Conduct of parties during proceedings

Updates have been made to Procedural Direction PIC1 – Conduct of parties during proceedings to reflect a range of recent legislative amendments.

Latest news
Show more

Conduct of parties during proceedings

24 Jul 2026

Updates have been made to Procedural Direction PIC1 – Conduct of parties during proceedings to reflect a range of recent legislative amendments.

Updates have been made to Procedural Direction PIC1 – Conduct of parties during proceedings to reflect a range of recent legislative amendments, including:

Industrial Relations Act 1996 
Chapter 3A of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 now prohibits any person from bullying or sexually harassing another person in connection with the person being an employee. This includes the Commission’s decision-makers and staff. PD PIC1 has been updated to reflect these amendments, with paragraph 13(g) requiring representatives to not engage in inappropriate conduct against Commission members, decision-makers or Commission staff, including conduct that may constitute bullying or sexual harassment. Additionally, paragraphs 13(h) and (i) remind representatives of their obligations as ‘other persons’ at a workplace pursuant to s 29 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Court Security Act 2005
From 1 December 2025, NSW Sherriff’s Officers appointed under the Court Security Act 2005 have formally managed the Commission’s security services. Updates to PD PIC1 at paragraph 6 outline the security arrangements in place, including that:

  • visitors are required to submit to security screening processes
  • restricted or prohibited items are not to be brought onto the premises
  • recordings or photos are prohibited.

Workers Compensation Act 1987 
Under the new s 195 of the Workers Compensation Act 1987, the legal representative for the insurer must, at the time of lodging an application or a reply, certify that the insurer’s case has reasonable prospects of success, and the cost of the insurer’s action in commencing or defending the proceedings is proportionate to the claim and the significance of the issues in dispute. PD PIC1 has been amended at paragraph 18 to reflect this new requirement.

Read PD PIC1 - Conduct of parties during proceedings

Print