Law Week 2020 hits the right note! – Review
Highlights of the Week
Highlights of the week included the annual Law Access Walk for Justice which successfully became a virtual meeting place of individuals, teams, workplaces, family members and enthusiastic pets, all participating in their own fun way around the State and beyond. The explosion of social media posts and photographs were testimony to people’s delight at being able to come together safely with the uniting purpose of raising funds for prob bono legal services via Law Access, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Law Society of Western Australia.
Access to Justice Online Forum
Another successful event attracting an audience of more than 250 was the Law Society’s Access to Justice in 2020 online forum hosted by Mark Beyer from Business News and live streamed by Business News. This was a wonderful opportunity to hear from leaders in their areas on issues such as the new Pro Bono Model in Western Australia, the effect of COVID-19 on legal processes, mental health, domestic violence, tenancy, and the importance of justice reinvestment. A distinguished panel comprised of the Hon Peter Quinlan, Chief Justice of Western Australia, Nicholas van Hattem, President of the Law Society of Western Australia, Clare Mould, Senior Associate and Pro Bono Coordinator Corrs Chambers Westgarth Perth; Corina Martin, CEO, Aboriginal Family Law Services; Sharryn Jackson, Executive Director, Community Legal WA; and Shayla Strapps, CEO Mental Health Law Centre all provided us with an hour of stimulating discussion, opinion and insights into the role of the law in our community and the importance of access to justice in 2020.
Community Events
Community events included Curtin Law School Clinics Showcase which ran two sessions on Tuesday, 19 May. The Curtin Law School Clinics offer access to justice for vulnerable members of our community and through the supervised work of Clinic students, clients receive pro bono advice and assistance with legal and tax issues. The sessions included students from the John Curtin Law Clinic and Curtin Tax Clinic together with and Rosaline Tan, Principal Lawyer, Annette Morgan, Director and Donovan Castelyn, Clinic Supervisor.
The Corruption and Crime Commission were pleased to make available their recording from 2019 Law Week on a Mock Examination. Viewers could see first-hand what a Commission examination may involve and the internal workings of the procedures.
Law Week activities ended with a focus on regional practitioners who, more than most, understand the isolating impact of distance that can make it more difficult to get together in any one region as a profession. The RRR day is a Law Society annual event during Law Week where regional practitioners usually come to Perth to share collegiality and support, and to learn from each other through tailored Continuing Professional Development. Zoom to the rescue once again ensuring the ‘show still goes on’. This free event for Country members of the Law Society has over 55 participants from all around the State.
