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In between those structured meetings, we communicate via telephone or email to exchange views on matters requiring more immediate attention.
QJA recently drew attention to an unheralded update to the Land Title Practice Manual which appeared to have far-reaching and serious consequences for both the witnessing officers and issuers of the Queensland version of the National Mortgage form. Thanks to QJA’s involvement, the Justice Department was able to intervene and arrange for that particular Practice Manual update to be repealed before any problems were created.
In late 2019, QJA advocated for clarification of what constituted “taking reasonable steps” in verifying the identity of signatories to land title documents (ss162(1)(a) of the Land Title Act 1994). In response to QJA’s intervention, a meeting between representatives of the Titles Registry Office, the JP Branch and QJA agreed to the wording of a published statement which contained the clarification we sought.
Over recent years, there have been several occasions when QJA members found themselves at odds with the JP Branch over particular practice matters. As a membership association, we also have a role to play in these circumstances and that role is generally to ensure our member’s rights are respected and to negotiate an outcome that is acceptable to all parties. In each case, we have managed to do this.
Advocacy is an important part of what you get with QJA.
John Carpendale, President JP(Qual)
2021 QJA BOARD ELECTIONS
The current QJA Board of Directors was appointed in 2019 and, under Rule 54 of the QJA Constitution, all positions on the Board are declared vacant every two years. Thus, all current Directors must stand down at the end of the 2019 – 2021 term. Fresh elections will be held this year and the new Board announced at the 2021 AGM scheduled for Saturday 6th November 2021. 202
QJA AWARD WINNERS....
Member of the Year – Sara Jane Gault
Emerging Leader – Claire Brown
Branch of the Year – Brisbane North
Community Engagement – Western Suburbs 1 AGM scheduled for Saturday 6th November
MEMBER ACCREDITATION PROGRAM LAUNCHED
As mentioned elsewhere in this edition, QJA launched its Member Accreditation Program at the 2021 State Conference, held at Surfers Paradise on Saturday 2021. More details about the program are included on pages 16-19.
QJA NEWS
CALL FOR BOARD DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS
In accordance with Rule 54(e) only financial Ordinary, Honorary Life, Life Subscription and Corporate Representative members of the Queensland Justices Association are eligible to nominate for, and vote in, the QJA Board elections. Further, Rule 54(i) states that only current members of the Board may nominate a member for the position of President.
The Board comprises 1 x President; 1 x Vice-President; and 8 x Directors. Board nominations open on 1st June and close at 5pm 31st July 2021. A nomination form for positions on the Board is enclosed with this edition of the QJA Quarterly or can be obtained from State Office upon request.
Completed forms must be forwarded to the Returning Officer by 5pm Friday 31st July 2021. The Board has appointed Dale Blackmore of Hall Payne Lawyers (QJA’s honorary solicitor) as the Returning Officer for these elections.
Prospective Board members should familiarise themselves with the QJA Constitution relating to their role and duties of the Board. The QJA is a not-for profit organisation registered under the Corporations Act 2001 and Board members are registered under this Act as Company Directors. This registration places various legal obligations on members and it is imperative that prospective Board members consider, and fully understand, these obligations.
Nominees should also give consideration towards their ability to fulfil the demands and time commitments associated with Board membership. For example, the Board meets on the last Monday of each month (except December) via videoconference and Directors are required to attend a minimum of 11 meetings per year unless leave of absence is granted. Each Director is usually appointed as Patron for several branches with the expectation that they attend some branch meetings and assist and guide the executives of the allocated branches. It is also an expectation that each Director will lead or participate in one or more Board committees and strategic project groups.
Prospective Board members should be aware that, if elected, your attendance will be required at the Board Strategy sessions scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday 6th November 2021 and the morning of Sunday 7th November at QJA State Office, Yeerongpilly.
More information: Nomination forms for the QJA Board can be downloaded by scanning the QR code
2021 STATE CONFERENCE SUCCESS
A detailed report on this year’s State Conference is featured elsewhere in this issue. In summary though, the conference was a huge success. All conference events (welcome function, full-day conference and awards dinner) were over-subscribed with waiting lists of others wishing to attend.
The quality of the conference presentations and the effectiveness of the conference presenters was first class. Delegate feedback rated this conference as one of our best-ever – at the same time identifying some aspects we can improve upon for the future.
QJA NEWS
BACK OFFICE COMPUTER SYSTEM CHANGES
Because QJA is both a JP Member Association and a Registered Training Organisation (RTO – in respect of the course of study aspiring JPs and Cdecs are required to complete prior to appointment), our back-office computer systems include both an Association Management Software (AMS) package and a Learning Management Software (LMS) package.
After several years of earnest service to the organisation, QJA’s existing AMS and LMS are starting to show their age and are no longer as reliable or functional as at the time of acquisition. In both cases, there is a selection of alternative and much-improved products now available in the marketplace.
After several months of exhaustive investigation and testing, and with the expert guidance provided by QJA’s technology consultant, Keith Revell, we have identified replacement systems (both AMS and LMS) that meet our budget and functionality requirements.
Over the balance of the 2021 calendar year, the office staff, together with our consultant, will be occupied with implementing and managing the transition from the old to the new systems. As with all transitions of this kind, there will be some minor interruption to normal operations, but every effort will be made to minimise those interruptions.
When the system transitions are complete, our members, students, staff and branches will have access to more stable systems with considerably improved functionality and much friendlier user interface.
CONGRATULATIONS TO.....
Eddie Fraser, a JP from Caboolture, who has been shortlisted for the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 2021 as well as been named as a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 for Community Legal Centre!
QJA Quarterly
The Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 recognises and rewards the young rising stars within the legal industry aged 30 and under who excel in their chosen field, displaying key leadership qualities such as dedication, professionalism, and eagerness to grow both themselves and their firm.
The finalist list, which was announced on 3 May 2021, features over 280 high-achieving legal professionals across 30 submission-based categories.
Eddie Fraser, volunteer lawyer at Moreton Bay Regional Community Legal Service, said that he was humbled to be recognised and proud to be named as a finalist in the 30 Under 30 2021, saying that he acknowledged the role of community legal centers and that this represents the unwavering work of everyone at the Moreton Bay Regional Community Legal Service quoting one of his favorite social justice advocates Martin Luther King Jr saying that ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’.
The winners of the awards will be announced at a black-tie dinner on Friday, 11 June, at The Star, Sydney.
