Law 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 Australian woman, Nguyen Thi Huong, has been sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking. The Law Council has a long-standing policy opposing the imposition or execution of the death penalty in Australia and throughout…
Law 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 title reform. The State Government should introduce a draft Bill into Parliament to pass changes to the Strata Titles Act as soon as possible. Law Society President Elizabeth Needham said, “Strata title reform is essential…
Law 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 of Western Australia. Law Society President Elizabeth Needham said, “Katrina Banks-Smith SC is an excellent choice for Judge of the Supreme Court. She has enjoyed a long and distinguished career within the profession and will…
Law 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 barristers across the country. The policy includes, for the first time, interim and long term targets with the ultimate aim of briefing women in at least 30 per cent of all matters and paying 30…
Law 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 recent appointments. Ms De Maio and Ms Longden have been appointed to the Magistrates Court of Western Australia and Children’s Court of WA. Both are highly experienced legal practitioners who have a great deal to…
Law 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 MLC and the Shadow Minister for Education the Hon Sue Ellery MLC. Mr Collier and Ms Ellery are each quoted in The West Australian expressing their views that mandatory sentencing should not be extended to assaults…
Law 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 each named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. The Hon Justice McLure was awarded Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to the law and to the judiciary in Western Australia, to…
Law 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 Federal Government. The platform sets out the key areas for improvement of the law and legal policy, which will benefit the Australian community and promote the national interest, including the need to: End Australia’s legal…
Law Society joins Street Banner Project for National Reconciliation Week
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”16487″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]The Law Society of Western Australia is delighted to join the Street Banner Project for National Reconciliation Week 2016. The Law Society has a banner featuring its logo and artwork by Aboriginal artist Neil Maxwell Tjampitjinba currently displayed on St Georges Terrace, where it will remain throughout National Reconciliation Week….
Law 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 Associations to officially launch the Legal Aid Matters campaign. Australia’s legal aid system is in crisis, with justice being denied to thousands of Australians each year who cannot afford access to a lawyer. Hundreds of…
45,000 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, often up against powerful and well-funded legal teams, due to the crisis in legal aid that has seen hundreds of millions of dollars ripped from these vital services. The new analysis, by the Law Council…
$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 to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children, is a commendable first step in addressing the funding crisis in legal aid. The commitment, by the Attorney-General, Minister for Women and Minister for Social Services, will…
