Kate 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 legal profession, we welcome the appointment of Kate Jenkins as the new Sex Discrimination Commissioner. Ms Jenkins’ experience as Victoria’s Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, and previously as a Partner in the equal opportunity…
Law 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 court appointments are made so as to avoid a lack of continuity in the courts. Delays in the replacement of judges creates severe knock-on effects through the legal system. The federal government should investigate whether…
Real 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 on Indigenous imprisonment is fundamental to achieving inroads on health, education, employment, and mortality. Law Council President Stuart Clark AM said rates of Indigenous imprisonment are among the worst in the developed world and should…
TPP 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 provisions for the Australian legal profession. The inclusion of a Professional Services Annex provides a framework to guide parties in further opening their legal services markets. The Annex incorporates the best practice principles, developed by…
Law 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 Western Australia. Mr Gething has had a lengthy and distinguished career as a legal practitioner and as Principal Registrar of both the District Court and the Supreme Court. Law Society President Elizabeth Needham said, “Michael…
Law 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 the Law Council of Australia to draw attention to the nationwide crisis in legal assistance funding. Law Society President Elizabeth Needham said, “The current funding crisis is a direct result of successive cuts to legal…
Law 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 to lead the development of a national approach to redress for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. The Law Council considers it vital that urgent consideration be given by the Commonwealth, States and Territories in…
Law 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 Kennedy Partners on their recent appointment as Accredited Family Law Specialists. The Accredited Family Law Specialist programme provides family law practitioners the opportunity to be formally recognised as having a high level of competency in…
Warning 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 approached to represent a Chinese based company in respect of the sale of a dredger valued at US$2,900,000. The request was made via the law practice’s website. An internet search of the seller indicates an apparently…
Law 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 of Western Australia. Mr Shackleton is an experienced legal practitioner who has practised in the area of criminal law since 1997. He has, since 2012, also been a member of the Liquor Commission of Western…
Law 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 Magistrates of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia. The appointments of Mr Mahon and Mr Millington follow the resignation and retirement of two magistrates from the Bunbury Magistrates Court. Law Society President Elizabeth Needham said,…
The 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 for more information on their appointments.
