ALRC 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 Commission (ALRC) to inquire into the catastrophic levels of Indigenous incarceration in Australia. The Law Council has been a leading advocate for constructive action to address the Indigenous imprisonment crisis, which has been steadily worsening…
New 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 national compensation scheme for survivors of human trafficking, slavery, and slavery-like practices. Relevant offences include servitude, forced labour, deceptive recruiting for labour services, forced marriage, and debt bondage. The report, released today, argues that the…
Resignation of Solicitor-General
“Mr Justin Gleeson SC is an eminent barrister. He is a person of the highest integrity and skill,” the President of the Law Council of Australia, Stuart Clark AM, said today. “His decision to end an impasse he believed contrary to the national interest is both selfless and honourable. “The Office of the Solicitor-General plays…
Law 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 2017. Mr Musikanth will begin his term as President on 1 January 2017. Hayley Cormann and Greg McIntyre SC have both been elected unopposed as Vice Presidents for 2017. Mr Musikanth said, “I am honoured…
Crisis 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 opened with addresses by Family Court of Australia Chief Justice Diana Bryant AO; Federal Circuit Court of Australia Chief Judge John Pascoe AC CVO; Commonwealth Attorney-General the Hon George Brandis QC and Chair of the…
Australia’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 Australia and overseas. With more than 1000 family law professionals from across the country in attendance, the Conference is Australia’s largest regular legal event. Chair of the Law Council of Australia’s Family Law Section, Wendy…
2016 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 the legal profession and more broadly. Ms Wade works as a solicitor in the Child Protection System Royal Commission, with a focus on children with a disability and their vulnerabilities within the State Care System….
Law 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 of incarceration of Aboriginal people. The Law Society understands that the Sentencing Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 will allow offenders to undertake community work, rather than being subject to a fine under an enhanced Conditional Release…
Law 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 to the Senate today. The Law Council formally recommended the system of ‘special advocates’ to participate in control order proceedings before the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor last year. The system would allow each State…
Law 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 Federal Government’s new firearms trafficking bill. Law Council of Australia President, Stuart Clark AM, said mandatory sentencing was counterproductive and could lead to unintended consequences and unjust punishments. “It is an important and worthy objective…
Law 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 the threat of cybercrime and cyber espionage grows exponentially across the globe. The Law Council has been working in partnership with the legal profession, cyber security experts, and government to formulate the information initiative since…
2016 Murdoch Scholarship for the Most Outstanding Mock Trial Student
[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Daniel Morey from Shenton College who has been awarded the 2016 Murdoch Scholarship for the Most Outstanding Mock Trial Student. Daniel competed against a strong field at the selection day held at Murdoch University School of Law on Saturday 20 August 2016. Daniel will be joining the mooting…
