R U OK? Day – President’s Message
Thursday, 12 September 2019 is R U OK? Day, a national day of action to empower people to connect with others and start conversations about mental health and wellbeing. The law can be a combative, adversarial and exacting profession. Lawyers often work in challenging environments. Time-based billing can be a contributory factor to…
2019 Sir Ronald Wilson Lecture: Climate Change – Political and Legal Accountability
Friday, 2 August 2019 The 2019 Sir Ronald Wilson Lecture will explore significant issues related to climate change, including the Commonwealth Government’s current initiatives and future options. Bronwyn Bell, Manager Policy – Natural Resources, The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, and Tim Macknay, Principal Solicitor, Environmental Defender’s Office Western Australia, will bring different perspectives to…
Law Society Welcomes New Network of Legal Aid Virtual Offices
Thursday, 4 July 2019 The Law Society welcomes an announcement by the Hon John Quigley MLA, Attorney General of Western Australia, that Legal Aid WA has launched a new network of virtual offices. The Law Society understands that the virtual offices will allow Legal Aid WA to deliver services to areas that lack a physical…
Law Society Supports CCIWA Campaign to Cut Payroll Tax
Wednesday, 26 June 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia has joined other peak WA industry groups in supporting the campaign of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA) to increase the payroll tax threshold for small businesses, which the CCIWA believes will lead to the creation of jobs in our State. The Law Society supports the…
Report Finds Women Make Up Majority of Australian Legal Profession
Wednesday, 19 June 2019 A new report has found that women outnumber men in the Australian legal profession. The 2018 National Profile of Solicitors Report was commissioned by the Conference of Law Societies (COLS), of which the Law Society of Western Australia is a member. The report was prepared by research and consultancy firm Urbis,…
The Law Society of Western Australia Supports Justice Reinvestment
Wednesday, 5 June 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes recent statements by the Attorney General the Hon John Quigley MLA and Commissioner of Police Chris Dawson on alternatives to incarceration. The Law Society understands that the Attorney General has called upon the Commissioner for Victims of Crime to develop new guidelines in conjunction…
New Judicial Appointments
Thursday, 11 April 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Jennifer Hill and the Hon Justice John Vaughan, who have been appointed to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal respectively. The appointments are effective from 4 June 2019, the Attorney General the Hon John Quigley MLA has announced. Law Society President Greg…
The Law Society Congratulates Ben Gauntlett on Appointment as Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Friday, 5 April 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Ben Gauntlett, following his appointment as Disability Discrimination Commissioner. The Law Society understands that Mr Gauntlett will commence in the role from 7 May 2019. Law Society President Greg McIntyre SC said, “On behalf of the WA legal profession and members of the Law Society, I congratulate…
Law Society Congratulates Justice Janine Pritchard on State Administrative Tribunal Appointment
Wednesday, 3 April 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Supreme Court Justice Janine Pritchard, who has been appointed President of the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for a five-year term, beginning on 4 June 2019. Law Society President Greg McIntyre SC said, “On behalf of the WA legal profession and members of the Law Society, I wholeheartedly…
Western Australia to Adopt Legal Profession Uniform Law
Thursday, 28 February 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia has welcomed the announcement today by the Attorney General, the Hon John Quigley MLA, that Western Australia will join the Legal Profession Uniform Law Scheme, providing another step towards a national legal market. Law Society President Greg McIntyre SC said, “The Law Society has been in favour…
Customary Law
Friday, 25 January 2019 In a recent article in The West Australian, Josie Farrer MLA addressed the issue of customary law. The Law Society of Western Australia supports the position of the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia, which in its report of September 2006, recommended recognition of customary laws and practises which are consistent…
Law Society’s Lore Law Project Awarded State Government Grant
Thursday, 24 January 2019 The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes today’s announcement that its Lore Law Project has been recognised by the State Government with a $200,000 grant, the maximum grant amount, from the Criminal Property Confiscation Grants Program. Lore Law aims to support a reduction in the high rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth contact…
