Law Council mourns passing of former Secretary-General Bill Grant
The Law Council of Australia is mourning the passing of its former Secretary-General, William (Bill) Grant OAM. Mr Grant served as the Law Council’s Secretary-General from 2007 to 2011. Law Council President, Fiona McLeod SC, said the legal peak body had been deeply saddened by the news. “Bill’s natural warmth and impeccable work ethic meant…
Law Council backs amendments to help bring slavery out of the shadows
Amendments aimed at strengthening the nation’s criminal justice legislative response to human trafficking, slavery, and slavery-like offences are strongly supported by the Australian legal profession. In a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee’s Inquiry into the Crimes Legislation Amendment (International Crime Cooperation and Other Measures) Bill 2016, the Law Council of Australia…
Law Society welcomes State Government commitment to Armadale justice complex
The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes today’s announcement by the State Government that it will commit $86 million to building new court facilities in Armadale. Law Society President Elizabeth Needham said, “The present courthouse at Armadale has been in need of an upgrade for many years. The Law Society has been concerned about overcrowding,…
Appointment of new Solicitor-General
“Dr Stephen P Donaghue QC is an eminently qualified barrister who will fulfil the role of the Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth with distinction,” said Stuart Clark AM, President of the Law Council of Australia. “The Office of the Solicitor-General plays a vital role in assisting ministers and agencies to comply with the rule of law…
Campaign to strengthen legal profession’s defence against cyber threats launched
Cyber Precedent, a new information campaign by the Law Council of Australia to assist the legal profession further defend itself against growing cyber threats, has been launched in Sydney today. As cybercrime and cyberespionage climbs exponentially across the globe, the campaign will help equip legal professionals with the resources needed to remain on the front…
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) in its Elder Abuse Discussion Paper, including further exploring a proposal to create a national register for powers of attorney, and tighter witnessing and reporting requirements. The ALRC’s Discussion Paper, released today, contains 43 proposals…
Senior Counsel Appointments
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Mr Darren Jackson, Ms Carmel Barbagallo and Ms Amanda Forrester on their appointments as Senior Counsel. The appointments were announced by the Chief Justice of Western Australia, the Hon Wayne Martin AC. Law Society President Elizabeth Needham said, “Each of the appointees has demonstrated undisputed integrity and talent….
Law 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 Western Australia. Mr Walton is a former Senior State Prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Law from The University of Western Australia…
Amended 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 community while ensuring fundamental legal rights and freedoms are not jettisoned in the process. The Criminal Code Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2016 includes a number of amendments aligning with key Law Council of…
High Court appointments
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Honourable Justice Susan Kiefel AC and the Honourable Justice James Edelman on their appointments in the High Court of Australia. Justice Kiefel will be the next Chief Justice of the High Court and the first female to serve in the role. Justice Edelman will fill the vacancy…
Chief 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 Australia is a landmark moment for Australia’s legal system and the nation, according to the Law Council of Australia. Law Council President, Stuart Clark AM, said Justice Kiefel had served with distinction as a Justice…
2017 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 Law Council Executive for 2017: Fiona McLeod SC, President Morry Bailes, President-elect Arthur Moses SC, Treasurer Pauline Wright, Executive Member Konrad de Kerloy, Executive Member Geoff Bowyer, Executive Member Biographies available here. Outgoing President, Stuart…
