InBrief

Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls has heralded the introduction of what he calls "the most significant civil procedure reforms in more than 20 years". In a spirited media release, Mr Hulls foreshadowed a Bill with provisions for "[t]ime limits on talkative barristers, new standards of conduct to stop game-playing, and requirements on parties to try and resolve disputes before going to court".

Victorian Bar Chairman Michael Colbran QC was a little more measured, saying that "[m]any of the provisions of the Bill, for example Alternative Dispute Resolution and case management reflect common practice of the profession and courts for the last 15 years and are unremarkable. NSW has had specific overarching obligations for many years".

Colbran QC also expressed surprise at the attorney's criticisms of barristers. "At no stage of the consultation for the reform was [barristers' behaviour] raised as an issue. He appears to hark back to an outmoded stereotype – which is neither true nor fair - and to be out of touch with modern court practice."

21 June 2010