International Law Section
The ILS – Europe Focus Group gives European lawyers practising in Australia and Australian lawyers with an interest in Europe a platform for networking and information exchange. It will enhance Australian interests in the European legal market and establish associations with European legal bodies, such as the Council of the Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) and the UIA. The Focus Group is co-chaired by Mr Thomas John and Dr Wolfgang Babeck.
The European Focus Group of the International Law Section, the Humboldt University of Berlin and the German-Australian-Pacific Lawyers' Association co-hosted the 2nd Australian-European Lawyers Conference in Berlin from 1 to 3 October 2009. Conference topics included investment, mergers & acquisitions, litigation/ADR, as well as current public law issues such as federalism reform in Australia and Germany. More than 80 people were in attendance, including Australian lawyers based in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria. The Conference was significant for the Law Council, being the first international ‘off-shore' Conference held by the International Law Section and the Law Council of Australia.
The event was opened by member of the German Bundestag Mr Jerzy Montag. His passionate defence of human rights in the age of terrorism received a standing ovation. Others presenting at the Conference included the President of the Law Council, Mr John Corcoran, the President of LAWASIA, Mr Glenn Ferguson, the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department, Mr Roger Wilkins AO, and Mr Gerd Nettersheim, the Deputy Secretary of the German Ministry of Justice as well as Mr Hasso Lieber, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Berlin.
The Conference further included an Asia - Pacific Forum. This Forum discussed the rule of law, capacity building issues and international pro bono arrangements and showed how lawyers can help developing nations in the Asia and the Pacific region to adhere to the rule of law and to maintain a high standard in the legal profession. A special mention should be made to Mr Dorsami Naidu, the President of the Fiji Law Society, who travelled from Fiji to Berlin to participate in the Forum. Mr Naidu gave a moving presentation on the current situation in Fiji.
Another highlight of the Conference was a Video Mock Trial. The Hon Justices Lindgren, Emmett and Jagot of the Federal Court of Australia presided over a pre-recorded mock trial highlighting legal issues of current concern for the Australian Government and overseas investors in Australian mineral resources. Counsel arguing the case were Tony Meagher SC with Kate Williams and Richard McHugh SC with Miranda Nagy. The Mock Trial was made possible by Dr Geoff Nicoll and Mr Arthur Hoyle from the University of Canberra who delivered the presentation.
Preceding the Conference, the Australian Ambassador to Germany hosted a Cocktail Party at the Australian Embassy in Berlin for participants of the Conference and Australian lawyers practising in Europe.
The President of the Law Council, Mr John Corcoran, signed a Friendship Agreement with the German-Australian-Pacific Lawyers' Association (GAPLA) on behalf of the ILS at the 2nd Australian - European Lawyers' Conference in Berlin. The Agreement was signed during the Conference Dinner at the Reichstag and will strengthen the ties between the ILS and GAPLA. For a copy of the MOU please visit www.lawcouncil.asn.au/ils.
LAWASIA and the Union Internationale des Avocates, who sponsored the Conference, also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in Berlin.
The European Focus Group of the International Law Section, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the National Europe Centre of the Australian National University, the Goethe-Institute of Australia and the University of New England co-hosted an international comparative law Conference at University House in Canberra on 22 and 23 May 2009. The Conference covered highly relevant human and basic rights issues concerning human dignity, the right to life and freedom of communication but also federalism (and its reform), the role of the constitutional courts, social conflicts and inclusion as well as international integration. Speakers included the German Ambassador, His Excellency Dr Michael Witter, the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, the Hon Jon Stanhope MLA, the President of the Victorian Court of Appeal, the Hon Justice Chris Maxwell as well as eminent Australian and German academics. European Focus Group Convenor Thomas John and Focus Group member Professor Jürgen Bröhmer presented well-received papers at this event. Professor Bröhmer will publish the Conference proceedings in a forthcoming book.
The European Focus Group and the Law Council’s Standing Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution co-hosted a very successful seminar at Selborne Chambers in Sydney on 13 November 2008. This free seminar provided a forum for discussion on Civil Justice Reform and ADR, an update on the latest developments in Online Dispute Resolution and a scenario asking the question whether judges should mediate. Speakers included Justice Preston, Justice Bergin and Acting Justice Gyles AO as well as members of the ADR Committee and Matthew Ross from The Claim Room Pty.
Please click on the photo below for more photos taken at the seminar.
Members of the European Focus Group and the Law Council’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee met with members of the Committee on Legal Affairs from the German Parliament in Canberra and Sydney on 22 and 23 October 2008. The Committee on Legal Affairs of the German Bundestag is described as a "legislative committee". The main focus of its work is on preparing and deliberating on bills which are then to be debated in the plenary on the basis of reports and recommendations for decisions produced by the Committee on Legal Affairs. The Committee's remit largely reflects that of the Federal Ministry of Justice, demonstrating the principle of parliamentary scrutiny of the work of the government. Items discussed included an overview of Australia’s legal system, differences between common and civil law as well as alternative dispute resolution.
