Law Society of Western Australia News
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Banksia Hill Lockdowns of Teens Ruled Illegal is Unsurprising to the Law Society of Western Australia
Wednesday, 12 July 2023 The decision published by Justice Tottle yesterday in the Supreme Court of Western Australia finding that …
Read moreLaw Society Welcomes “Fresh Set of Eyes” on the Banksia Hill Detention Centre
Thursday, 8 June 2023 The Law Society of Western Australia (the Law Society) President Ante Golem today welcomed the decision …
Read moreWhy is the Young Offenders Amendment Bill 2023 required?
Wednesday, 17 May 2023 The McGowan Government announcement today that amendments to the Young Offenders Act 1994 (Act) would be …
Read moreJoint Media Release: The Law Society of Western Australia and Law Access Ltd | Pro Bono Lawyers Walk for Justice
Tuesday, 16 May 2023 The annual Law Access Walk for Justice on Tuesday, 16 May celebrates National Pro Bono …
Read moreNo Surprises at Banksia Hill on Tuesday/Wednesday Morning
Thursday, 11 May 2023 The Law Society of Western Australia (the Law Society) has and continues to raise its concerns …
Read moreOpinion Piece by Law Society President Ante Golem: Government’s Disregard for Rule of Law a Dangerous Precedent
Published in The West Australian on Thursday, 13 April 2023 Our democracy and structures of government are underpinned by …
Read moreThe Law Society Congratulates New President of Mental Health Tribunal
Monday, 5 December 2022 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Dr Andrew Lu AM on his appointment as the …
Read moreThe Law Society of Western Australia’s Young Lawyers Committee Presented with the 2022 Australian Young Lawyer Organisation Award
22 November 2022 The Law Society of Western Australia’s Young Lawyers Committee was honoured on Friday, 18 November 2022, …
Read moreThe Law Society Congratulates New Life Members
16 November 2022 Congratulations to The Hon Rene Le Miere KC, Greg McIntyre SC, The Hon John McKechnie KC, Theodore …
Read moreVale Robert Meadows KC
16 November 2022 The Law Society of Western Australia is saddened to hear of the passing of Robert Meadows KC, …
Read moreJoint Media Release: Law Council of Australia and the Law Society of Western Australia | Excessive use of force on children unconscionable
15 November 2022 The Law Council of Australia and the Law Society of Western Australia are deeply concerned by the …
Read moreLaw Society President says sending children to the main maximum-security prison in Western Australia is not the right solution and there needs to be a rethink
25 October 2022 The President of the Children’s Court has made a number of judicial announcements on how inappropriate it …
Read moreFarewell to the Honourable Kevin Hammond AO
Tuesday 25 October 2022 The Law Society is saddened to hear of the passing of the Honourable Kevin Hammond …
Read more2023 Council Election – Meet the Nominees!
Wednesday, 19 October 2022 Congratulations once again to Ante Golem who was declared to be elected as President and Paula Wilkinson and Gary Mack who …
Read moreLaw Society Raises Concerns on the Liquor Control Amendment (PEP) Bill 2022
Friday, 14 October 2022 The Law Society recently received a briefing from the Government regarding the amendments to the …
Read more2023 Law Society President Elected
13 October 2022 Ante Golem has been declared elected as the Law Society of Western Australia’s President for 2023. Mr …
Read moreR U OK? Day – President’s Message
Thursday, 8 September 2022 Today is R U OK? Day. It’s our national day of action when we remind Australians …
Read moreLaw Society Welcomes Reforms in Promoting Equality for Western Australians
Tuesday, 16 August 2022 The Law Society welcomes the announcement today by the Attorney General, the Hon John Quigley MLA …
Read moreNotice of General Meeting on 14 July 2022
Tuesday, 5 July 2022 In accordance with Rule 40 of the Law Society of Western Australia Inc Constitution, notice is …
Read moreLaw Society Awarded Lotterywest Grant Towards Preservation of Legal Cultural Heritage
Thursday, 20 June 2022 The Law Society of Western Australia has been awarded a grant of $96,810 from Lotterywest …
Read moreJoint Media Release: The Law Society of Western Australia and Law Access Ltd Sign a New Memorandum of Understanding
