NSW CIVIL PROCEDURE HANDBOOK.

The "NSW Civil Procedure Handbook 2025" by Thomson Reuters is a comprehensive guide for practitioners involved in civil litigation in New South Wales, Australia. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Procedural and Evidence Legislation:

   • The handbook provides essential procedural and evidence legislation, ensuring practitioners have access to the most current and relevant laws governing civil litigation in NSW.

2. Annotations and Commentary:

   • It includes annotations and commentary from Thomson Reuters’ NSW Civil Practice and Procedure service, which is guided by experts such as The Hon John P Hamilton KC, The Hon Justice Geoff Lindsay AM, and Carol Webster SC.

3. Court Practice Notes:

   • The handbook covers new and updated Practice Notes issued by the Supreme Court of NSW and District Court of NSW, including the recent restrictions on the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) in affidavit preparation and witness statements.

4. Court Procedures:

   • It addresses the requirements for practice within the framework of the Civil Procedure Act and Uniform Rules, providing detailed guidance on court procedures and practices.

5. Practical Tools:

   • The book features practical tools such as thumb tabs, rich tables of contents, cases, shading on annotations, detailed page headings, and a subject index, making it easy to navigate and find relevant information.

Critical Reception

While specific reviews of the 2025 edition are not readily available, the previous editions of the handbook have been well-received in the legal community for their comprehensive coverage and practical utility. The handbook is widely regarded as an essential resource for NSW practitioners due to its thorough annotations to key legislation and its regular updates to reflect changes in the law and court practices.

Comparison with Other Resources

• Ritchie's Uniform Civil Procedure NSW: This is another authoritative guide to civil litigation in NSW, known for its thorough annotations to key legislation. While both resources are highly regarded, Ritchie's is often referred to as the "Bible" of civil procedure in NSW, offering extensive coverage of local court practices and forms.

Conclusion

The "NSW Civil Procedure Handbook 2025" is a critical resource for any practitioner involved in civil litigation in New South Wales. Its comprehensive coverage of procedural and evidence legislation, along with practical tools and updates on recent court practice notes, make it an indispensable guide for navigating the complexities of NSW civil procedure.