15 November 2019
Your membership number:
We look forward to seeing you at the Law Society's Annual General Meeting (AGM) next Thursday, 21 November 2019 at 5.15pm at Level 36, QV1 Building, 250 St Georges Terrace, Perth. Click here to access the 2019 AGM Agenda. All members are invited to attend to catch up with colleagues, enjoy refreshments and take in spectacular views of Perth from the 36th floor of QV1. The AGM is an opportunity to have your voice heard, meet members of the Council and get a better understanding of
how your Law Society is working for you and making a difference in the community. The Law Society thanks Herbert Smith Freehills for hosting the AGM at its premises.
Final Council Election Results
Voting in the election of the Law Society Council for 2020 closed on 13 November. Congratulations to Melita Medcalf who was elected as Country Member and Thomas Camp, Gemma Swan and Lea Hiltenkamp who were elected as Junior Members. Thank you to all members who took the time to nominate for a position on Council or voted in the election. »Full Declaration of Results from CorpVote here
Biennial Review of Committee MembershipA Council Working Group has considered the nominations received for appointment to Law Society Committees. Members recommended for appointments to a Committee will be referred to the November Council meeting for approval. Members will be notified once Council approval of the appointments has been completed. Appointments will take effect from 1 January 2020 and an induction for new committee members will be held early in 2020. Anyone not appointed to a committee will be placed on a “wait list”.
Federal Court of Australia – National Defamation Practice NoteThe National Defamation Practice Note for the conduct of defamation proceedings has now been finalised (read letter from the Hon Chief Justice James Allsop). This Practice Note sets out the arrangements for the management of defamation cases within the National Court Framework. »Read Practice Note
Animal Welfare Act 2002 ReviewThe WA Government has invited submissions on changes to the Animal Welfare Act 2002 to improve animal welfare outcomes. Submissions can be made directly here or you are invited to collaborate with David Markovich who may be contacted by email on david@lbh.net.au. The deadline for submissions is
5.00pm on Monday, 25 November 2019.
Office of State Revenue Customer Perception SurveyThe Department of Finance’s Office of State Revenue is conducting its annual Customer Perception Survey. The purpose of the survey is to present customers with the opportunity to provide feedback about its performance and suggestions
for improvements. The survey has become an integral tool in improving the Office of State Revenue's services. »Take the survey
District Court Security –
25 November 2019On the 25 November 2019 it is anticipated there may be a significant increase in the number of people attending the District Court Building, 500 Hay Street, Perth as a result of matters listed. Accordingly, practitioners who are attending the Court from the 25 November 2019 should ensure that they arrive with sufficient time to clear security so that there is no delay in the commencement of any matter.
Job Opportunity at the Law Society of Western Australia – Lawyer: Policy and AdvocacyWant to work with a high-profile, prestigious professional organisation and gain an understanding of the current issues working across a range of areas of legal practice? The Law Society is seeking to appoint a lawyer with a range of legal experience to join its Advocacy Team. »Find out more
Give Back to the Community – Volunteers Wanted for Lawyer Visits to Schools NetworkSouth Metro Primary Extension and Challenge (PEAC) – Manning
1 x group of 15 Year 5/6 students
Topic: Being a lawyer, the law and legal principles, the Western Australian court system
1.5hr session including Q&A
Wednesday, 13 November OR Wednesday, 20 November:
9.00am to 10.30am South Metro Primary Extension and Challenge (PEAC) – Atwell
1 x group of 15 Year 5/6 students
Topic: Being a lawyer, the law and legal principle, the Western Australian court system
1.5hr session including Q&A
Thursday, 14 November OR Thursday, 28 November OR Thursday, 5 December: 9.00am to 10.30am To volunteer please contact us on (08) 9324 8686 or email schools@lawsocietywa.asn.au.
Continuing Professional Development
Save the Date
Friday, 12 June 2020
Save the Date
Saturday, 8 – Sunday 9, August 2020
These established advocacy courses lead in rigorous training and outcomes. Course content, presentations and experiential design are reviewed annually. Created specifically for lawyers who are new to advocacy or those seeking a timely refresher. Learn from distinguished and pre-eminent members of the legal profession, the Bar and Judiciary. These courses have strictly limited places, so register your expression of interest early to cpd@lawsocietywa.asn.au.
