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The CLA is a recognised leader in the provision of continuing professional development (CPD). We offer very competitive membership rates — $255pa for individuals and $485 for firms. CLA members receive a 17% discount for our lunchtime seminars and a 25% discount for our half-day seminars and one-day conferences. Members also receive a subscription to our refereed journal, the Commercial Law Quarterly.

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Upcoming Events

Lunchtime Series

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23 October, 2026

Estoppel

Emeritus Professor John Carter, General Editor, Contract and Commercial Law Review; Consultant, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer; Jeffrey Goldberger, Legal Consultant; Hon Steven Rares KC, 12 Wentworth Selborne Chambers (Chair)

CLA Queensland

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28 October, 2026

Mind the gap: unavailable witnesses, missing documents and inferential fact finding at trial

Claire Schneider, Level Twenty Seven Chambers, Brisbane; Alison Haly, mediator (Chair)

Halfday seminar

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30 October, 2026

Emerging trends in class actions litigation

Jason Betts, Partner, Head of Class Actions, HSF Kramer (Chair); Hon Justice Michael Lee, Federal Court of Australia (keynote speaker); Mel Gladstone, Partner, HSF Kramer; Tony Urwin, Assistant Director-General National Partnerships, Australian Cyber Security Centre, Australian Signals Directorate; Tamir Maltz, Barrister, 12 Wentworth Selborne Chambers; Christine Wong, Partner, HSF Kramer; Aoife Xuereb, Partner, HSF Kramer; Kate Morgan SC, Barrister, Omnia Chambers; Norman Simon, Partner and Head of Class Actions (US), and Head of Advertising Disputes (US), HSF Kramer

Lunchtime Series

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13 November, 2026

Waiver and Election

Emeritus Professor John Carter, General Editor, Contract and Commercial Law Review; Consultant, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer; Jeffrey Goldberger, Legal Consultant

Our seminars are available in person or simultaneously via Zoom. Choose your preference when booking.

News

Christine Lithgow steps in as interim CEO

The Commercial Law Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Lithgow as Chief Executive Officer. Christine will initially take on the role on a six-month contract.
 
Christine is a fellow of the CLA and a graduate of Sydney University, graduating with honours in Arts and Law, as well as a masters in law. Christine has served as a non-executive director of the CLA, resigning to facilitate her appointment as CEO.
 
Christine brings to the role more than 30 years experience as a practising lawyer, business manager and leader. Christine is looking forward to supporting the CLA team, the Board and members, to ensure we continue to deliver the high quality services the CLA is known for.
 
The CLA congratulates outgoing CEO, James Koulouris, on his recent appointment to a top executive role with Barker College though regrettably this means he is resigning from his role as CEO with the CLA.  We wish him every success in his next endeavour and thank him for his service to the CLA.
 

Commuter CPD Podcast

Online CPD videos

CLQ Vol40 No2 June-August 2026

CLQ Vol40 No2 June-August 2026

• Recent developments in financial services law
• The constructive trust over copyright: a raw deal for activists?
• The measurement and assessment of damages for contraventions of the ACL that induce contract (or contractual) variations
• Seasonal uncertainty: the Court reins in creative construction:
• Failure of contractual performance: remedial issues in light of recent appellate authority 
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