Thursday, 16 June 2022 The Law Society of Western Australia and Law Access Ltd signed a new Memorandum of …
Read moreWestern Australian Legal Profession to Join the Legal Profession Uniform Law Scheme on 1 July 2022
Wednesday, 1 June 2022 The State Attorney General John Quigley has announced that Western Australia will officially join …
Read moreLaw Society Welcomes Appointment of Director of Public Prosecutions to Supreme Court
Wednesday, 1 June 2022 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Director of Public Prosecutions, Amanda Forrester SC, …
Read moreLaw Society Welcomes Appointment of State Solicitor of Western Australia to District Court
Wednesday, 18 May 2022 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates State Solicitor Nicholas Egan PSM on his appointment …
Read moreThe Law Society of Western Australia and Law Access Joint Press Release: Pro Bono Lawyers Once Again Walk for Justice
Tuesday, 17 May 2022 The annual Law Access Walk for Justice on Tuesday, 17 May celebrates National Pro Bono Day …
Read moreLegal Profession Uniform Law Passes Parliament
Tuesday, 5 April 2022 The Law Society of Western Australia has welcomed the announcement by the State Attorney General, …
Read moreThe Law Society Congratulates Judge Hylton Quail on Reappointment as Children’s Court President
Friday, 11 March 2022 The Law Society warmly congratulates District Court Judge Hylton Quail on his appointment as President of …
Read moreTime to Reconsider the Retirement Age of Judges
Thursday, 24 February 2022 The President of the Law Society of Western Australia, Rebecca Lee, agrees it is time to …
Read moreThe Law Society Welcomes Two Major Reviews of WA’s Sexual Assault Laws
The Law Society welcomes today’s announcement by the WA Government that it has instigated two major reviews of WA’s sexual …
Read moreLaw Society Welcomes Appointment of Henry Jackson SC to District Court
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates planning and environment lawyer Henry Jackson SC on his appointment as a Judge …
Read moreJoint Press Release: The Law Society of Western Australia and Law Access | Planned Law Access Leadership Transition Creates New Opportunities for Growth
Tuesday, 14 December 2021 Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC is retiring as Chairman of the Law Access Board on …
Read moreDo you have a Will? Is it Valid?
3 December 2021 Small changes to WA’s laws when people die without a valid will to have a big impact …
Read moreReport corrects perception of lawyers
5 November 2021 Australia’s legal profession prides itself on providing a voice for people in need, but it has …
Read more2022 Law Society President Elected
Thursday, 14 October 2021 Rebecca Lee has been declared elected as the Law Society of Western Australia’s President …
Read moreRU OK? Day – Message from the President
Thursday, 9 September 2021 is R U OK? Day. This year the message is: “Are they really OK? Ask them today”. …
Read moreJoint Media Statement: Funding certainty to help Law Access meet pro bono demand
Friday, 27 August 2021 Law Access and its founder and parent body, the Law Society of Western Australia, welcome …
Read moreThe Courts Legislation Amendment (Magistrates) Bill 2021 – Potential ramifications for the independence of the judiciary
Wednesday, 4 August 2021 The Courts Legislation Amendment (Magistrates) Bill 2021 (Bill) was introduced on 23 June 2021. Yesterday the Law Society of …
Read moreThe Courts Legislation Amendment (Magistrates) Bill 2021 – Potential ramifications for the independence of the judiciary
3 August 2021 The Law Society understands that the Courts Legislation Amendment (Magistrates) Bill 2021 (Bill) introduced on 23 June 2021 has …
Read moreCluedunnit Kids 2021: Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, 20 July 2021 Cluedunnit Kids gets Year 6 and Year 5/6 student teams to investigate a fictional criminal …
Read moreAustralian legal profession records strong growth as more women enter the profession
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 The 2020 National Profile of Solicitors in Australia, released in Sydney today on behalf of …
Read moreThe Law Society welcomes the State Solicitor’s Office as an independent sub-department
Thursday, 8 July 2021 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes today’s announcement by the State Attorney General, the …
Read moreNAIDOC Week – Heal Country!
