The South Australian Law Reform Institute (SALRI), based at the Adelaide Law School, conducted its first country succession law reform forums in July 2013, visiting Mount Gambier on Friday 5 July and Port Pirie on Wednesday 10 July. The forums were funded by a grant from the Law Foundation of South Australia.

The panel for each forum was Professor John Williams (SALRI Director), Helen Wighton (SALRI Deputy Director) and Steve Roder (the Registrar of Probates).

The forums focussed on the topics being reviewed under the Attorney-General’s succession law reform reference to SALRI: family provision; review of the rules of intestacy; simplifying the process for recognising interstate grants; whether there should be a will register; simplifying procedures for administration of small deceased estates and resolution of minor disputes; and the role of the Public Trustee in the administration of estates.

The forums allowed SALRI to canvas the views and suggestions of country lawyers experienced in wills and estate work and, through them, the experiences of their clients.

Professor Williams said ‘It was a great pleasure to be able to consult with members of the profession in Mount Gambier and Port Pirie. They brought to the discussion insight based upon practical experience in their communities.’

Eighteen local legal practitioners attended the Mount Gambier session and seven attended the session in Port Pirie. Their comments and suggestions, particularly those reflecting regional concerns, will be considered in future reports on these issues. ‘The generous support of the Registrar of Probates, Mr Steve Roder and the Law Foundation was central to the success of the forums’, said Professor Williams.

Photos below:
Forum in Mt Gambier and Port Pirie