In late 2011, the NSW Parliament passed legislation which significantly changes the way pollution incidents are to be reported and managed in NSW. Aspects of the legislation are now due to commence and impose new notification and reporting requirements on environment protection licensees, or anyone whose activities cause or threaten material harm to the environment.

Congratulations to Daniel Kaufman from Lander & Rogers' Family & Relationship Law group, who recently gained specialist accreditation Family Law.

Lander & Rogers announced that it has launched an initiative called Women's Business, which is focussed on the firm's female client contacts and female staff who aspire to sit on company boards.

Lander & Rogers announced that OH&S specialist, Leveasque Peterson, has joined the firm's national Workplace Relations & Safety team as a partner in their Melbourne office.

On 2 September 2011 the High Court granted the Bendigo TAFE special leave to appeal the decision of a majority of the Full Court of the Federal Court regarding adverse action against a trade union delegate.

New pre-litigation obligations applicable to certain federal civil proceedings have been introduced by the Civil Dispute Resolution Act 2011 (Cth).

The recent Sweetwater case provides some interesting guidance on the kinds of security that the Land and Environment Court considers will satisfy the requirements of section 93F(3)(g) of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act.

FWA's decision to allow retail employers to reduce the existing 3-hour casual minimum engagement period for certain casual employees has been stayed.

Law firm Lander & Rogers has made a significant move to bolster its financial services capability, with a seven-person team from Freehills set to join the firm's Melbourne office.

Aaron Goonrey, senior associate in our Workplace Relations & Safety group, will be running a session on adverse action claims at this year's Fair Work Summit in Sydney.