Law Society of Western Australia News
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Recommendations for reform of elder abuse laws need serious consideration
The Federal Government should give close attention to a number of recommendations made by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) …
Read moreSenior Counsel Appointments
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Mr Darren Jackson, Ms Carmel Barbagallo and Ms Amanda Forrester on their appointments …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates Matthew Walton on Magistrates Court appointment
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Matthew Walton on his appointment as a Magistrate at the Magistrates Court of …
Read moreAmended High Risk Terrorist Offenders Bill strikes better balance between community protection and rule of law
Amendments to the Federal Government’s new anti-terror laws, that passed the Senate today, strike a better balance in protecting the …
Read moreHigh Court appointments
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Honourable Justice Susan Kiefel AC and the Honourable Justice James Edelman on …
Read moreChief Justice appointment a landmark in Australian history
The appointment of the Honourable Justice Susan Mary Kiefel AC as the next Chief Justice of the High Court of …
Read more2017 Law Council of Australia Executive
At the November Directors’ Meeting of the Law Council of Australia, the following Directors were elected as Members of the …
Read moreAnti-death penalty and human rights advocate Julian McMahon wins Law Council’s President’s Medal
The Law Council of Australia’s 2016 President’s Medal has been awarded to eminent barrister, anti-death penalty and human rights advocate, …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates Dr Adam Tomison on Director General Appointment
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Dr Adam Tomison on his appointment as Director General of the Department of …
Read moreLaw Council: Whistleblower protections a major development that paves the way for further expansion
New measures within the registered organisations legislation, passed early this morning, will drastically improve whistleblower protections for those within the …
Read moreLaw Council: Urgent action needed on Indigenous imprisonment in light of new Productivity Commission report
The Productivity Commission’s latest ‘Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage’ report has underscored the pressing need for reform to combat catastrophic rates of …
Read morePassed Counter-Terrorism Bill addresses many Law Council concerns, now time to appoint new INSLM
A number of concerns expressed by the Law Council of Australia to the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2016 …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates Joseph McGrath SC on Supreme Court appointment
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Joseph McGrath SC on his appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court …
Read moreLaw Council urges Government to adopt key counterterrorism report recommendations
The Law Council of Australia is urging the Federal Government to adopt key recommendations of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on …
Read moreRedress Scheme helps to enable access to justice for survivors of child sexual abuse
The Council welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement to establish a redress scheme, which is crucial to ensuring that survivors can …
Read moreHuge boost for equality as large firms adopt Law Council’s Equitable Briefing Policy en masse
The Law Council of Australia’s National Equitable Briefing Policy today received a major boost, with a large number of the …
Read moreLaw Society joins all Australian Law Societies to call on PM to reverse cuts to legal assistance funding
The Presidents of Australia’s eight law societies, representing more than 60,000 legal practitioners, have called on the Prime Minster to …
Read moreLaw Society response to the Women Lawyers of Western Australia’s 20th Anniversary Review of the 1994 Chief Justice’s Gender Bias Taskforce Review
In September 2014, Women Lawyers of Western Australia Inc. released its 20th Anniversary Review of the 1994 Report of the …
Read moreLaw Society supports ALRC inquiry into incarceration rate of Indigenous Australians
The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes today’s announcement that the Commonwealth Government will ask the Australian Law Reform Commission …
Read moreALRC Indigenous incarceration inquiry a vital step in addressing this national catastrophe
The Law Council of Australia today threw its support behind the Federal Government’s decision to ask the Australian Law Reform …
Read moreNew report calls for national compensation scheme for survivors of slavery and human trafficking
A new report by the Law Council of Australia and Anti-Slavery Australia at UTS has outlined the case for a …
Read moreResignation of Solicitor-General
“Mr Justin Gleeson SC is an eminent barrister. He is a person of the highest integrity and skill,” the President …
Read moreLaw Society elects new President for 2017
The Law Society of Western Australia is pleased to announce that Alain Musikanth has been elected unopposed as President for …
Read moreCrisis in courts, legal aid a focus of Family Law Conference
