Law Society of Western Australia News
For the latest news please visit our Media Centre
RU 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 …
Read moreCustomary Law
Friday, 25 January 2019 In a recent article in The West Australian, Josie Farrer MLA addressed the issue of customary …
Read moreLaw Society’s Lore Law Project Awarded State Government Grant
Thursday, 24 January 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes today’s announcement that its Lore Law Project has been recognised by the State …
Read moreJoint statement: Law Council of Australia and Law Society of Western Australia regarding imprisonment for unpaid fines
8 January 2019 The Law Council of Australia and the Law Society of Western Australia urge the Western Australian government …
Read moreLaw Society Welcomes Amendment to WA Redress Legislation
Tuesday, 27 November 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the decision by the State Government to agree to …
Read moreLaw Society Supports Amendment to Redress Bill for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Thursday, 22 November 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia has expressed its support for a proposed amendment to the …
Read moreGreg McIntyre SC Elected Law Society President for 2019
Thursday, 22 November 2018 Current Law Society of Western Australia Senior Vice President Greg McIntyre SC has been elected President …
Read moreLaw Society Council Election Results
Thursday, 22 November 2018 Voting closed on 21 November 2018 in the election of the Law Society’s 2019 Council. The …
Read moreThe Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Senior Counsel appointees
Tuesday, 13 November 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates each of the candidates appointed Senior Counsel, as announced …
Read moreThe Law Society of Western Australia’s Old Court House Law Museum Awarded Community Heritage Grant
Friday, 9 November 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia is delighted to announce that its Old Court House Law …
Read moreVote for your 2019 Law Society Council
Nominations for election to the 2019 Law Society Council closed on Wednesday, 17 October. To view the nominees (with their …
Read moreElections to Law Society’s 2019 Council – Nominations Now Closed
Nominations for election to the Law Society’s 2019 Council are now closed.
Read moreThe Law Society welcomes appointment of Justice Joseph McGrath to Aged Care Royal Commission
Tuesday, 9 October 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the announcement today by the Federal Government that the …
Read moreThe Law Society Congratulates Joshua Thomson SC on Solicitor General Appointment
Thursday, 4 October 2018 The Law Society congratulates Joshua Thomson SC on his appointment as Solicitor General of Western Australia. …
Read moreThe Law Society welcomes legislation to implement scheme for the expungement of historical homosexual convictions
Wednesday, 12 September 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the passage of legislation through State Parliament that will …
Read moreThe Law Society congratulates Justice Janine Pritchard and Magistrate Paul Glass on judicial appointments
Wednesday, 12 September 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Hon Justice Janine Pritchard, who has been appointed …
Read moreThe Law Society of Western Australia calls on the McGowan Government to reverse unfair budget cuts to its school education programme
Thursday, 6 September 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia calls on the State Government to reverse its more than …
Read moreThe Law Society commends the Hon Justice Jeremy Curthoys following State Administrative Tribunal announcement
The Law Society of Western Australia commends the Hon Justice Jeremy Curthoys, following today’s announcement by the Hon Chief Justice …
Read moreJustice Project Final Report Released: ‘Justice Impact Tests’ Among Landmark Recommendations
Thursday, 23 August 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia, as a constituent member of the Law Council of Australia, …
Read moreThe Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Peter Quinlan SC on his appointment as the 14th Chief Justice of Western Australia
Wednesday, 1 August 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia commends the Attorney General’s announcement today that Mr Peter Quinlan SC will …
Read moreThe Law Society welcomes introduction of targets for briefing female barristers by Commonwealth agencies
Monday, 2 July 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that all Commonwealth agencies will be set specific …
Read moreThe Law Society welcomes State Government decision to keep Landgate in public hands
Wednesday, 27 June 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes today’s announcement by the State Government that it has …
Read moreFamily and Federal Circuit Court Reform Details Awaited
The Law Council was interested to learn of the Australian Government’s plans to amalgamate the Federal Circuit Court of Australia …
Read moreThe Law Society Partners with Edith Cowan University to Survey Lawyers’ Cyber Security Practices
The Law Society of Western Australia has partnered with Edith Cowan University on research into the cyber security practices of …
Read moreLaw Council Applauds Recommendation to Repeal ASIO’s Detention Power
The Law Council of Australia has thrown its full support behind recommendations by the powerful Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security …
Read moreThe Hon Wayne Martin AC, Chief Justice of Western Australia Announces Retirement
Monday, 26 March 2018 The Hon Wayne Martin AC, Chief Justice of Western Australia has today announced he will be …
Read moreLaw Society President Marks International Women’s Day with Keynote Address
Thursday, 8 March 2018 Hayley Cormann, President of the Law Society of Western Australia, addressed friends and alumni today at …
Read moreThe Law Society Congratulates New Children’s Court President
Wednesday, 28 February 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Her Honour Judge Julie Wager, whose appointment as the …
Read moreNew Appointments to District and Supreme Courts
Wednesday, 28 February 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the following judicial appointees: District Court Judge Anthony Derrick …
Read moreThe Law Society congratulates new judicial appointees
Thursday, 1 February 2018 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the following judicial appointees, as announced by the Attorney …
Read moreThe Law Society congratulates the Hon Christian Porter MP on appointment as Attorney General of Australia
Tuesday, 19 December 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Hon Christian Porter MP on his appointment as …
Read moreThe Law Society of Western Australia congratulates new Federal Court judges
Thursday, 14 December 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Honourable Justice Katrina Banks-Smith and Mr Craig Colvin …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates new District Court judges
Wednesday, 6 December 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Ms Fiona Vernon, Mr Hylton Quail and Ms Kate Glancy on their …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates new Senior Counsel
Wednesday, 29 November 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Mr Stephen Wright, Ms Amanda Burrows and Mr Simon …
Read moreThe Law Society elects President for 2018
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Hayley Cormann, who was elected unopposed as the Law Society’s President for 2018. …
Read more