InBrief

A message from President Arthur Moses SC

The Bar Association’s input is being sought more than ever on policy issues. Our policy work is one of the key functions under our Strategic Plan, which acknowledges that “informed public debate and the provision of legal expertise to law reform proposals is crucial to the maintenance of the rule of law in society and the administration of justice” and to this end contains the strategic objective “To continue the role of the New South Wales Bar Association, collectively and through individual members, as a voice on issues relating to the administration of justice.”

Over the 2017-18 financial year, the Association’s Law Reform and Public Affairs Department finalised 102 submissions to Government, statutory bodies such as such as the NSW Law Reform Commission, Parliamentary Committees and the Courts. The number of submissions has increased from 70 the previous year.

The expertise of our members is being sought and provided to Government on a wide range of issues and in many cases proposed legislation has been amended to reflect our concerns. This policy work is increasingly important now, more than ever, in the light of the absence of specialist policy units such as the former Criminal Law Review Division which had been located in the Attorney General’s Department.

I would like the thank the Association’s team of policy lawyers along with members of our Committees, Sections and Working Parties for their contribution to this key aspect of our operations.