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Legal updates - Page 2

In-depth analysis of case law, legislation, law reform and more.

Legal updates·Opinion

Understanding Standing Orders: the operating system of the Legislative Assembly

April 1, 2026

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

Legal updates·Practice updates

The AUSTRAC starter kit: A practical roadmap

February 26, 2026

The release of the AUSTRAC legal profession program starter kit marks a significant shift toward a more collaborative and practical regulatory environment, writes Fiona Halsey.

February 18, 2026

The day-to-day obligations of the ALMCO

In part two of this two-part article, Fiona Halsey delves into what is required of an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer within law firms.

February 12, 2026

The AMLCO role in Australian law firms: A regulatory overview post-30 June

Australian law firms providing designated services on or after 1 July 2026 must appoint an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, writes Fiona Halsey.

Legal updates·Practice updates

Australia’s new AML CTF policies: Starter kits, real risks, and lessons from Mounties

Every reporting entity must carry out a risk assessment and have documented AML CTF policies. Reporting entities must comply with their AML CTF policies.

September 3, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

Why the “post and boast” Bill is problematic

The Criminal Code Amendment (Post and Boast Offence) Bill 2025 (WA) is highly problematic. It should either be abandoned or, at the very least, substantially amended.

September 2, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

The AML CTF Officer: A new gatekeeper role from 1 July 2026

The AML CTF Compliance Officer will sit at the heart of an organisation’s compliance framework.

August 26, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

Countdown to AML CTF compliance: What AUSTRAC expects from lawyers

AUSTRAC has published regulatory expectations, a timetable, and is preparing supporting materials to assist the legal profession.

August 19, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

Could SA’s Criminal Priority Programme ease WA’s criminal trial delays?

The core objective of the Criminal Priority Programme has been to reduce delay in sexual offence prosecutions involving complainants who are children or who have a disability.

August 13, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

Big month for climate litigation as the legal battles hot up

All eyes were on the Federal Court this month for the key decision in Pabai Pabai v Commonwealth of Australia [2025] FCA 796.

July 30, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

Protecting cultural and intellectual property: Comparative ICIP frameworks

The Australian Government has committed to protecting Indigenous cultural and intellectual property.

July 9, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

Ethics: Discipline for intimate partner violence

Late in 2024, a Tasmanian Supreme Court judge was found guilty by the Hobart Magistrates Court of committing an assault and engaging in emotional abuse vis-à-vis his former domestic partner.

July 7, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

Corporate misconduct and the Systems Intentionality model

As artificial juristic persons, corporations can neither innately think nor act. Yet corporations are now rightly recognised as having the capacity to engage in serious civil and criminal misconduct.

July 7, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

The Australian Government’s response to the Modern Slavery Act review

On 2 December 2024, the Commonwealth Government published its long-awaited response to the review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (Act) conducted by Professor John McMillan AO (the Review).

July 3, 2025