Sarah Carr, Janet Coombs Chambers

29/05/2020

1 item off the Bucket List:
I now have “my name on a wall”!
Thank you to Podium Signs & Installations.

15/03/2020

JURY TRIALS TO BE SUSPENDED:

The Supreme Court and District Court have taken the extraordinary step of suspending jury trials from tomorrow.
I am due to appear for an accused who is in custody awaiting trial. It is unclear how this will affect those who have waited months for their trial date: will they get to 'stand in the line' and wait for juries to resume, or are we set to accept another date months into the future.

03/02/2020

Congratulations to Best Supercharged and Best Turbo Charged.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to sponsor these awards.

Street Life Automotive Lifestyle Saturday 1st February Car & Bike Show Trophy Winners

25/01/2020

This week I was able to make myself available to the local Legal Aid lawyers after my hearing matter concluded.

I was grateful to be in a position to assist my colleagues and the Court to ensure that clients in custody were seen promptly and with appropriate time to ensure their cases could be effectively managed. 16 clients in custody is a LOT to manage in a single day.

And a 'thanks' to the Local Police who decided to run a Warrant Operation: nothing makes a day more enjoyable that 2 clients, each with 6 H # 🤦🏻‍♀️

18/01/2020

One of my favourite opportunities in being a Barrister is the flexibility to make active choices about my day.
This week I was grateful to be able to assist a solicitor who is considering her future; including when, or if, she is being called to the Bar.

If you have any questions about what could be the next step/s in your career, reach out. Ask a colleague, ask a friend.... or DM someone who commented on your post 😏

03/01/2020

THIS is leadership.
This is helping..
This is appreciating that those fighting this beast need to have 1 less thing to worry about.

[And I don't even bank with NAB 😏]

29/12/2019

This is practical support being directed to those doing the hard yards.
Any help is help. As a country we owe a great debt to those who put their bodies on the line to protect the rest of us.

29/11/2019

Did you know you can check if a car is registered? [Even if it is not your own vehicle!]
It is free, and may save you an infringement, or even a Court date.

A thank you to Novus Law Group - Penrith Lawyers for sharing this helpful link.

You can check a vehicle's registration details online. A free registration check includes: the registration expiry date whether the registration is suspended or cancelled any registration restrictions any registration concessions (additional charges that might apply when transferred to a new owner)....

13/11/2019

Is your insurance adequate?
Do you have a will?

Insurers have already received about 360 claims from the NSW fires. We run you through what you need to know, what cover you need, and when it's too late to get it.

11/11/2019

"If a fire is burning it can impact property before we even receive a 000 call..."

Decisions have been made to close schools, cancel sporting activities, close businesses and open, public areas. This level of risk has NEVER been invoked before. It could all 'come to nothing'. But the risk/s posed by the conditions all coming together mean that preparation and avoidance is the best chance to ensure safety.

The Commissioner of the RFS has been granted 'emergency powers'.

These powers include the ability to:

* Direct any government agency to conduct or refrain from conducting its functions;
* Control and coordinate the allocation of government resources;
* Evacuate people from property within the declared area;
* Close roads and thoroughfares to traffic;
* Pull down or shore up infrastructure at risk of collapse;
* Order the shutdown of essential utilities in the declared area including electricity, gas, oil and water; and
* Enter or take possession of property in the course of the emergency response.

This means the RFS (and other personnel) are ALLOWED to control the area. They can tell you to leave, they can block off a road and they can pull down buildings or other infrastructure. Please let emergency personnel do their jobs.

It is hoped that in 24 hours times this response will seem 'over the top'. But we have seen destruction that comes in the flames. Homes can be lost. Lives can be lost. Lets all work together to minimise the harm, even if that means inconveniences in the short term.

Catastrophic fire danger is forecast for Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter and Illawarra Shoalhaven areas on Tuesday 12 November 2019. High temperatures, strong winds and low humidity are forecast, making conditions dangerous. A statewide total fire ban remains for the rest of NSW.

09/11/2019

"The review found “widespread noncompliance” with law and policy by family and community services (Facs) caseworkers and managers. Facs staff routinely ignored the requirement to consult regularly with Aboriginal families and communities, and routinely chose removal over other, less intrusive, options available. Willing and available Aboriginal family members were routinely ignored and siblings, including twins, were separated unnecessarily."

In my experience: this approach is not limited to Aboriginal families. There is regularly an approach of 'well, we know better... why are you even trying to question what we are doing' (even in circumstances where the department is clearly acting against the law, or policy).

There are times when children are not safe in their homes. There are times when parents are not good at the job.
But once the department is involved, its patronising 'we-know-best' approach can be impossible to fight.

Leaving children without their family.
Leaving children without their siblings.
Leaving a child without a home.
Often at times when an appropriate alternative carer can be provided.

I have considered foster caring within my own family home. The first hurdle that causes me to stop is that I would become part of the system and unable to step away from those who decide what they decide; when they can, because they can and with little or no regard for the traumatic impact that can have on the lives of the people who's futures they control.

A damning review of Facs’ approach to Aboriginal families finds urgent reform is needed

07/11/2019

Spent this week attending my first Meeting of the Board and helping Little Miss prepare for Big School next year.

One of the benefits of my way of doing it is that I have greater control over how I spend my time, and who I can help.

On Monday I represented a victim of significant trauma, successfully having her matter dismissed in favour of supporting her ongoing treatment, and tomorrow I assist my client as he learns the cost of buying someone else's citizenship in the 1990s.

A varied week 'to be me'.