Country lawyers face a number of unique challenges in comparison to those who work in an urban environment. Western Australia is the largest state in the country, encompassing some of the most remote locations and greatest distances to travel to our capital city.
Country Practitioners Committee
The Law Society of Western Australia’s Country Practitioners Committee represents and engages with country lawyers on the issues most relevant to them.
It tackles issues such as recruitment and retention, the availability and effective use of video link technology and the particular effects of country life and practice, such as isolation, on practitioner mental health.
A CPD Programme that Works for Country Lawyers
The Law Society understands that issues of travel and accommodation costs can make it difficult to attend Continuing Professional Development seminars. That’s why the Law Society has developed a CPD Programme that is tailored to the needs of rural, regional and remote practitioners.
The Law Society is offering more CPD webinars than ever before – allowing country practitioners to access the same high-quality learning, delivered by leading speakers, as their counterparts in Perth.
Our eLearning platform was developed specifically with country practitioners in mind, to overcome the tyranny of distance and allow country lawyers the convenience to enjoy outstanding CPD seminars wherever and whenever they choose.
Rural, Regional and Remote Law
Rural, Regional and Remote Law is an initiative of the Law Council of Australia. It gives current and aspiring legal practitioners an insight into what life is like in rural, regional and remote Australia by breaking down myths and highlighting the exciting opportunities available across Australia.
It is funded by the Australian Government as part of a broader project on recruitment and retention of lawyers in rural, regional and remote areas undertaken by the National Association of Community Legal Centres Inc.
Resources
- Guide to Setting Up or Selling a Law Practice in Western Australia (members only)
- Cyberprecedent – online cybersecurity resources from the Law Council of Australia
- Anti-Money Laundering Guide for Legal Practitioners
- Legal practitioners and conveyancers: a model for regulation under Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime
- Bullying and harassment in the workplace
- Ethical and Practice Guidelines
Law Society Costs Kits
The Law Society of Western Australia has developed two cost kits to assist legal practices:
- The Law Society of Western Australia Standard Costs Kit
- The Law Society of Western Australia Family Law Costs Kit
Both kits contain:
- Offer by Law Practice to enter into Costs Agreement
- Explanatory Notes for Clients
- Explanatory Notes for Law Practices – Disclosure and Costs Agreements
- Sample Engagement Letter
Members can access cost kits for free through your member’s dashboard.
Non-members may purchase cost kits through the Law Society online shop.
Legal Profession Regulations 2009 – Forms and Fact Sheets
Forms 2 and 3
Regulations 80(1) and 82(1) of the Legal Profession Regulations 2009 refer to the following forms in Schedule 1:
Form 2: Legal Costs – Your Right to Know
Form 3: Form of Notification of Client’s Rights
Fact Sheets
The forms state that for more information about their rights, clients should read the following fact sheets:
- Legal Costs – Your Right to Know (Regulation 80(1)); and
- Your Right to Challenge Legal Costs (Regulations 82(1)).