From the Editor

2020: A MEMORABLE YEAR FOR UNIQUE & CHALLENGING REASONS

TIM WHITE, PRESIDENT

It is hard to believe that the we are already in December, and that a year we will never forget is almost at an end. What a roller coaster of emotions it has been for all of us. Whilst we have thus far been fortunate in SA with the number of COVID-19 cases we have had, it has still been an incredibly challenging year.

I write this last article with some sadness, as there remains only about three more weeks of my year as Law Society President. It has been far from the year I was expecting, but despite that, I have still thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the honour of representing the profession. Many of the outcomes I hoped to achieve this year needed to be shelved, overtaken by the daily demands caused by the pandemic.

The Law Society staff have been remarkable this year and have worked incredibly hard for the benefit of our members. Thank you all very much for your commitment and efforts. Like all of us, they have had to be extremely flexible with the roles they fulfil week to week, transitioning between working from the office and at home, responding to increased inquiries from Members, as well as altering how they deliver services to the members.

With the introduction of numerous bills and regulations into Parliament this year, it has been very busy with regards to making submissions. Compared with last year, this year has seen a 30% increase in the number of bills and regulations introduced into the parliament. The Society has been asked to comment on many of these. Added to the increased number of submissions has been the tight timeframes within which comment has been required, especially the pandemicrelated ones.

No doubt, the Chairs and members of the committees are fatigued having received a high number of requests this year for comments on matters relevant to their committee. Thank you for your efforts and considerable input this year. It has greatly assisted us with the quality of submissions we have been able to make. Contributions from committees are essential to the Society’s advocacy, but I hope the load in 2021 will be reduced!

Since March this year, the Law Society has been in frequent contact with the courts and tribunals to work through the implications of restrictions imposed by COVID-19. All jurisdictions have done incredibly well to continue operating in a modified form, thereby enabling ongoing access to justice. Given what I have learned from speaking with presidents of law societies in other countries, we have been very fortunate to have had such access to the courts.

The Society’s working relationships with the Attorney General, the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner and the President of the SA Bar Association have been highly productive this year. They have all been of great assistance to the Society, and more broadly the profession, and have all made themselves readily available which is greatly appreciated.

Media comment, in all forms, remains a regular part of what the President and the Society is asked to undertake. For the most part, our comments this year have been reported fairly and in the full context in which they were provided. Both for the benefit of the profession and the public, we should continue to voice our views through this avenue.

"Adversity often brings out the best in people, and that is what I have primarily seen this year. Lawyers are very stoic and resourceful, so keep up the great work for your clients and the community."

Our regular article in the Advertiser was stopped for several months during 2020, as the paper chose to focus on COVID-19 related coverage. However, in recent months, we have been able to get back to publishing fortnightly articles. These articles provide a useful avenue through which we can connect and communicate to the public on a broad range of topics and build greater trust and respect.

Socially, it has been an isolating year for many of us. Despite having a few in person events at the commencement of the year, since late March there has unfortunately been virtually no Law Society social events. Zoom interaction has been the default. The lack of personal interaction with Council, the Executive and all members of the profession has been the major disappointment for me as President. However, in comparison with the obvious current health and economic challenges we all face, this is a minor issue.