News
Archive: 2004 | 2003

Refer also to our Policy & Law Reform Page

WLANSW Press Release - Online Database to Network Women
8 Nov 2005

PRWomenLawyersDatabaseNov05.pdf

Our Find A Woman Lawyer database puts our policy work into practice. In our
submission to the Inquiry into Balancing Work and Family conducted by the
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Human Services we
called on federal government to provide funding for networking and mentoring
programs for women in the legal profession.

We would welcome any attempt by federal and state government agencies
concerned with the provision of legal services to follow our example in
devoting resources towards networking and mentoring for women lawyers.

Judicial News

13 October 2005
Judicial Appointments - Diversity, Transparency and Quality
Seminar held by NSW Young Lawyers and the Women Lawyers Association of NSW
JudicialForum05.pdf

Click to view speech presented by Her Honour Judge Gay Murrell SC
JudicialAppointmentsOct05.pdf

Click to view Media Release:
MediaReleaseJudicialAppointments05.pdf

Newcastle Mediation Programme Update

The Newcastle Mediation Pilot Programme organised by the WLANSW Newcastle Chapter and the Newcastle Law Society has produced successful results. At the last callover in April 2005 a total of 14 District Court matters were ordered to mediate by Judge Sidis. Of those, 4 matters settled at mediation, 6 matters settled shortly after mediation or before trial, and 4 matters remain ongoing. The Newcastle Chapter has carried out a survey of the practitioners involved in the 14 matters. A full report, survey results and additional information can be accessed via the link below.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Mediation Programme or other mediation projects organised by the Newcastle Chapter, please contact Liz Pinnock on 0405 118 681 or Felicity Wardhaugh on (02) 4925 5500

MediationUpdateOct05.pdf

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"Judge's open and shut case for female choice"

Parting challenge … 

The High Court judge Michael McHugh has challenged the Federal Government to replace him with a woman when he steps down in November, and says there are at least 10 who are qualified for the job.

Read full articles:

Judges_open_and_shut_case_for_female_choice.pdf
Justice Michael McHugh believes more women should be appointed to the High Court. By Michael Pelly, SMH, August 18, 2005

McHughsAngels.pdf
10 women fit for High Court, says top judge. By Michael Pelly Legal Reporter SMH August 19, 2005

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Judicial Appointments

12 January 2006
Ms Robyn Eva Denes, Magistrate and Mining Warden
Ms Sharon Claire Freund, Magistrate and Mining Warden
Ms Geraldine Beattie, Magistrate and Mining Warden
Ms Jacqueline Maree Trad, Magistrate and Mining Warden

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30 January 2006
The Governor-in-Council has approved of the appointment of Ms Jayne Margaret Jagot as a Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales commencing on and from 31 January 2006.

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16 January 2006
Federal Magistrate Judith Housego - Sydney

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28 November 2005
Federal Magistrate Louise Henderson - Parramatta
Ms Annette Sinclair, Magistrate and Mining Warden

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20 September 2005
Appointment of Justice Susan Crennan to the High Court
PR_SusanCrennan_ourNewHighCourtJudge.pdf

20 August 2004
Ms Jane Ariane Culver, Magistrate and Mining Warden

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Dear Members
I had the opportunity to hear Justice Marilyn Warren, Chief Justice of Victoria, speak about "Equal Opportunity in the Law" at the recent LAWASIA conference in Queensland. A central theme to emerge from her speech was that the exclusivity of the legal profession which by natural progression ensures the judiciary is largely unrepresentative of society can impede access to justice and threaten confidence in the judiciary. Creating opportunities in the legal profession for women and other groups such as those from indigenous backgrounds is not just about promoting those people but is a societal issue. It is therefore fitting that Women Lawyer's congratulates Judge Megan Latham on her appointment to the NSW Supreme Court.

Louise Byrne
President

View Conference Paper - CJWarren.pdf
This conference paper was delivered at LAWASIAdownunder2005, the 19th Biennial Conference of LAWASIA, the Law Association  for Asia and the Pacific and is reprinted here with LAWASIA’s permission.

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WLANSW are delighted to acknowledge and congratulate the following female appointees:

31 January 2005 - Government Media Statement
First Female Justice for Tasmania
Attorney General Judy Jackson
View details

• 12 April 2005: Her Honour Judge Megan Fay Latham, Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW
• 16 February 2005: Ms Vivien Margaret Swain, Magistrate and Mining Warden
• 8 November 2004 (expiring 7 November 2009): Ms Catherine Admonisha McDonald, Judicial Registrar of the District Court of NSW
• 19 August 2004: Ms Anna Frances Backman, Deputy President of the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW and as a Member of the Commission in Court Session
• 24 June 2004: Sylvia Emmett, Federal Magistrate Parramatta Court
• 24 June 2004: Robyn Sexton, Federal Magistrate Parramatta Court

Current Issues

Refer also to our Policy & Law Reform Page