills

    Presenter: TBA
    

• Day 2 - Thursday 04 Mar
  • 12:00 PM Case Law Update

    With the sheer volume of administrative matters being heard before courts and tribunals on a daily basis, staying on top of case law developments relevant to your practice can be hard work.

    This practical session will save you time and effort by reviewing recent cases and trends and what they mean for your practice to help you become a better lawyer.

    Compliance area: Substantive Law

    Presenter: Mick Batskos, Executive Director, FOI Solutions
    

  • 12:45 PM Break
  • 12:50 PM COVID-19 Impacts on Administrative Law

    Along with its social and economic impacts, the coronavirus pandemic has been responsible for disruption to many administrative processes. Covering the myriad of regulatory issues that have arisen as a consequence of COVID-19,  this session will provide a topical snapshot and analysis of the issues including:

    • the constitutionality and interpretation of the stay at home orders, curfew and crackdowns on protests
    • legal authority, procedural fairness issues, access to justice and practical challenges in virtual hearings during the pandemic
    • enduring changes to administrative law practice and procedure as a result of the pandemic
      

    
    

    Compliance area: Practice Management & Business Skills/Substantive Law

    Presenters: Michael Wyles QC
    

• Day 3 - Thursday 11 Feb
  • 12:00 PM Ethics in Practice

    The LIV’s Ethics and Professional Practice special counsel will facilitate a highly interactive workshop discussion with attendees addressing a selection of challenging ethical issues which can arise in daily legal practice in the context of administrative law. These issues will be illustrated by the use of de-identified real-life scenarios.

    Topics for discussion will include a solicitor’s paramount duty to the court and administration of justice, duty to return client documents and a solicitor’s duty to avoid conflict of interest in all its forms.

    Compliance area: Ethics & Professional Responsibility

    Presenter: Michael Dolan, Special Counsel, Ethics and Professional Practice, Law Institute of Victoria
    

  • 1:00 PM Break
  • 1:05 PM The Privacy Implications of Remote Work

    As remote working arrangements for employees become the norm due to the pandemic, there is a greater potential for unauthorised access to confidential data held by public-sector organisations and the possibility for that information to be susceptible to an attack.

    This session will cover key privacy issues in the use of data and personal information by public-sector organisations together with the legislative obligations that state and federal government employees need to be aware of when working from home to enhance their understanding of these issues and how to manage them in practice.

    Compliance area: Practice Management & Business Skills

    Presenter: Sven Bluemmel, Victorian Information Commissioner