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

Legal updates - Page 3

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

Ethics: Limits to following client instructions

Lawyers owe a duty to the administration of justice, which is paramount.

July 1, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

WA case notes: June 2025

The Court of Appeal has further developed principles relevant to the assessment of compensation for land taken under the Land Administration Act 1997 (WA).

July 1, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

Serious harm to reputation, causation, and mitigation of damages in defamation

Applegarth J of the Supreme Court of Queensland has had to grapple with the new serious harm element of the cause of action in defamation.

July 1, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

Reconciling the right to free expression with protection from hate-speech

Australia is a proudly multicultural society and it is uncontroversial to assert that it is internationally highly regarded as a functioning and tolerant democracy.

June 30, 2025

Legal updates·Practice updates

AML regulation looms over the profession

It is no exaggeration to say AML-CTF represents probably the biggest change to the legal services regulatory framework since adoption of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.

June 24, 2025