Essentials Series
Stay informed and enhance your legal expertise with the ACT Law Society's Essentials Series. Tailored for both new and experienced lawyers, this series covers the most recent updates in law as well as foundational topics across various practice areas. Each session provides valuable insights into key issues, emerging developments and new legislation affecting the legal landscape. Whether you're looking to broaden your knowledge or stay up to date with the latest legal changes, this series ensures you're always in the know. There's something for everyone, from foundational topics to the most recent updates in law.
Thursday 25 September 2025SCHEDULE1:30pm - 2:30pm: Navigating AML Obligations: A Practical Guide for Legal Professionals 2:45pm - 3:45pm: Pleading in Statement of Claim and Defences 4:15pm - 5:15pm: Drafting Affidavits: Insights from the Bench and Bar 5:30pm - 6:30pm: Effective Advocacy in Family Violence Order Final Hearings: A Guide for Practitioners |
DETAILS
- When: Thursday 25 September 2025
- Where: ACT Law Society Training Room - all sessions are also available live-streamed
- Cost: Discounted registrations for all 4 sessions are available for members: Member - $120, Student & New Lawyer Members - $60
- RSVP: 24 September
Reduced rates may be available to some of our members to ensure equal training opportunities. Please make contact to discuss your eligibility.
Navigating AML Obligations: A Practical Guide for Legal Professionals
Australia’s AML/CTF regime is expanding, and legal professionals will soon face new compliance requirements. This session offers a practical overview of what’s changing, what a compliant AML/CTF program looks like, and how firms can start preparing now.
Topics include:
- Understanding what the Tranche 2 AML/CTF reforms are and how they will impact law firms
- Likely key obligations for lawyers under the AML framework
- What an AML/CTF program involves
- Risks of non-compliance
- Practical steps for readiness
Includes Q&A.
TIM BOURKE
ACT AML
Tim Bourke is the Director of ACT AML, a Canberra-based consultancy supporting businesses in navigating Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime. With over 20 years’ experience covering risk management, financial crime compliance and fraud across the banking sector and government, Tim brings deep expertise in helping businesses to not be exploited by money launders and build practical, risk-based AML programs. He is a graduate of the AICD and ACAMS programs and has been working with Tranche 2-affected sectors—law firms, real estate agents, property developers and accountants— as they prepare for upcoming regulatory changes.
DETAILS
- When: Thursday 25 September I 1:30pm - 2:30pm
- Where: ACT Law Society, live streaming option available
- Cost: Members - Free, Non-members $70
- CPD: Members will receive 1 point in Core Area 2
- RSVP: 24 September
Pleading in Statement of Claim and Defences
Bad drafting of pleadings can jeopardise your client’s case, whether you're pursuing a claim or defending against one. Poorly prepared pleadings can also undermine success at interlocutory hearings on discovery or interrogatories and weaken your client’s bargaining position during mediation. Given the key differences in ACT Rules compared to other jurisdictions, it is crucial to get your pleadings right from the outset. In this session, Ben will revisit the fundamentals of effective pleading with an additional focus on special provisions relating to ACT common law injury matters to ensure your client’s case is best prepared for success.
BEN JULLIENNE
KEY CHAMBERS
Ben was called to the Bar in early 2022 after 12 years of practice as a solicitor. He practices mainly in common law, medical negligence, workers compensation, CTP, public liability and coronial law. He accepts briefs in both the ACT and NSW and regularly appears for both Plaintiffs and Defendants. Ben is currently elected to the ACT Bar Association Council.
DETAILS
- When: Thursday 25 September I 2:45pm - 3:45pm
- Where: ACT Law Society, live streaming option available.
- Cost: Members - $50, New Lawyers and Students - $25, Non-members $70
- CPD: Members will receive 1 point in Core Area 4
- RSVP: 24 September
Drafting Affidavits: Insights from the Bench and Bar
Join an esteemed panel featuring the Honourable Justice Gill, Judicial Registrar Hiles, Barrister Merrilyn Davis and Solicitor Adam Bak as they share practical insights into drafting effective affidavits. This session will explore best practices, common pitfalls, and the expectations of courts when assessing affidavit evidence. Attendees will gain practical guidance on structure, content, and language, as well as insights into how affidavits are used in proceedings. Whether you're new to affidavit drafting or seeking to refine your skills, this session offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from experts across the legal spectrum.
THE HON. JUSTICE GILL
FEDERAL CIRCUIT AND FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA
The Honourable Justice Gill worked as a solicitor in the Legal Aid Commission of the ACT as a duty lawyer, commencing in 1993. From there his honour worked both in the criminal law and family law sections of the Commission before entering private practice in 1999. His Honour was called to the bar in 2003 practising in criminal law and family law, protection and family violence orders, human rights law and coronial inquests. Prior to appointment his Honour was president of the ACT Bar Association. The Honourable Justice Gill was appointed to Family Court of Australia in May 2016, to the Canberra Registry.
JUDICIAL REGISTRAR SALLY HILES
FEDERAL CIRCUIT AND FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA
Sally commenced working in family law in 2008 in Newcastle before also taking up a role as a solicitor with a specialist family law firm in Canberra the next year. Immediately prior to joining the Family Law Courts in August 2021, Sally worked as the Deputy Head of Family Law Practice at Legal Aid ACT. She has attained a Master of Laws (Family Law) and is an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. Sally was an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) for many years, part of the teaching panel for ICLs nationally and is currently Chair of the ACT ICL Advisory Committee. Sally is a Judicial Registrar of the Federal Circuit and Family Court at the Canberra Registry.
