National Elder Law and Succession Law Committee
In recognition of Australia's ageing population and the related growth in demand for elder law legal advice and services, the Law Council has a National Elder Law and Succession Law Committee to respond to issues of national significance in this key area of the law.
The objective of the National Elder Law and Succession Law Committee is to represent the views of the legal profession at the national level on matters related to elder law and succession law. It will achieve this objective by monitoring and responding to government initiatives relating to elder law and succession law, proactively initiating or advocating for policy initiatives and/or legislative changes relating to elder law and succession law, and by conducting community education on legal issues related to older persons.
Issues
The key issues of focus for the Committee are:
- uniformity of enduring powers of attorney;
- matters relating to the administration of estates;
- issues related to elder abuse, including capacity issues, undue influence, entering into guarantees and reverse mortgages in the interests of others, and misuses of influence by carers;
- issues relating to guardianship laws;
- certain specific issues in relation to superannuation, such as superannuation death benefits;
- matters arising from aged care and retirement villages;
- costs and access to justice issues that relate specifically to the older persons.
- family agreements, such as 'granny flats'; and
- age discrimination and human rights issues affecting older persons.
Members
The current membership of the Committee consists of:
- Darryl Browne (Chair) – Law Society of New South Wales
- Emma Bragg – Law Society of Australian Capital Territory
- Mercia Chapman – Law Institute of Victoria
- Elizabeth Heenan – Law Society of Western Australia
- Rod Genders – Law Society of South Australia
- Richard Henschke – Law Society Northern Territory and Northern Territory Bar Association
- Kimberley Martin – Law Society of Tasmania
- Karen Williams – Queensland Law Society
- Arthur Koumoukelis – Expert member
Contact
Janina Richert
T. 02 6246 3732
E. janina.richert@lawcouncil.au
Last Updated on 30/01/2025