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

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

October 5, 2026

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

Legal updates

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

October 2, 2026

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

September 28, 2026

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 21, 2026

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.

Legal updates·Practice updates

LPP and regulatory investigations: The ethics of compliance

Gad Coffie, Dr Sue Kee and Dr Brett Davies examine the ethical and practical challenges of protecting legal professional privilege during regulatory investigations and compliance obligations.

June 4, 2026

Legal updates

When Country is treated as a commodity: The Yindjibarndi compensation debate

Gwynette Govardhan considers valuing Country beyond capital in Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v State of Western Australia (No 2) [2026].

May 26, 2026

Legal updates

Broken by design? The urgent case for reforming WA’s Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme

Joel Trigg argues WA’s Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme unfairly limits compensation, restricts legal access, and disproportionately disqualifies vulnerable victims.

May 21, 2026

Legal updates

Tobacco policy moves from mitigation to elimination in the United Kingdom

Chris Bostic discusses how global tobacco 'endgame' laws are expanding, reframing smoking elimination as a human rights obligation with Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 UK.

May 19, 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 updates·Practice updates

Dissent in the West: a review of the Public Order Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Oliver Price and the John Curtin Law Clinic review the Public Order Legislation Bill 2026 (WA).

April 16, 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

Legal updates·Practice updates

The AUSTRAC starter kit: A practical roadmap

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 26, 2026