MERRILYN DAVIS
BURLEY GRIFFIN CHAMBERS
Merrilyn is a graduate of Sydney University, obtaining her law degree in 1997 and admission to the Supreme Court Roll in June 1998. Merrilyn joined the Canberra legal community in 1999 when she moved from the NSW to the ACT Women’s Legal Centre. She worked in private practice in a firm specialising in Family Law before joining the Family Law team at Legal Aid in 2002. Merrilyn’s experience of representing a high number of clients in complex litigation matters in the family, domestic violence and care jurisdictions has provided a strong foundation for her joining the bar in 2017. In particular, Merrilyn has been trained and practiced as an independent children’s lawyer since 2003, which brings a specialised perspective to her work in children’s matters.
ADAM BAK
FARRAR GESINI DUNN
Adam is a Partner at Farrar Gesini Dunn, where he has worked since 2006, when most letters were sent by fax. He practices exclusively in family law, predominantly working on litigated matters. He has a particular interest in financial cases involving businesses, companies, trusts and third parties. He also regularly acts in parenting matters where there are risk issues. Adam tries to adopt a strategic and considered approach to all matters and draft correspondence and evidence concisely, whether page limits apply or not. He recently became an Independent Children’s Lawyer.
DETAILS
- When: Thursday 25 September I 4:15pm - 5:15pm
- Where: ACT Law Society, live streaming option available. Please note, this session will not be recorded
- Cost: Members - $50, New Lawyers and Students - $25, Non-members $70.
- CPD: Members will receive 1 point in Core Area 4
- RSVP: 24 September
Effective Advocacy in Family Violence Order Final Hearings: A Guide for Practitioners
This practical session will equip practitioners with the tools to prepare persuasive submissions and evidence in Family Violence Order matters, effective and trauma-informed cross-examinations, and engage in safety planning and risk management. Attendees will gain real-world strategies for navigating final hearings with confidence and care. With insights from the bench, this session offers valuable guidance on courtroom expectations and ethical advocacy in sensitive and high-stakes cases.
THE HON. MAGISTRATE CAMPBELL
ACT MAGISTRATES COURT
Magistrate Jane Campbell was admitted as a solicitor in 1990. Prior to her appointment as a Magistrate, she practiced mostly in Criminal law; prosecution and defence. She was appointed as a Special Magistrate in February 2021 and then as a permanent Magistrate of the ACT Magistrates Court in March 2022.
DETAILS
- When: Thursday 25 September I 5:30pm - 6:30pm
- Where: ACT Law Society, live streaming option available. Please note, this session will not be recorded
- Cost: Members - $50, New Lawyers and Students - $25, Non-members $70
- CPD: Members will receive 1 point in Core Area 4
- RSVP: 24 September
Event registration terms and conditions
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General
ACT Law Society invoices have payment terms of 14 days. Fees are payable upon registration. A 1.2% surcharge may be incurred on payments processed via credit/debit card. The Society reserves the right to cancel or alter events at its discretion, and in such circumstances, attendees will be notified via email.
Definitions — 'Registration' means any booking given to the Society in writing, on our website, or by phone. 'Member' means any member of the ACT Law Society, including associate members and honorary members. 'New Lawyer' means any member who has held a practising certificate for five years or less. 'CLC' means any member working for a recognised community legal centre, or holding a volunteer practising certificate. 'Student' means any member holding a student membership.
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Cancellation policy
All cancellations must be made in writing, and all cancellations will incur a fee, however, no charge will be incurred for substituting another person. Outside of the cancellation periods given below, a $10 administration fee will be incurred for any cancellation made. If a registered attendee fails to attend without notifying the Society in writing, no credit or refund will be offered and 100% of the total cost will be retained by the Society.
CPD Events — In the case of CPD events held at an venue other than the Law Society, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event. In the case of CPD events held at the Law Society, for cancellations made up to two working days prior to the event, 50% of the total cost will be retained by the Society as a cancellation fee and the balance may be used as a credit towards other CPD events or be refunded. If you choose to keep a credit it will remain valid for 12 months from the event date, after which time it will expire. For cancellations within two working days of the event, no refunds or credits will be applicable.
Webinars — In the case of live or on-demand webinars, as connection details are sent when registration is completed, no refund or cancellation is available.
Social events — In the case of social events, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event.
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Notice of Filming and Photography
Attendees of events consent to filming, photography and sound recording as members of the audience. By registering and attending this event you agree to being filmed or photographed which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes
Registration
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(in-person) Member Registration Options
All Four Sessions Member Registration - (in-person) $120.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart Navigating AML Obligations Member Registration Single Session (in-person) Free Add to Cart $50 Member Registration Single Session (in-person) $50.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart -
(live streaming) Member Registration Options
All Four Sessions Member Registration (live streaming) $120.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart Navigating AML Obligations Member Registration Single Session (live streaming) Free Add to Cart $50 Member Registration Single Session (live streaming) $50.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart -
(in-person) New Lawyer + Student Member Registration Options
All Four Sessions New Lawyer & Student Member Registration (in-person) $60.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart $25 New Lawyer & Student Member Registration Single Session (in-person) $25.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart -
(live streaming) New Lawyer & Student Member Registration Options
All Four Sessions New Lawyer & Student Member Registration (live streaming) $60.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart $25 New Lawyer & Student Member Registration Single Session (live streaming) $25.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart -
Non-member Registration Options
Non-member Registration Single Session (in person) $70.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart Non-member Registration Single Session (live streaming) $70.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart
