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

Practice updates

The latest in case law, legal analysis, law reform and more.

High Court judgments: October 2026

October 9, 2026

Chaplin v Secretary, Department of Social Services [2026] HCA 22 and Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Web3 Ventures Pty Ltd [2026] HCA 21 and Cullen v New South Wales [2026] HCA 19

Practice updates·Risk management

Risk alert: AI and increasing risk factors for legal practitioners

October 8, 2026

Jehan-Philippe Wood and Johnathan Edgelow discuss how AI adoption is increasing among Australian legal practitioners, but inadequate supervision, verification and governance create significant professional, ethical and regulatory risks.

October 5, 2026

The Singleton decision: High Court quashes NT water licence in landmark Indigenous rights decision

Gwynette Govardhan examines the Singleton Station, NT groundwater license decision in the recent High Court ruling.

October 2, 2026

Simplified initial client due diligence (ICDD): An excellent opportunity to reduce client friction

Fiona Halsey explains how to reduce client friction, compliance costs and staff burdens using simplified ICDD under AML CTF rules.

Case notes·Legal updates

Deconflicting best interests: Lessons from Farrugia v The King

Gad Coffie, Dr Brett Davies and Dr Sue Kee explore the High Court’s decision and conflicts arising from joint representation, professional duties, privilege and practical implications for practitioners in Farrugia v The King [2026] HCA 28.

September 28, 2026

Case notes·Legal updates

Covert recordings: Evidence or legal risk?

Brooke Curley considers the High Court decision on covert recordings, raising important questions about legality and admissibility in family law and family violence proceedings in Potter v The King [2026] HCA 25.

September 21, 2026

Case notes·Practice updates

Federal Court judgments: September 2026

LPDT v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2026] FCA 332 and Staunton v MHK [2026] FCA 546 and Giggle for Girls Pty Ltd v Tickle [2026] FCAFC 64

September 18, 2026

Legal updates

Beyond compliance: How the PRIS Act is reshaping privacy governance in Western Australia

Liz Tylich, Ariel Bastian and Anna Kosterich discuss the PRIS Act and how WA privacy moves beyond compliance, strengthening governance and responsible information sharing.

September 16, 2026

Practice updates·Risk management

Made an error? Your next steps could make all the difference

Solicitors are often faced with difficult questions when they become aware that, due to their potential error, they could become liable to their client.

September 11, 2026

Legal updates

‘Breach bail, go to jail’: Qld’s new bail crackdown explained

Zarah Garde-Wilson considers Qld's changes to youth justice laws and how these proposed changes compare with WA's approach.

September 11, 2026

Legal updates

Face value: Guilty unless proven otherwise

Katarzyna Basta and Ross Irish Blase consider WA Police's live facial recognition trial, raising privacy and legal concerns.

September 9, 2026

Case notes·Practice updates

High Court judgments: September 2026

CCDM Holdings LLC v India [2026] HCA 9 and In Hopper v Victoria [2026] HCA 11

September 1, 2026

Case notes

“Somebody get these beggars out of here!” – FCA grants extended site blocking orders to protect The Odyssey from online piracy

William Bevan considers new copyright precedent set by the Federal Court granting extended site blocking orders and urgent interlocutory relief in Universal City Studios Productions LLLP v Telstra Limited (No 2) [2026].

August 28, 2026

Practice updates·Risk management

Risk alert: Escalation in cyber crime – call before you pay!

Law Mutual warns small practices of rising email fraud, urging robust cybersecurity, staff training and independent telephone verification before transferring funds.

August 28, 2026