The home of news, views and analysis for the WA legal profession

Opinion

Views and opinions from across the profession.

A snapshot of childhood in WA: Five key challenges shaping the future

June 11, 2026

Isobel Millward, Juris Doctor student at UWA, considers the trends and areas of concerns identified in the 2026 report from the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA.

Opinion

Editor’s opinion: The LPB’s response to the cyber-attack shows it still needs to lift its game

June 3, 2026

Barrister and Brief Editor-at-Large Dr Michael Douglas questions why – almost a year after the 2025 cyber incident – the Legal Practice Board is still not telling lawyers what information about them has been stolen.

May 28, 2026

UK legal regulator says “sorry” for failings: What Australia can learn from the fallout

The outgoing chair of the UK’s Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued a rare public apology for regulatory failures. So what lessons are there for Australia? Kate Wellington writes.

May 27, 2026

Two regulators are rewriting the AI governance rules. What WA legal practitioners need to do now

Andrew Cooke warns APRA and ASIC are tightening AI governance expectations, exposing legal practitioners to liability risks as advisers, directors and law firm principals.

In-depth·Opinion

Using AI in judicial decision-making

Sir Geoffrey Vos encourages urgent debate as to what human rights people should have in light of ever more capable AI.

May 25, 2026

In-depth·Opinion

The access to justice crisis

Juliana Warner, Law Council of Australia President notes critical services are at risk as practitioners are forced to withdraw from legal aid work.

May 21, 2026

In-depth·Opinion

The critical shortage of criminal lawyers

The Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA authors an opinion piece for Brief magazine on why we need more skilled and passionate advocates for justice.

May 18, 2026

Opinion

Independent, essential and here to stay

Jess Border, Managing Lawyer WA, and Ruby Hamilton, Special Counsel WA of the EDO discuss the critical work of CLCs in delivering access to justice.

May 18, 2026

In-depth·Opinion

Law school days: an essay

Nicholas Hasluck recounts early Western Australian law school history in relation to a recently donated literary journal.

May 7, 2026

Legal updates·Opinion

Robodebt and public responsibility: a corporate reimagining

Elise Bant, Professor of Private Law and Commercial Regulation, UWA argues for a new model of public responsibility.

April 30, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Opinion

It’s okay to be nervous: reflections on confidence, success and collegiality for new lawyers

The Honourable Justice Stephen Lemonis of the Supreme Court of Western Australia delivered the keynote address at the Law Society’s annual Welcome to the Profession breakfast on 17 April 2026.

April 29, 2026

Opinion

The serious cost of free or cheap wills and estate planning

Ross McDougall explains why cheap wills can create costly mistakes, hidden conflicts and invalid documents in estate planning.

April 20, 2026

Legal updates·Opinion

Less jail, better justice? Lessons from the UK’s new sentencing Act

Isobel Millward, Juris Doctor student at UWA, considers UK sentencing reforms from an Australian context.

April 14, 2026

Legal updates·Opinion

Understanding Standing Orders: the operating system of the Legislative Assembly

Sergeant-at-Arms/Clerk Assistant (Procedure) Thomas Moorhead delves into the details of Standing Orders.

April 1, 2026

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Opinion

A snapshot of childhood in WA: Five key challenges shaping the future

Editor’s opinion: The LPB’s response to the cyber-attack shows it still needs to lift its game

UK legal regulator says “sorry” for failings: What Australia can learn from the fallout

Two regulators are rewriting the AI governance rules. What WA legal practitioners need to do now

Using AI in judicial decision-making

The access to justice crisis

The critical shortage of criminal lawyers

Independent, essential and here to stay

Law school days: an essay

Robodebt and public responsibility: a corporate reimagining

It’s okay to be nervous: reflections on confidence, success and collegiality for new lawyers

The serious cost of free or cheap wills and estate planning

Less jail, better justice? Lessons from the UK’s new sentencing Act

Understanding Standing Orders: the operating system of the Legislative Assembly

Popular

Whistleblower claims clarified: Full Court confirms the subjective test for employer liability

A snapshot of childhood in WA: Five key challenges shaping the future

Certainty still missing in AML CTF roll‑out as compliance deadline looms

High Court endorses Nauru removal regime and narrows challenges to third-country deportations

Justice Stephen Hall appointed CCC Deputy Commissioner