Law Week Special CPD Day for Rural Regional and Remote Legal Practitioners - Six points across all four competency areas
- Includes Law Mutual (WA) Risk Management training
- Country Members of the Law Society attend at no cost
To register your expression of interest, please email cpd@lawsocietywa.asn.au.
Wednesday, 20 November 2019 I 5.00pm – 6.00pm | Also available as a webinar
Look beyond billable hours to consider other critical factors driving the prosperity of your firm or practice. Focusing on meaningful legal firm metrics and associated tracking systems can be the key to providing clients with value, efficiency and high quality work. The right metrics can help you avoid wasting resources and ineffective work practices. Make your mark in an increasingly competitive and challenging legal environment. Speakers
Julie Ots, Principal, Ots & Associates
David Vilensky, Managing Director, BBV Legal Pty Ltd
Julie Panotidis, Senior Consultant, Mandau Legal
With thanks to our CPD partner
Members $35 | Non-Members $55
Celebrate another busy and eventful year with colleagues as you enjoy our Christmas hospitality and entertainment at the Westin once again. Our 2018 event sold out with over 230 people in attendance, so don’t miss out this year, book today to secure your spot at the party of the season! We look forward to celebrating with you.
The Law Society's Old Court House Law Museum
Open House Perth – This Weekend Saturday, 16 November and Sunday, 17 November | 10.00am – 5.00pm
Re-discover the Law Society's Old Court House Law Museum during the Open House Perth weekend and celebrate the city's oldest building and its iconic architecture. Museum Curator Greg Sikich and a team of volunteers will be on site all weekend to share building stories and showcase significant art works from the Old Court House Law Museum Collection.
The Museum thanks Open House Perth sponsors Fitzgerald Photofinishing, Imagesource and Gallery 360 for generously providing framing, conservation, and reproduction services. Your support for the long term care of this important community material ensures our stories connected to Perth’s legal and social history will continue into the future.
Accountability, Responsibility and
Authority – it’s all about the limits! 5 February 2020 | 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Sean Popperwell, Popperwell & Co
Focusing on Information and
Communication – Getting it Right in the Delivery Stage
11 February 2020 | 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Deborah Templeman, Gilchrist Connell
Risk Management Webinar for Country Practitioners
Law Mutual (WA) will be facilitating a two hour webinar for Country Practitioners in February 2020. Attendance will count towards your risk management training requirements for an annual contribution discount in the 2019/2020 Insurance Year, subject to certain requirements of declaration and documentary evidence of attendance being produced upon request.
Matter Management Guidelines – Providing (Webinar)
Wednesday, 26 February 2020 | 12.00pm – 2.00pm
Vicki Coles, Manager Risk, Law Mutual (WA)
2 Points: Competency 1, Practice Management
Law Mutual Insureds: $0* | Law Society Members: $180 | Non-members: $250 To register to attend the webinar, please email cpd@lawsocietywa.asn.au.
For any inquiries, please contact Shumi Tsungu, Administration & Risk Officer on (08) 9324 8624.
*If you are a Law Mutual (WA) insured, you are entitled to attend free or subsidised risk management seminars to a total of two hours. If you attend any additional seminars in excess of the free or subsidised risk management two hours you will be required to pay the member or non-member fee, depending on the seminar you attend and your Law Society membership status.
To access the members only privileges page, use password: 2019LawSociety
Pro BonoAll applicants have been means tested and assessed by Law Access as being vulnerable people with great difficulty self-representing. If you are able to provide any assistance, please email lawaccess@lawaccess.net.au. - Guardianship and Administration: an applicant seeks one-off advice (and further assistance if appropriate) about amending Guardianship and Administration Orders.
- Consumer law / debt: an elderly woman who has declared bankruptcy seeks assistance to resolve a dispute with her car repair service. The car repair service has held her car since January 2019. They are claiming around $5,000 in repairs and $6,000 in storage fees, but have not provided an itemised invoice.
External EventsDistrict Court Open DayThe District Court of Western Australia will hold an Open Day on Sunday, 17 November 2019. Talk to judicial officers and staff, visit courtrooms and custody centre, learn about jury duty and participate in a mock jury empanelment. »View the flyer
|