More than 1000 family lawyers gathered today in Melbourne for the commencement of the National Family Law Conference. The conference …
Read moreAustralia’s largest legal conference honours 40 years of the Family Law Act
The National Family Law Conference has commenced in Melbourne today with a comprehensive 3-day program featuring distinguished legal experts from …
Read more2016 Australian Young Lawyer Award winners announced
27-year-old Adelaide solicitor Natalie Wade has won the Individual 2016 Australian Young Lawyer Award, for her advocacy for equality within …
Read moreLaw Society welcomes efforts to reduce Aboriginal incarceration
The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the State Government’s announcement of new legislation that aims to reduce the rate …
Read moreLaw Council: Special advocate regime a vital inclusion in new counter-terrorism bill, but further parliamentary scrutiny necessary
The Law Council of Australia has commended the Government for including a special advocate regime in new counter-terrorism laws introduced …
Read moreLaw Council: Flawed mandatory sentencing element undermining important firearm measures
The Law Council of Australia is warning that the unnecessary inclusion of mandatory sentencing will undermine the credibility of the …
Read moreLaw Council to launch national cyber security initiative as cyber threat grows
The Law Council of Australia will launch a national cyber security information campaign for the legal profession this year, as …
Read more2016 Murdoch Scholarship for the Most Outstanding Mock Trial Student
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Daniel Morey from Shenton College who has been awarded the 2016 Murdoch Scholarship for …
Read moreLaw Council: Disturbing images from Qld underscore the need to review youth detention Australia-wide
Reports and images of alleged mistreatment in Townsville’s Cleveland Youth Detention Centre and Brisbane Youth Detention Centre emphasise the pressing …
Read moreLaw Council: Caution and safeguards necessary in any move by Australia’s AGs toward nationally consistent post-sentence preventative detention scheme
The Law Council of Australia has welcomed the emphasis on maintaining safeguards in any nationally consistent post-sentence preventative detention scheme, …
Read moreLaw Council welcomes Mick Gooda and Margaret White as Royal Commissioners, credits decision by Brian Martin
The Law Council of Australia has congratulated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda and The Hon …
Read moreLaw Council offers support for Royal Commission into abuse of children in detention
Law Council offers support for Royal Commission into abuse of children in detention in the NT, calls for: The Royal …
Read moreRule of law principles must be protected in any move to hold jailed terrorists past their terms
The Law Council of Australia is urging the Australian Parliament to proceed cautiously with proposals to introduce new legislation that …
Read moreLaw Council: Grave concerns for Turkey following mass removal of judges and calls for retrospective death penalty
The Law Council of Australia has expressed its grave concern over the removal from duty — without proper process — …
Read moreLaw Society welcomes Attorney General’s comments on mandatory sentencing
The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes comments made by the Attorney General, the Hon Michael Mischin MLC, stating his …
Read moreLaw Council backs Malaysian Bar Council over attacks on independence
The Law Council of Australia has thrown its support behind the Malaysian Bar Council, whose independence is currently under threat …
Read moreLaw Council congratulates Attorney-General and Justice Minister on their reappointments
The Law Council of Australia has warmly congratulated Senator the Hon George Brandis QC and the Hon Michael Keenan MP …
Read moreLaw Council of Australia urges DFAT to redouble efforts with Chinese Government to release detained lawyers
The Law Council of Australia is urging the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to redouble its efforts with …
Read moreLaw Library at the David Malcolm Justice Centre
From 1 July 2016, the Law Library at the Supreme Court will close its doors and the Department of the …
Read moreLaw Society welcomes new judicial appointments
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Hon Justice Michael Buss, the Hon Justice Robert Mitchell, Raelene Johnston and …
Read moreLaw Council gravely concerned by sentencing of Australian woman to death in Vietnam
On behalf of the Australian legal profession, the Law Council of Australia has expressed its grave concern that a 73-year-old …
Read moreLaw Society calls for State Government Action on Strata Reform
The Law Society of Western Australia has called on the State Government to take immediate action to pass necessary strata …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates Katrina Banks-Smith SC on Supreme Court appointment
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Katrina Banks-Smith SC on her appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court …
Read moreLaw Council adopts Equitable Briefing Policy
The Law Council of Australia has launched a landmark new Equitable Briefing Policy aimed at improving the briefing of women …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates appointments to the Judiciary and new Solicitor General
