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

Opinion - Page 4

Views and opinions from across the profession.

Beyond the ‘Good bloke defence’: Rethinking good character in sentencing

October 28, 2026

Isobel Millward, Juris Doctor student at UWA, argues proposed reforms to good character sentencing raise important questions about judicial discretion and the need for evidence-based consultation.

Opinion

The AI inflection point: How lawyers will shape Australia’s regulatory future

October 19, 2026

Gad Coffie and Marianne Rose argue that Australia needs urgent AI regulation as autonomous cyber threats emerge, with lawyers playing a critical role in shaping safeguards and protecting confidentiality.

October 16, 2026

Beyond reproductive leave: Building menopause‑friendly workplaces for World Menopause Day

Grace Molloy, founder and CEO of Menopause Friendly Australia discusses the new ISO standard for menopause and how leading organisations are facilitating a broader support program at work.

October 14, 2026

The Court waiting room: An underutilised resource in the litigation process

Cally Hannah reflects on how Court waiting rooms could become valuable spaces for legal education, helping litigants understand processes, options and consequences before entering court.

Opinion

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.

May 27, 2026

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