InBrief

At its recent annual general meeting the Newcastle Bar Association elected new office bearers. Peter Cummings was elected unopposed as president and Michael Weightman as secretary. Mr Cummings takes over the position from Peter Harper who had held the office for four years. In accepting the position Mr Cummings paid tribute to his predecessor.

"Peter Harper lead the barristers of Newcastle with great commitment and energy. In particular he fought tirelessly to achieve some degree of consultation regarding the new state Court complex which is now underway. It was a difficult and thankless task and we are greatly indebted to him for achieving the best outcome possible for this region” he said.

Mr Cummings has been a barrister for seventeen years in private practice in Newcastle and a solicitor for twelve years before that. He sees the year ahead as potentially holding a number of challenges to which the legal profession will need to respond on behalf of the community, including in some critically important areas such as motor accident and criminal law reform.

The Newcastle Bar Association can be contacted as follows:

Peter Cummings ph: 02 49265811 Mobile: 0418 685 193 fax: 02 4929 5524 Email: pcummings@newcastlechambers.com.au

Michael Weightman ph: 02 4929 6788 fax: 02 4929 5524 mob: 0409 446 402 email: mweightman@newcastlechambers.com.au

Newcastle Chambers 38 Church St Newcastle NSW 2300 Clerk: Casey Sheather 492967681

25 February 2013