Sydney Law School students provide real value to community

6 November 2015

On Friday, Oct. 23, the Sydney Law School students of Commercial Dispute Resolution presented their ‘protocol’ for use with the recently passed, Food & Grocery Code. The forum, organised by course lecturer and barrister, Derek Minus, was held as part of an assessment in the Sydney University Law School Moot Court. It brought Sydney law students directly in contact with relevant legislation and legislators in a way that their knowledge directly benefits the community.

University of Sydney Law School
The class of Commercial Dispute Resolution with the judging panel (Photo credit: University of Sydney)

Federal Parliament passed the Food & Grocery Code to manage relationships between food retailers (large supermarkets) wholesalers and suppliers under the Competition & Consumer Act 2010. Suppliers who voluntarily subscribe to the Code that are in dispute with supermarkets are able to go directly into negotiation, mediation or arbitration processes.
Students were tasked with developing a dispute resolution protocol that provides suppliers and their solicitors with a clear understanding of the dispute resolution procedures available, and how they can be accessed under the Code. Their recommendations are of immediate assistance to any supplier who wants to easily navigate through the dispute resolution process.
The Hon. Bruce Billson MP, former federal Minister for Small Business, who was a major driver behind the creation of the Code was invited as a panelist judge. He was joined by Chris Preston, Director Legal and Regulatory Affairs with the Australian Food & Grocery Council.
The forum was an opportunity to directly influence the policy implementation in this area and is the first of its kind at the Sydney Law School. The students operated at the cutting edge, with this legislation being only two months old. Future students will be presented with similar opportunities, if relevant legislation is available and senior advisors are willing to partake.
The Sydney Law School is committed to providing a forum for discussion of legal matters that touch upon current Australian commercial practice. Our students were able to demonstrate their abilities to develop something of real value to the community while also enhancing their legal practice skills.

Story by Isabella Dinhvu

University of Sydney Law School Information Sessions in Canada

Would you like more information about studying law at the University of Sydney? Sydney Law School and OzTREKK are pleased to present the University of Sydney Law School Information Sessions to be held in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa this November!

Vancouver
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015
Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Venue: Westin Bayshore, 1601 Bayshore Dr. Vancouver, BC V6G 2V4
Toronto
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
Venue: Westin Harbour Castle, 1 Harbour Square, Toronto, ON M5J 1A6
Ottawa
Date: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
Venue: The Westin, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4
Register for a Sydney Law School information session: http://study.oztrekk.com/sydney-law-school/
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Find out more about the Sydney law info sessions, or about studying at Sydney Law School! Contact OzTREKK’s Australian Law Schools Admissions Officer Shannon Tilston for more information at shannon@oztrekk.com or call toll free in Canada at 1-866-698-7355.

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