Thursday, 1 July 2021 NAIDOC Week runs from 4 to 14 July 2021. Despite all the challenges of …
Read moreJustice Delayed is Justice Denied – WA Courts in Crisis
Thursday, 17 June 2021 In April 2021, the Law Society of Western Australia issued a media statement raising …
Read moreNew Judicial Appointments to the District Court
Tuesday, 1 June 2021 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates barrister Lisa Campbell-Tovey and Supreme Court Registrar …
Read moreFederal Budget 2021-22 – Investment in Addressing Sexual Harassment
Wednesday, 12 May 2021 The Law Society of Western Australia is pleased that the Federal Government has made …
Read moreThe Urgent Need for Criminal Courts in Western Australia
Tuesday, 20 April 2021 The Law Society of Western Australia has raised concerns with the State Attorney General about the …
Read moreThe Law Society Strongly Opposes Mandatory Sentencing
Monday, 18 January 2021 The Law Society of Western Australia is firmly opposed to mandatory sentencing in any form …
Read moreSenior Counsel Appointments 2020
Wednesday, 25 November 2020 The Law Society congratulates the six practitioners appointed as Senior Counsel, as announced today by …
Read more2021 Law Society Council – Meet the Nominees
Wednesday, 21 October 2020 Nominations for election to the 2021 Law Society Council closed on Wednesday, 14 October. Congratulations once …
Read moreMedia Statement: 2021 Law Society President Elected
Thursday, 15 October 2020 Jocelyne Boujos has been declared elected as the Law Society of Western Australia’s President …
Read moreMedia Statement: WA Supreme Court Judgment Delivered Today Following Trial of Bradley Robert Edwards
Thursday, 24 September 2020 “This is a trial like no other. This is a trial like every other. Those apparently …
Read morePodcast Series – Controversy & Celebrity: Perth’s Mayoral Candidates (Episode 7)
Tuesday, 22 September 2020 In our final episode of Controversy & Celebrity, Basil Zempilas discusses how his upbringing and …
Read morePodcast Series – Controversy & Celebrity: Perth’s Mayoral Candidates (Episode 6)
Monday, 21 September 2020 Having narrowly missed out on a council seat in 2017, Activate Perth chair Di Bain …
Read morePodcast Series – Controversy & Celebrity: Perth’s Mayoral Candidates (Episode 5)
Friday, 18 September 2020 Local businessman Bruce Reynolds launched his campaign for the City of Perth’s lord mayoralty just one day before …
Read morePodcast Series – Controversy & Celebrity: Perth’s Mayoral Candidates (Episode 4)
Thursday, 17 September 2020 In Episode 4 from our Controversy & Celebrity podcast, hosted by Law Society President Nicholas …
Read morePodcast Series – Controversy & Celebrity: Perth’s Mayoral Candidates (Episode 3)
Wednesday, 16 September 2020 In the latest from our Controversy & Celebrity podcast, hosted by Law Society President Nicholas …
Read morePodcast Series – Controversy & Celebrity: Perth’s Mayoral Candidates (Episode 2)
Tuesday, 15 September 2020 In our second episode of Controversy & Celebrity, hosted by Law Society President Nicholas Van …
Read moreLaunch of New Podcast Series – Controversy & Celebrity: Perth’s Mayoral Candidates
Monday, 14 September August 2020 The Law Society is excited to announce the launch of our new podcast, “Controversy …
Read moreR U OK? Day – President’s Message
Thursday, 10 September 2020 is R U OK? Day, a national day of action to inspire and empower people to …
Read moreMedia Statement on the Iron Ore Processing (Mineralogy Pty. Ltd.) Agreement Act
Wednesday, 19 August 2020 Last week, Parliament passed a law which challenges fundamental legal principles. The law unilaterally …
Read moreNew Judicial Appointments to the Magistrates Court
Friday, 31 July 2020 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the announcement by the Attorney General the Hon …
Read moreNew Judicial Appointments to the District Court
Thursday, 30 July 2020 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Magistrate Martin Flynn, Gary Massey and Karen Shepherd …
Read moreVale The Honourable Michael Murray AM QC
Tuesday, 28 July 2020 The Law Society is saddened to hear of the passing of the Honourable Justice Michael …
Read moreCluedunnit Kids 2020: Awards Ceremony
Monday, 27 July 2020 The awards ceremony for the Law Society of Western Australia’s Cluedunnit Kids, an annual Law …
Read moreThe Law Society of Western Australia Welcomes Announcement that $6.2m Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy is Moving to Next Phase
Wednesday, 15 July 2020 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the announcement from the State Government today that …
Read moreStatement to the WA Legal Profession from the Executive of the Law Society of Western Australia on Sexual Harassment in any Profession, any Workplace
Thursday, 25 June 2020 There is no place for sexual harassment in any profession, any workplace. Sexual harassment is both unlawful …
Read morePublic Notice: The Heads of Jurisdiction of the Courts and Tribunals in Western Australia are Committed to Ensuring a Safe Working Environment for All Staff
Wednesday, 24 June 2020 A Public Notice has been issued that the heads of jurisdiction of the courts and tribunals …
Read moreJoint Media Statement: The Law Society and Law Access Welcome Legal Funding Boost to Help WA’s Most Vulnerable and Disadvantaged
Wednesday, 24 June 2020 The Law Society of Western Australia and Law Access welcome the announcement today by the Attorney …
Read moreUpdate on Uniform Law
Friday, 13 March 2020 The Attorney General the Hon John Quigley MLA has advised that the Legal Profession Uniform Law …
Read moreThe Law Society Welcomes Comprehensive Reform Package to WA’s Fine Enforcement Regime
Wednesday, 17 June 2020 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the announcement by the Attorney General, the Hon John …
Read moreLaw Society Congratulates Mara Barone SC on Appointment as District Court Judge
Wednesday, 6 May 2020 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Mara Barone SC, who has been appointed as a …
