Franchising Code has staggered start Three sections of the Franchising Code of Conduct, a mandatory industry code under s.51AE of the Trade Practices Act 1974, will apply from 1 July 1998. The sections are s.14, the requirement to provide copies of lease-related documentation, s.15, the prohibition on preventing franchisees from forming associations and s.17, the requirement to provide franchisees with audited statements for marketing funds unless 75 per cent of franchisees waive the requirement. Franchise Agreements in existence at 1 October 1998 will not have to be re-written but the Code will govern the ongoing relationship of the parties. The annual Government Lawyers' CLE Convention and Dinner will be held on 29 July 1998 at Parliament House in Sydney. Chief Justice Spigelman will speak at the dinner in Parliament's Members' Dining Room and Attorney General Jeff Shaw will present the Excellence Award in Government Legal Service.
Partners are welcome to attend the dinner.
Westpac appoints state relationship manager Westpac Banking Corporation has appointed a state relationship manager for NSW to assist communication of issues concerning conveyancing and settlements. The new appointment is designed to facilitate communication of any issues concerning its national Mortgage Centre in Adelaide and to oversee intra-state issues. Specialist's commercial litigation conference for July Specialist Accreditation will hold its annual commercial litigation conference at Kirkton Park in the Hunter Valley from 24 to 26 July for accredited specialists and experienced practitioners. The NSW Law Reform Commission has called for responses to its discussion paper on the right to silence from legal practitioners with an interest in the area. The paper covers the right to silence when questioned by police and at trial, and compulsory pre-trial disclosure in criminal trials.