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Sandra De Maio, Anne Longden, Peter Quinlan SC and Pamela Scott on their …
Read moreLaw Society applauds the State Government and Opposition on mandatory sentencing stance
The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes comments in the media by the Minister for Education the Hon Peter Collier …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates Queen’s Birthday Honours recipients
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Hon Justice Carmel McLure and the Hon Cheryl Edwardes after they were …
Read moreLaw Council launches ‘to-do’ list for incoming Government
The Law Council of Australia today launched its 2016 Federal Election Policy Platform, which outlines its priorities for a newly-elected …
Read moreLaw Society joins Street Banner Project for National Reconciliation Week
The Law Society of Western Australia is delighted to join the Street Banner Project for National Reconciliation Week 2016. The …
Read moreLaw Society joins Legal Aid Matters campaign
The Law Society of Western Australia has joined with the Law Council of Australia and other Australian Law Societies and Bar …
Read more45,000 people faced courts alone due to legal aid crisis
National campaign launched at start of Law Week At least 45,000 Australians have been forced to represent themselves in court, …
Read more$30m family violence commitment puts dent in legal aid crisis
The Coalition announcement today that it will provide $30 million for legal assistance services, as part of its National Plan …
Read moreLawyers to rally over legal aid crisis in election campaign
With the election in full swing and neither party responding to the legal aid funding crisis, lawyers from across Australia …
Read moreLaw Council welcomes appointments to the Federal Courts and the AAT
The announcement by the Attorney-General of appointees to the Federal Court, Family Court and Federal Circuit Court will ensure that …
Read moreIndependent counter-terrorism report addresses key concerns of the legal profession
A report released today by the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor has recognised key concerns from the legal profession about …
Read moreLegal profession among winners in Singapore-Australia FTA review
Australian lawyers and law schools have been rewarded with long-term market access certainty following a review of the Singapore-Australia Free …
Read moreCongratulations to new Commonwealth DPP and Human Rights Commissioners
The Law Council of Australia applauded the appointment of the new Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as well as …
Read moreRecommendation of strategy for the abolition of the death penalty applauded
The Law Council of Australia today commended Parliament on adopting its recommendation to develop, fund and implement a whole-of-government Strategy …
Read moreBudget does nothing to address crisis in legal aid
Legal aid continues to be underfunded to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars following the release of the …
Read moreCyber Security Strategy a strong step in safeguarding legal profession and their clients’ confidentiality
The Federal Government’s announcement of a multifaceted, $230 million Cyber Security Strategy is a significant initiative that will strengthen the …
Read moreLaw Council calls for mandatory sentencing to be dropped for alcohol-related offences on 25th anniversary of Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Royal Commission
The Law Council of Australia will tell a Senate inquiry into the need for a nationally-consistent approach to alcohol-fuelled violence …
Read more25th anniversary of Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
15 April 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The Royal Commission found …
Read moreLaw Week 2016
Law Week 2016 begins on Monday, 16 May and runs until Friday, 20 May. Law Week provides a chance for …
Read moreLaw Society committed to gender equality in the legal profession
The Law Society of Western Australia reaffirms its commitment to gender equality across the legal profession. The Law Society has …
Read moreLaw Council calls on COAG leaders to seize historic opportunity to reduce family violence
The Law Council of Australia is calling upon the Council of Australian Governments to seize the opportunity for intergovernmental action …
Read morePresentation of Lotterywest grant certificate to the Law Society of Western Australia
The Law Society of Western Australia will be formally presented with a grant certificate by Lotterywest next month. The ceremony …
Read moreSelf-defence in the criminal law of Western Australia
In light of recent media reports, it is important to provide clarification on the concept of self-defence, which is well-established …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates The Hon Justice Carmel McLure on induction into WA Women’s Hall of Fame
The Law Society of Western Australia extends its congratulations to The Hon Justice Carmel McLure on her induction into the …
Read moreInternational Women’s Day 2016 sees legal profession in unprecedented push to improve inclusiveness and diversity
The Law Council of Australia has taken International Women’s Day to shine a light on the unprecedented push by the …
Read moreLaw Council calls for amendments to the Migration Act before Federal election
