Preferred supplier newsletter – February 2025
Stay up to date with the latest news and information for law firms that provide legal aid services.
In this issue:
Meet Cuthbertson and Co Lawyers
Ken Cuthbertson of Cuthbertson and Co with Peter Delibaltas, Senior Executive Director, Legal Practice.
This month we are featuring Cuthbertson and Co, a Cairns-based firm that has provided legal aid services in criminal law and family law matters since 1998.
Principal Ken Cuthbertson told us doing legal aid work enables the firm to make a “contribution to the community and the legal system overall”.
“The work generates a sense of satisfaction that I am assisting underprivileged people in the community who are otherwise struggling. It provides a depth and breadth of real practice experiences as often the cases are challenging or involve interesting aspects of the law. Many of the clients I have represented have genuinely appreciated the assistance,” Mr Cuthbertson said.
“Surging community vitriol about crime can be challenging for lawyers and there are current examples of what can happen when pressures on a justice system start to exceed its capacity. I think this year we will have opportunities to bring balance and compassion back into focus if we demonstrate the important role we play in society by maintaining our professionalism, integrity and commitment to clients.”
LAQ genuinely appreciates our partnership with Cuthbertson and Co for the past 26 years and counting! We could not do this work without your firm.
Whether you are new to LAQ or an established preferred supplier, we would love to feature your firm in our newsletter or social media. To register your interest please email partner.engagement@legalaid.qld.gov.au.
Update on amendments to coercive control and affirmative consent legislation
As you may be aware, last year the Coercive Control and Affirmative Consent and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Qld) amended the criminal code in domestic violence and sexual crime offences. In response to the changes, a pilot program has been launched in Brisbane and Townsville. From 26 May this year, coercive control will be a criminal offence, as will aiding a respondent in committing an act of domestic violence or associated domestic violence.
The Act brings Queensland’s legislation into line with other jurisdictions including New South Wales and Victoria, and is being implemented in 3 stages:
Stage 1 - commenced on 23 September 2024
- amends the consent and mistake of fact framework
- refers to stealthing as a circumstance of non-consent
- strengthens improper questions in sexual offence proceedings
- expands “reasonable excuses” for offence of failure to report a belief of child sex abuse offences being committed.
Stage 2 - commenced on 3 February 2025
- commences the operation of sexual offence expert evidence pilot programs in Brisbane and Townsville.
Stage 3 - will commence on 26 May 2025
- criminalises coercive control
- introduces new offence of engaging in domestic violence or associated domestic violence to aid a respondent
- introduces a court-based domestic violence perpetrator diversion scheme for adults
- reforms the laws relating to publication of domestic and family violence and sexual violence proceedings.
Temporary protection order considerations
These changes will require the court to consider making a temporary protection order (TPO) when adjourning the hearing of an application for a domestic violence protection order. Currently the court only ‘may’ consider making a TPO when adjourning a domestic violence matter (refer to s. 47B). Under the new legislation the court ‘must’ consider making a TPO when adjourning a domestic violence matter (s. 47B).
For more information about these changes, you can view the presentation by lawyer Olivia King, from LAQ’s Violence Prevention and Women’s Advocacy team. You will find the recording in Grants Online.
Launch of the Legal Aid Private Practitioners Census Report
You are invited to the online launch of National Legal Aid’s (NLA’s) Private Practitioners Census Report, which many of you contributed to in 2024.
More than 1000 private lawyers shared their experience delivering legal aid across the country, providing insights into who is delivering legal aid, who is accessing it, where there are shortfalls in service delivery, and what needs to be done to maintain access to justice via legal aid services.
Please join NLA in celebrating the launch of this very important report and hear all about what is needed to maintain a thriving legal aid system where justice is accessible for all. To attend the report launch register here.
Update on preferred supplier application process
Since June 2024, LAQ has approved 291 preferred supplier applications. LAQ would like to thank all existing and new preferred suppliers who have been successful in their applications and acknowledge the valuable contribution of the firms that elected not to reapply at this time.
Of the 291 applications approved, LAQ welcomes 17 new firms/branch offices to the LAQ legal community. Thank you for your interest and contribution to providing access to justice for LAQ’s clients.
LAQ would like to acknowledge the continued services our ongoing preferred suppliers have provided for LAQ and the benefit you have and continue to provide to financially disadvantaged and vulnerable clients.
There is still a growing need for more law firms to join LAQ’s community, especially in all remote and regional areas across Queensland.
Applications remain open throughout the 2024–27 term for new firms and existing firms opening offices in additional locations. Apply to become a legal aid service provider - Legal Aid Queensland at any time.
LAQ is always looking for ways to improve the application process and welcomes any feedback you have on the process. Please email partner.engagement@legalaid.qld.gov.au with your feedback.
End of year CPD and training opportunities
With the end of the CPD year approaching, LAQ wants to make it easier for partner law firms to meet their CPD requirements and to stay up to date with legislative changes and the practice of law.
Sessions to book in March
Effective legal research for lawyers – using the LAQ library’s free online resources
Date and time: Thursday 6 March, 1pm
Webinar information and registration link will be emailed, so please check your inbox soon.
Mental health and wellbeing in the legal profession – identifying and managing burnout (Part 1)
Date and time: Thursday 13 March, 1pm
Webinar information and registration link will be emailed, so please check your inbox soon.
Asserting your client’s legal rights to tackle cost of living challenges
Date and time: Wednesday 19 March, 12 noon
Webinar information and registration link have been emailed, so please check your inbox.
Professional independence, confidentiality, and management of conflicts
Date and time: Thursday 20 March, 1pm
Webinar information and registration link will be emailed, so please check your inbox soon.
Mental health and wellbeing in the legal profession – increasing resilience (Part 2)
Date and time: Tuesday 25 March, 1pm
Webinar information and registration link will be emailed, so please check your inbox soon.
Blurred Borders Queensland training
Date and time: Tuesday 25 March, 9am or 1pm
Webinar information and registration link has been emailed, so please check your inbox.
Would you like LAQ to deliver a free training session to your colleagues or attend one of your staff meetings to talk about the Blurred Borders kits? Please get in touch by emailing cle@legalaid.qld.gov.au. Check out LAQ’s website to stay in the loop about our planned upcoming sessions.
Recorded CPD sessions
LAQ presented sessions on a range of topics in 2024 that were open to private practitioners and eligible for CPD points. If you cannot make a session, most are recorded so you can watch them in your own time. You can access recorded CPD sessions via Grants Online under “Information Resources” and then “Continuing Professional Development”. Please note, sessions may take up to 3 weeks to appear following the event.
If you need technical or password-related support for Grants Online (available to LAQ preferred suppliers only) please contact the LAQ IT Service Desk on IT.Servicedesk@legalaid.qld.gov.au or call (07) 3917 0033.
Publication of the month
One of LAQ’s most frequently viewed publications is the Consent orders, parenting orders and parenting plans guide. If your firm works on family law matters, your clients may find it useful as well, so feel free to share the link or have copies available in your office.
You can share this publication with clients to assist them in making parenting arrangements for their children. It also explains the steps clients need to take if they choose to ask a court to formalise their agreement.
LAQ produces more than 100 publications and resources, from factsheets to posters, brochures, wallet cards and comprehensive legal information guides to help you support your clients. You can check out the publications on the LAQ website and they can be ordered online for free. For more information about LAQ’s publications or to order copies of the duty lawyer form or duty lawyer session report form, email publications@legalaid.qld.gov.au.