Bankruptcy professionals convening for congress

Bankruptcy professionals in between sessions at a previous Congress
Image courtesy: Traill & Associates  

IT'S that time of year that bankruptcy trustees and those who work with them convene for Traill & Associates' annual National Practical Bankruptcy Congress, Workshops (and cocktail party).

Organised by Rosie Traill, whose sister Kate was recently appointed to the bench as a Judge of the District Court, the two day get together of body snatchers focuses on practical issues facing trustees and their staff and advisors, bringing together some of the best and most experienced operators for a series of practical workshops and interactive, informal talks.

Speakers include O'Neill Partners' consulting solicitor Sally Nash, Ferrier Hodgson's John Melluish, Norton Rose partner David Goldman, and barrister Sandrah Foda. The focus is on practical solutions to key issues.

For example, the challenges of complying with the various state and ARITA codes of independence will be examined through a review by Melluish and Goldman of the recent Federal Court decision of BC39 Pty Ltd v Rambaldi in the matter of Wharington (Bankrupt) [2014] FCA 1076 (7 October 2014), where an examination summons triggered an intensive examination of the trustees's independence and the DIRRI regime.

There'll also be a Family Law panel discussion and interactive discussions relating to fees and remuneration; after acquired property; voidable transactions; dealing with creditors, bankrupts and sheriffs. 

Barrister Brian Skinner will also host a discussion around the issues a trustee should consider in determining whether a possession-related matter is best pursued through the Supreme or Federal Court. For the full program see: 3rd Annual Bankruptcy Congress

The Congress kicks off on Wednesday, October 28 with a day-long program that concludes with a cocktail party at the ArtHouse Hotel, across the road from the congress venue at the Wesley Centre on Pitt Street. Enquiries should be directed to Congress organiser Rosie Traill at: rtraill@traillassociates.com.au

Got a SiNful tale to tell?

LIPS highlights gender split

LIPS Committee from left: Elisabeth Pickthall (Piper Alderman),
Lisa Chapman (Piper Alderman), Jayne Edwards
(Raine & Horne Commercial) and
Laura Stanton (Dean-Willcocks Insolvency Solutions).
Photo courtesy LIPS Committee 

THE gender-exclusive Ladies Insolvency Practitioners  movement made a rare exception last week when it admitted male practitioners to its Christmas soiree.

Most of the year LIPS events are women-only but last Thursday evening the rules were bent. In recognition, blokes thronged the Hunter street offices of host firm O'Neill Partners in numbers that initially saw LIPS' membership outnumbered. 

By 8.00pm O'Neill's L 17 verandah had filled and the ratio was closer to fifty fifty. Unsurprisingly, gender dominated many a discussion.

SiN asked one soiree-goer why she thought so few female insolvency practitioners had become registered liquidators. Her answer? "Personal liability". She had seen a mentor ruined when an appointment went bad. Did she think women might in general be more risk averse than men? She thought it was "possible". But it's likely other factors are also at play.