Law Society of Western Australia News
For the latest news please visit our Media Centre
Law 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 moreThe Law Society congratulates His Honour Judge David Parry on re-appointment as a Deputy President of the State Administrative Tribunal
Friday, 15 September 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates His Honour Judge David Parry on his re-appointment as …
Read moreThe Law Society congratulates Ms Belinda Lonsdale on appointment as a Judge of the District Court
Friday, 15 September 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Ms Belinda Lonsdale on her appointment as a Judge …
Read moreThe Law Society congratulates the Hon Jane Crisford SC on appointment as chair of the Legal Aid Commission of WA
19 July 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Hon Jane Crisford SC on her appointment as chair …
Read moreLaw Council: Recommendations for a National Compensation Scheme for victims of slavery should be swiftly accepted
18 July 2017 The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement’s recommendation for a National Compensation Scheme for victims of trafficking …
Read moreLaw Council: Referendum Council report a historic milestone, momentum should not be lost on path to reform
18 July 2017 The Australian legal profession, represented by the Law Council, is calling on the Federal Parliament to ensure …
Read moreLaw Society welcomes restoration of funding for Employment Law Centre
Thursday, 29 June 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the announcement by the State Government today that funding …
Read moreThe Law Society congratulates the Hon Robert French AC on appointment as UWA Chancellor
Wednesday, 21 June 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Hon Robert French AC on his appointment as …
Read moreLegal profession warmly welcomes Professor Rosalind Croucher as AHRC President
The Law Council of Australia has welcomed the appointment of Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM as the next President of …
Read moreLegal profession sets out core principles and commitments on human rights, as international spotlight shines on nation
Friday, 16 June 2017 The Law Council today launched its Policy Statement on Human Rights and the Legal Profession, laying …
Read moreRecommendations in new elder abuse report should trigger decisive Government action
A new incident response scheme for aged care should be introduced, and many of the other key recommendations of the …
Read moreProposed new powers over AAT on citizenship decisions risks undermining vital checks and balances
Thursday, 15 June 2017 The expansion of the Immigration Minister’s power to overrule independent citizenship decisions made by the AAT …
Read morePolitical attacks on the courts a very worrying trend
Tuesday, 13 June 2017 The Law Council, speaking on behalf of the Australian legal profession, is calling for an end …
Read moreCOAG must prioritise risk assessment tools used for parole and bail
Friday, 9 June 2017 The Law Council of Australia today called on COAG to give high priority to developing superior …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates Gail Archer SC on Supreme Court appointment
Monday, 29 May 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Gail Archer SC on her appointment as a Judge …
Read moreReconciliation can be advanced by constitutional change
Friday, 26 May 2017 On the eve of National Reconciliation Week, the Law Council of Australia has released its submission to …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates the Hon Justice Beech on Court of Appeal appointment
Wednesday, 24 May 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Hon Justice Andrew Beech on his appointment as …
Read moreLaw Council recommends reform to continuing detention order, control order regimes
Friday, 19 May 2017 Representatives of the Law Council of Australia have appeared before the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor …
Read more2017 Lawyer of the Year Awards
Friday, 19 May 2017 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Simon Creek, Nicholas van Hattem and Krista McMeeken, winners of the 2017 …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates winners of the Attorney General’s Community Service Law Awards
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Sam Vandongen SC and HHG Legal Group, winners of the Attorney General’s Community …
Read moreBudget shows Government is listening to legal profession, but more work needed to end justice funding crisis
Vital new funding for the federal courts, along with the reversal of cuts to community legal centres (CLCs) and Aboriginal …
Read moreLaw Week 2017
The Law Society of Western Australia is pleased to present its annual Law Week which will, in 2017, run from …
Read moreLaw Council says stronger whistleblower protections are needed
The Law Council of Australia has today told a Senate hearing that whistleblowers protections are inconsistent and should be strengthened. …
Read moreLaw Society supports action of the State Attorney General to address legal assistance funding to community legal centres
The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes today’s announcement by the State Attorney General, John Quigley to provide community legal …
Read moreLaw Society welcomes cancellation of proposed cuts to legal assistance funding
The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes today’s announcement by the Federal Government that it will restore funding to community …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates Amanda Forrester SC on appointment as Director of Public Prosecutions
The Law Society of Western Australia warmly congratulates Amanda Forrester SC on her appointment as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) …
Read moreSenate’s powerful message on justice funding crisis should be heeded ahead of Budget
On the second last sitting day prior to the Federal Budget, the Senate has passed a historic motion calling for …
Read moreLaw Society Celebrates 180th Anniversary of the Old Court House
On Friday, 24 March 2017, the Law Society of Western Australia celebrates a significant milestone for the City of Perth’s …
Read moreAustralia’s legal assistance sector facing Federal Budget disaster, and pro bono cannot plug the gap
The average Australian lawyer is contributing a full week of work every year for free, but even this is insufficient …
Read moreBendigo’s Tayla Anderson awarded John Koowarta Indigenous Scholarship
Bendigo law student Tayla Anderson has been awarded the Law Council of Australia’s 2017 John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship. The …
Read moreThe Justice Project to uncover systemic flaws
The Law Council has announced that it is conducting a comprehensive national review into the impediments to justice in Australia, …
Read moreUnconscious bias training now available to all Australian lawyers
In a national first, a customised unconscious bias training program aimed specifically at the legal profession is now accessible from …
Read morePresident’s Welcome to Law Summer School 2017
Welcome by Alain Musikanth, President of the Law Society of Western Australia, at the Opening of Law Summer School 2017, …
Read moreLaw Society calls upon candidates to pledge their support for legal assistance
The Law Society of Western Australia is calling upon all candidates in the upcoming State election to make a public …
Read moreLaw Council welcomes appointment of Dr James Renwick SC to vital security watchdog role
The Law Council of Australia has applauded the appointment of prominent jurist Dr James Renwick SC as Australia’s acting Independent …
Read moreLegal profession launching unprecedented national initiative to counter unconscious bias
The Law Council of Australia is launching a major new program to help lawyers understand and address unconscious bias. The …
Read moreSame-Sex Marriage Bill report strikes balance between freedom of religion and freedom from discrimination
The Law Council today said the consensus Parliamentary report into the Government’s Same-Sex Marriage Bill strikes a good balance between …
Read moreMandatory sentencing undermining firearms trafficking bill
Including mandatory sentencing in the Federal Government’s firearms trafficking bill could lead to unjust punishments and unintended consequences. The Criminal …
Read moreAustralia takes historic step to help prevent torture
Australia has taken a positive and historic step today in the campaign to end torture, through the announcement by the …
Read moreResponse to Consultation Paper: Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Regime
In October 2016, the Law Society was informed by the Law Council of Australia that the Federal Government had embarked …
Read moreNational Security Watchdog Recommends Repeal of ASIO Questioning and Detention Powers
The Australian legal profession is calling on the Federal Government to adopt key recommendations of the Independent National Security Legislation …
Read moreAustralia’s contribution to the Abolition of the Death Penalty Symposium
On 3 February 2017, the Law Council convened a national Symposium in Melbourne to discuss how government, the legal profession …
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