Christine Smyth

QLS says more CLC funding necessary to ensure access to justice

Tens of thousands of needy Queenslanders will be denied access to justice in wake of the limited renewed funding grants announced by the state government this week, according to Queensland Law Society. Society President Christine Smyth on Friday (Sept 15) said the allocation of almost $4.8 million in funding by the Queensland Government to community legal centres was a welcome […]

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Christine Smyth

QLS welcomes move to remove 17-year-olds from adult prisons

Queensland Law Society president Christine Smyth today (Monday September 18) welcomed the state government’s announcement that it will begin removing 17-year-old offenders from the adult criminal justice system. “Queensland Law Society has advocated strongly for this reform, and called for the major parties to commit to it in the lead-up to the last election,” Ms Smyth said. “The then opposition […]

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Partner & QLS President Christine Smyth comments on Electronic Conveyancing

Queensland property buyers baulk at charges for digital settlements

PUBLIC investment in digital property settlement languishes in Queensland with negligible take-up of a system meant to deliver big savings and fewer transaction errors. While online property exchange PEXA is saying Queensland legal firms are losing work to their counterparts in other states because of the poor uptake of its services, the government denies it is dragging the chain and […]

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Criminal Law Conference 2017

Friday 8 September 2017, Law Society House President’s opening address Introduction Acknowledgment of Country In keeping with our reconciliation commitment it is culturally appropriate and important to acknowledge the First Nations people as the original inhabitants of the land on which this ceremony is taking place here in Meanjin, and recognise the remarkable country north and south of the winding […]

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DOYLES GUIDE 2017 - Congratulations Christine!

DOYLES GUIDE 2017 – Congratulations Christine!

CONGRATULATIONS to Christine Smyth for being ranked by Doyles Guide as one of Queensland’s Leading Wills, Estates and Succession Planning Lawyers, as well as one of Queensland’s leading Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyers for 2017! Click here to see the full list of Leading Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Lawyers – Queensland, 2017 Click here to see the full list […]

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What's New in Succession Law – Clarity for trusts, stepchildren and de facto partners

What’s New in Succession Law – Clarity for trusts, stepchildren and de facto partners

Changes under the Court and Civil Legislation Amendment Act 2017 Queensland Law Society has tirelessly advocated for reforms to the Trusts Act 1973 (Qld), and championed clarity around the stepchild relationship for family provision applications relating to de facto relationships within the Succession Act 1981 (Qld). On 5 June, the omnibus Court and Civil Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (Qld) (Amendment […]

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QLS President's Report – September 2017 Edition

QLS President’s Report – September 2017 Edition

Toward judicial diversity Why we need a judicial commission I am proud of our solicitors whose intellectual rigour, technical, people and managerial skills, along with service to their communities, have led to their appointment to judicial positions. But, there remains a disparity in the proportion of solicitors being appointed to judicial positions. Why is this a concern? Since 1938 both […]

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