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News - Page 2

Breaking news, announcements, and updates from the Law Society.

Letters to the editor

News

Irreverence, roasting and rivalry as big firms get spicy at Law Society event

October 27, 2026

It was an all-in roast fest at Friday night's infamous Golden Gavel competition as eight young lawyers took part in a stinging battle of wits.

News

WA Government introduces Bill to modernise equal opportunity laws

October 21, 2026

The Cook Labor Government has introduced legislation to modernise Western Australia’s Equal Opportunity Act 1984, proposing expanded protections against discrimination, harassment and vilification.

October 20, 2026

Centenary year Law Society President announced as voting opens for Council positions

The Law Society of Western Australia has confirmed its 2027 President, with members now preparing to cast their votes in a hotly contested Council election.

October 20, 2026

Justice Lundberg explores Indigenous sentencing and the legacy of Bugmy

The enduring impact of childhood disadvantage, the importance of individualised justice, and the role of cultural understanding in sentencing were at the centre of the 2026 Sir Ronald Wilson Oration.

News

Federal Court commissions study into self-reps spike

The Federal Court and UNSW researchers will investigate rising self-representation, examining its causes, impacts on justice, and strategies for improving court efficiency.

August 26, 2026

News

Good character references to be scrapped in WA sentencing

The Cook Government has announced amendments to the Sentencing Act 1995 (WA) that will remove good character references as a mitigating factor across all criminal sentencing matters.

August 25, 2026

News

‘I do not knowingly use AI’: Federal Court judge considers risks for judicial decision-makers

The Hon Justice Emilios Kyrou AO says Australian courts are approaching artificial intelligence in markedly different ways.

August 12, 2026

News

Finalists announced for 2026 Law Society Annual Awards

The Law Society of Western Australia has announced the finalists for the 2026 Annual Awards, recognising outstanding achievement, leadership and service across the legal profession.

July 31, 2026

News

ART reforms must not sacrifice fairness

The Law Council has welcomed proposed reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of the Administrative Review Tribunal, while warning changes must not undermine procedural fairness or access to justice.

July 27, 2026

News

Federal Government proposes specialist Fair Work Court

The Albanese Government has announced plans to establish a new federal Fair Work Court, proposing a specialist judicial forum to resolve workplace relations disputes.

July 23, 2026

News

Building services changes in Western Australia

Joshua Burton considers WA's proposed builder oversight reforms in the Building Services Legislation Amendment (Financial Oversight) Bill 2026.

July 16, 2026

News

AML CTF compliance costs can’t be automatically passed to clients, says Legal Services Council

Law Council of Australia has released new information to assist practitioners in determining when AML CTF compliance costs can be billed to a client.

July 13, 2026

Legal updates·News

The Law Library: An untapped asset for every WA lawyer

The Law Library's little-known email research service provides affordable access to cases, legislation and commentary for RRR (and all WA) practitioners writes Isobel Millward, Juris Doctor student at UWA.

July 13, 2026