Recorded Webinar: Property Lawyers – 3 CPD Compulsory Topics

This webinar comprises 3 one-hour sessions covering each of the compulsory CPD subjects for property lawyers.

SESSION 1: Ethics: Practical Ethics in Property Matters

Presented by: Tony Cahill, Legal Author Commentator, Chatswood, NSW

• Property practitioners know that client identification and the right to deal with property is a hot issue. This session looks at the practical ways to deal with the ID problem and avoid ethics risk in the process:
• Gaining proof of identity and the right to deal with a property – what is required?
• Client identification in the e-conveyancing framework – ethics implications
• Is your client a foreigner? – ethics implications of determining non-resident status for tax and duty purposes
• Proof of identity where an entity is the client - going behind the veil
• Taking reasonable steps in establishing identity – what does this mean?
• Understanding and managing the risk of client identity fraud
• Ethical dilemmas when faced with information you suspect is false or misleading
• Determining authority to act in transactions
• Taking instructions – who are you taking instructions from and why does it matter?
• Dealing with government authorities where client identity matters
• Case study

Session 2: Professional Skills: Keeping Up in the Digital Era: A Primer for Property Lawyers

Presented by: Claire Martin, Property Lawyer, Kreisson, Sydney

From PEXA to eContracts, the use of technology in the property sector continues to grow. This session ensures your skills are up to date in this ever-evolving landscape. It covers:

• Nature of electronic communications in property transactions – when are they enough to create a binding contract?
• What can you do to prevent email communications from being binding – drafting tips
• eConveyancing – where are we up to?
• Verification of identity issues and PEXA
• What should you be doing now to prepare for the mandatory roll-out of electronic conveyancing
• Maintaining safe computer system security – consequences of failure
• The dramatic changes to SRO forms – mandatory use of electronic forms

Session 3: Practice Management Business Skills: Building a Profitable Property Law Practice

Presented by: Jeremy Duffy, Principal, Duffy Legal, Adelaide

The future of the legal profession has understandably left many practitioners feeling nervous. Clients are cost-conscious, work is drying up, and technology is threatening to replace the role of lawyers in many areas. Survival in this environment is not just about working harder; it’s about acting smarter. This session examines how to build a financially healthy property law practice. It covers:

• Strategies for individual lawyers to increase profitability
• Understanding the key drivers of financial success
• Profit versus cash flow in legal practice
• Limiting write offs – risk management and pro?t control
• Alternative fee models and impact on pro?tability – a property law practice focus
• Streamlining practices and other time savers as ways to improve the bottom line
• Marketing and its impact on profitability
• Case study – an example of a property law practice run profitably