Program

Family

• 10:30 am - 11:15 am

  The two million dollar question: Tax traps in family law The two million dollar question: Tax traps in family law Join our presenter for an informative and fast-paced discussion around the common taxation issues encountered in family law matters including the traps in property settlements, SMSFs, trusts, companies and businesses. Also covered, tax implications in arbitration awards, stamp duty exemptions for property, and an overview of the two million dollar rule in the context of withholding tax. Gain the tools you need to identify a problem and develop timely and effective solutions.

• 11:15 am - 12:00 pm

  Key updates: Legislation and case law Key updates: Legislation and case law Join us for a snapshot of the latest cases in the last 12 months, and some practical insights from the bench on  how they will impact your day-to-day practice. Updates include: the new Cross Examination Bill the impact of Thorne v Kennedy (duress in a relationship, binding financial agreements); and what to expect during the first review of the family law system since the national Family Court was established in 1976

• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

  Lunch

• 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

  Masterclass: Trusts in s79 property proceedings Masterclass: Trusts in s79 property proceedings Join the ever-enlightening Tedd Jordan for practical guidance on dealing with both discretionary and unit trusts in s79 proceedings.

• 1:45 pm - 2:30 pm

  Grey divorce: Property settlements and spousal maintenance for retirees Grey divorce: Property settlements and spousal maintenance for retirees Divorce has escalated in our elder ranks with the Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing the average age of divorcees has increased over the past 25 years. This session will discuss the legal processes for and the issues relating to property settlements and spousal maintenance matters involving elderly persons and retirees.

• 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm

  Afternoon Tea

• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

  Panel: A sceptic's guide to non-adversarial practise Panel: A sceptic's guide to non-adversarial practise Family law practise is a unique mix of adversarial and non-adversarial approaches: However, more often than not we continue to turn to the court to resolve disputes. And it’s no wonder: the first iterations of ADR were largely unequipped to handle warring parties. Has anything changed? Join our expert panel for an express overview of the current state of arbitration, conciliation, mediation and collaborative practise; and a discussion on how modern non-adversarial techniques have actually played out in the real world.

Personal Injuries

• 10:30 am - 11:15 am

  Contemporary politics and common law rights: What’s next? Contemporary politics and common law rights: What’s next? Legislative change is a perennial threat to the common law, and hence to clients’ rights. The pace and complexity of legislative change has increased over the last decade. With the notable exception of the Newman workers’ compensation “reforms”, Queensland has been largely untouched by the retrograde outcomes experienced in NSW and elsewhere. This session will explore present and potential legislative impacts upon personal injuries practices in the contemporary political and policy climate.

• 11:15 am - 12:00 pm

  Disclosure of family court documents in personal injury claims Disclosure of family court documents in personal injury claims Claimants in personal injury claims have high duties of disclosure and, in some cases, it may be necessary to disclose family court documents. However, practitioners need to be aware that family court documents cannot be disclosed in personal injury proceedings without the court’s permission. This session will discuss the legal principles involved and outline the steps required to obtain the court’s permission.

• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

  Lunch

• 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

  Key updates: Legislation and case law Key updates: Legislation and case law This session will reflect on the significant decisions over the past 12 months and provide a glimpse into the significant updates in the personal injuries space. Join us for updates in liability, employer/CTP/third party, and damages.

• 1:45 pm - 2:30 pm

  Practical strategies for survival in personal injuries practise Practical strategies for survival in personal injuries practise Ensure your practise toolkit is up to date with an engaging and pragmatic look at the top recent practise changes personal injuries practitioners need to be aware of. Our expert presenters will step you through: the issue of claim farming including current MAIC statistics, how QLS has responded to the issue, and the outcomes both MAIC and QLS are hoping to achieve vicarious trauma survival.

• 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm

  Afternoon Tea

• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

  Another piece of the PI: Financial complexities for the self-employed Another piece of the PI: Financial complexities for the self-employed Your client has just started up a business and the earning potential on their tax records does not reflect their future earning potential: How do you go about calculating their true loss of opportunity? Break down the complexities and gain some practical strategies from the experts in this valuable, step-by-step presentation.

Property

• 10:30 am - 11:15 am

  Electronic execution of property contracts Electronic execution of property contracts With the increasing prevalence of electronic execution of property contracts, this session will explore a range of issues arising with electronic signatures that are particularly relevant to property practitioners.

• 11:15 am - 12:00 pm

  How to manage stamp duty and tax issues for your client How to manage stamp duty and tax issues for your client Join us to hear from tax experts about how to manage stamp duty payments and tax issues for property transactions through a SMSF, property and business transactions, and capital gains tax issues.

• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

  Lunch

• 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

  Property transactions: Senior living options Property transactions: Senior living options With an increasing senior population, this session will provide you with practical hints and tips to help you deal with the documentation and processes relating to retirement village conveyancing, purchasing/leasing manufactured homes and aged care.

• 1:45 pm - 2:30 pm

  Retail shop leasing issues Retail shop leasing issues Following the recent amendments to the retail shop leases legislation, what are the topical leasing issues in this area? Join us to hear from an expert about: lease incentive side agreements: misleading and deceptive conduct? incentives vs penalties retail shop lease compensation issues (relocation, construction and demolition clauses)

• 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm

  Afternoon Tea

• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

  Key updates: Legislation and case law Key updates: Legislation and case law Hear from a panel of experts about key updates in property law, including an update on the progress of the discussions surrounding property law reform and changes to the Land Title Act 1994.

Core CPD

• 10:30 am - 11:15 am

  The value conversation: Effective pricing of legal work The value conversation: Effective pricing of legal work In an increasingly competitive legal environment, the challenge is ensuring the price reflects the value delivered.  This session will consider the concept of “value”, how that can be communicated to clients, and how effective scoping and delivery of legal services can dramatically improve profitability and ensure client satisfaction.

• 11:15 am - 12:00 pm

  How we work: The modern workplace How we work: The modern workplace The modern workplace is a vastly different landscape from days of old.  Workers often access flexible arrangements and the new law model is on the increase. As a business owner, what strategies do you have in place to manage this model successfully?  How will you manage staff, clients and matters while building and maintaining your brand?  How do you keep your clients and your team engaged and supported while addressing new and unique issues? Based on her vast experience working with legal practices and working remotely, Tracy Skellern will give you an insight into the key risks in the modern workplace and practical guidance on how to succeed.

• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

  Lunch

• 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

  Cyber attack: You’ve been hacked! Cyber attack: You’ve been hacked! Law firms are a prime target for cyber attack – we hold personal information, information relating to mergers, acquisitions and takeovers, and dictate the transfer of large sums of money. It is not a question of if, but when. What does a cyber attack look like? What will you do in response to an attack? Who do you need in your response team?  How will you manage the impact on your clients? What losses can you mitigate? This session will give you an action replay of a cyber-attack, guide you through the essential steps you need to take, and give you some insight into recent domestic and international attacks.

• 1:45 pm - 2:30 pm

  The link between culture and productivity The link between culture and productivity Whether you work alone, in a small team or with many peers, the right culture improves wellbeing and productivity. Join our expert presenter to learn practical tips for leading and modelling healthy cultures in your workplace.

• 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm

  Afternoon Tea

• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

  Top 10 trust accounting tips Top 10 trust accounting tips With over 15 years of experience working with legal practices and auditing trust accounts, Deborah Mok will deliver her top 10 trust accounting tips in this practical and interactive session.