The Law Council of Australia’s president-elect, Fiona McLeod SC, has used an address at the 2016 CPD Immigration Law Conference …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates Alan Troy on appointment as District Court Judge
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Alan Troy on his appointment as a Judge of the District Court of …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates Rick O’Brien on Family Court appointment
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Rick O’Brien on his appointment as a Judge of the Family Court of …
Read moreLaw Society supports gender equality across the legal profession
The Law Society sees the promotion of gender equality across the legal profession, including in our State’s Judiciary, as an …
Read moreLaw Society calls on Government to replace Supreme Court Judges
The Law Society of Western Australia is concerned by the Government’s announcement that Justice Ralph Simmonds will not be replaced …
Read moreLaw Society welcomes support programme for Aboriginal people in custody
The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the recent announcement by the State Government of a new programme to reduce …
Read moreCommittee report on Counter-Terrorism Bill welcome, however concerns remain
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security’s (PJCIS) report on the Counter-Terrorism Bill 2015 is a welcome step, but …
Read moreKate Jenkins an ideal candidate for Sex Discrimination Commissioner
The following statements can be attributed to Stuart Clark AM, President, Law Council of Australia: On behalf of the Australian …
Read moreLaw Council regarding reports that a lack of pension access is affecting the retention and recruitment of federal judges
The following statements can be attributed to Stuart Clark AM, President, Law Council of Australia: It is vital that federal …
Read moreReal efforts to close the gap must prioritise action on Indigenous imprisonment
The Law Council of Australia has welcomed the Prime Minister’s national ‘Close the Gap’ statement, while emphasising that urgent action …
Read moreTPP provisions a boon for the Australian legal profession
The Law Council of Australia has welcomed the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) noting it contains numerous advantageous …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates Michael Gething on appointment as District Court Judge
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Michael Gething on his appointment as a Judge of the District Court of …
Read moreLaw Society calls upon Parliamentarians to tackle legal aid crisis
The Law Society of Western Australia has announced its support for the National Legal Assistance Funding Campaign, launched today by …
Read moreLaw Council welcomes Commonwealth Government’s Commitment to a National Approach for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Attributable to Law Council of Australia President Stuart Clark AM: The Law Council of Australia welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s commitment …
Read moreLaw Society congratulates new Accredited Family Law Specialists
The Law Society congratulates Denby Kerr of DCH Legal, Jane Johnson of Kim Wilson & Co and Julia Mansfield of …
Read moreWarning on international scams targeting Law Practices
Please be aware of international scams targeting local legal practitioners. In the most recent instance a local firm has been …
Read moreLaw Society welcomes appointment of new Magistrate
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Mr Evan Shackleton on his appointment as a magistrate of the Magistrates Court …
Read moreLaw Society welcomes appointments of new Magistrates
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates barristers and solicitors Brian Mahon and Mark Millington, who have been appointed as …
Read moreThe Law Society congratulates the 2015 Senior Counsel appointees
The Law Society congratulates Mr Paul Yovich and Mr John Blackburn on taking silk. Read the Supreme Court’s media release …
Read moreUN to review Australia’s treatment of Indigenous Australians and asylum seekers
On Tuesday 10 November Australian Time, Australia’s human rights record will be under the microscope in Geneva as part of …
Read moreLaw Society concerned by Criminal Code Amendment (Prevention of Lawful Activity) Bill
The Law Society of Western Australia is concerned by the Criminal Code Amendment (Prevention of Lawful Activity) Bill, which is …
Read moreLatest example of legal aid funding crisis should serve as wake-up call
A Northern Territory man facing serious assault charges has been denied legal assistance by the local Legal Aid Commission due …
Read moreLaw Society concerned by the Criminal Law Amendment (Home Burglary and Other Offences) Bill 2014
The Law Society of Western Australia is concerned by the passing of the Criminal Law Amendment (Home Burglary and Other …
Read moreLegal profession welcomes Ms Brigitte Markovic as new Federal Court judge
On behalf of the Australian legal profession, the Law Council of Australia applauds the appointment of Ms Brigitte Markovic as …
Read moreThe Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Paul Tottle on Supreme Court appointment
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Paul Tottle on his appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court of …
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