Read moreVale Terry O’Connor QC
Wednesday, 29 April 2020 The Law Society is saddened to hear of the passing of Terry O’Connor QC, a …
Read moreThe Law Society acknowledges the Hon John McKechnie QC’s contribution as Commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission
Friday, 24 April 2020 The Law Society of Western Australia notes, following a media release from the Joint Standing Committee …
Read moreLawyers Continuing to Provide Important Services During COVID-19 Pandemic
Tuesday, 14 April 2020 Today the Attorney General the Hon John Quigley MLA acknowledged the important work of the profession …
Read moreVale the Honourable Stephen Thackray
Thursday, 2 April 2020 The Law Society is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of the Honourable Stephen Thackray, …
Read moreLaw Society Welcomes Introduction of WA Pro Bono Model to Enhance Access to Justice
Friday, 20 March 2020 The State Government has announced the introduction of a Pro Bono Model, which will further enhance access to justice …
Read moreMessage from the CEO – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Alert
As the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop, it is important that we put in place measures to ensure …
Read moreLaw Society Congratulates New Chief Judge of District Court and New President of Children’s Court on Appointments
Friday, 28 February 2020 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Her Honour Judge Julie Wager, who has been appointed as the new …
Read moreVacation Clerk & Graduate Recruitment Dates 2020
The Law Schools of Curtin, ECU, Murdoch, Notre Dame and UWA have put together recommended recruitment dates for 2020. In …
Read moreSurvey on Engagement and Retention of Legal Professionals
Monday, 3 February 2020 The Law Society of Western Australia has commissioned an engagement and retention survey to research and …
Read moreLaw Society Congratulates New Senior Counsel
Wednesday, 27 November 2019 The Law Society congratulates the six practitioners appointed as Senior Counsel, as announced today by the …
Read moreVoluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2019
Wednesday, 27 November 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia has released its submission in response to the Voluntary Assisted …
Read more2020 Law Society Council
Friday, 15 November 2019 Voting in the election of the Law Society Council for 2020 closed on 13 November. Click …
Read moreNew Federal Agreement Must Increase Legal Assistance Funding and Protect Indigenous Legal Assistance
Friday, 1 November 2019 The Commonwealth and State Governments must use upcoming negotiations to urgently address the crisis in legal …
Read moreLaw Society Welcomes Increase to Payroll Tax Threshold
Thursday, 31 October 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes today’s announcement by the State Government that it will …
Read more2020 Law Society Council – Meet the Nominees
Friday, 25 October 2019 Nominations for election to the 2020 Law Society Council closed on Wednesday, 16 October. Congratulations once …
Read more2020 Law Society President Elected
Thursday, 17 October 2019 Nicholas van Hattem has been declared elected as the Law Society of Western Australia’s President for …
Read moreLaw Council of Australia: Gains being made though gender gap in barrister briefings remains, report finds
11 October 2019 Female barristers are starting to receive more briefs and are more often recommended for work by their …
Read moreJoint Statement: Law Society and Law Council Welcome Reforms to Fines Enforcement Regime
Thursday, 26 September 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia and the Law Council of Australia have welcomed the announcement …
Read moreAboriginal Youth Voice Gets the Go Ahead!
Thursday, 19 September 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia is pleased to announce that through its Lore/Law project, …
Read moreR U OK? Day – President’s Message
Thursday, 12 September 2019 is R U OK? Day, a national day …
Read more2019 Sir Ronald Wilson Lecture: Climate Change – Political and Legal Accountability
Friday, 2 August 2019 The 2019 Sir Ronald Wilson Lecture will explore significant issues related to climate change, including the Commonwealth Government’s current …
Read moreLaw Society Welcomes New Network of Legal Aid Virtual Offices
Thursday, 4 July 2019 The Law Society welcomes an announcement by the Hon John Quigley MLA, Attorney General of Western …
Read moreLaw Society Supports CCIWA Campaign to Cut Payroll Tax
Wednesday, 26 June 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia has joined other peak WA industry groups in supporting the campaign of the …
Read moreReport Finds Women Make Up Majority of Australian Legal Profession
Wednesday, 19 June 2019 A new report has found that women outnumber men in the Australian legal profession. The 2018 …
Read moreThe Law Society of Western Australia Supports Justice Reinvestment
Wednesday, 5 June 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes recent statements by the Attorney General the Hon John …
Read moreNew Judicial Appointments
Thursday, 11 April 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Jennifer Hill and the Hon Justice John Vaughan, who …
Read moreThe Law Society Congratulates Ben Gauntlett on Appointment as Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Friday, 5 April 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Ben Gauntlett, following his appointment as Disability Discrimination Commissioner. The Law Society …
Read moreLaw Society Congratulates Justice Janine Pritchard on State Administrative Tribunal Appointment
Wednesday, 3 April 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Supreme Court Justice Janine Pritchard, who has been appointed President of the …
Read moreWestern Australia to Adopt Legal Profession Uniform Law
Thursday, 28 February 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia has welcomed the announcement today by the Attorney General, the Hon John …
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