When

it comes to trust accounting, lawyers are very cautious about moving from one

trust account system to another, whether it be going from paper to online or

changing software packages. LIV’s resident Trust Accounting Online expert Peter

Dosser and the Administrator of the LIV’s Trust Accounting Online software Mia

Montagliani discuss some of the most frequently asked questions.

InfoTrackrecently surveyed Australian lawyers about the adoption of new technologies for contracts of sale and settlements around the property market. LIV journalist Karin Derkley and InfoTrack business development manager Jennifer Wadelton discuss the findings and dispel concerns that electronic signatures aren’t enforceable.

There’s no doubt that the legal profession is currently

going through a period of rapid change. The state of the market post the global

financial crisis, fast evolving technology and new legal practice business

models that leverage off fixed pricing, flexible working conditions, new

technology and outsourcing are having an impact on traditional legal practice.

LIV immediate past president Katie Miller talks to two innovators who are changing

the legal sector – Moores managing principal David Wells and Property Exchange

Australia Limited chief practitioner services officer Ian Hendey.

On1 July, a new foreign resident withholding capital gains tax measure will come into effect. Despite its name, this tax measure will affect all Australian tax residents – not just foreign residents – who are involved in property transactions. LIV Council member and King and Wood Mallesons senior associate Cameron Forbes and the Director of Taxation and International Business at Sothertons Melbourne Robert Lissauer discuss some of the concerns and complexities of the new regime and how at times lawyers and accountants will need to work together to assist clients.

In 2015 19 people were appointed silk in Victoria. Just two were women –Michelle Britbart QC and Aine Magee QC. In this podcast, recorded at the LIVWomen in Leadership Conference on 18 April, they share their career journeysand the roadblocks they faced on the way to being appointed QC.

Lawyer and business advisor Judith Bennett and LIV ethics lawyer Michael Dolan discuss the importance of practitioners planning for unexpected situations which may force them to step away from their practice – either temporarily or permanently. They also share key considerations that should be taken into account when making these plans.

LIV president elect and chief executive officer, corporate

counsel, Port Phillip Bay Scallops Belinda Wilson and legal counsel at Telstra

and artistic director at BottledSnail Productions Bruce Hardy discuss some of

the rewards, challenges and responsibilities of being an in-house counsel.

In this episode, recorded at LIV Conference of

Council on 8 February, LIV Vice President Sue Kee speaks to

Attorney-General Martin Pakula, Shadow Attorney General John Pesutto and Greens

Spokesperson for Justice and Corrections Sue Pennicuik about access to justice

in Victoria.

LIV council member and property law accredited specialist Simon Libbis speaks to identity agents Sean Simmons from ZipID, Tim Adamson from Australia Post and Mark Paholski from IDSecure about what practitioners need to know about the new VOI requirements and how identity agents can assist with the process.