14 June 2019
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The digital edition of June Brief is now available to read online. Included in this edition: - #LawyersMakeaDifference campaign, including articles by Tony Chong, Rebecca Bunney, Sophie Manera and Sally Bruce
- Law Week 2019 Wrap Up
- Law, Lawyers and Human Rights by Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM
- Jethro's Advice to Judges by the Hon Chief Justice Peter Quinlan
- Behind the Scenes at the Corruption and Crime Commission
- Interview with Lawyer of the Year Award winner Kelsi Forrest
- This month's Quirky Case, Drover's Dog and more!
Important Information Regarding Exemption from
Participation in the Professional Standards Scheme
The Law Society’s new Professional Standards Scheme commences on 1 July 2019.
Ordinary and Life members of the Law Society who hold an Australian Practising Certificate are automatically members of the Professional Standards Scheme unless exempted by the Law Society from participation on application by the member.
If you do not wish to retain the benefits of participation in the Scheme, you MUST complete an Application for Exemption by 30 June 2019.
Failure to provide a completed Application for Exemption will require you to: - implement the compliance requirements of the Professional Standards Act 1997 (WA); and
- pay the $50 fee which the Law Society remits to the Professional Standards Council on your behalf.
Alternatively, if you wish to retain the benefits of the Scheme, please complete a Participant Information
Form. Further information is available online at lawsocietywa.asn.au or by contacting the Scheme Coordinator at pss@lawsocietywa.asn.au.
Renew Your Essential Membership
As a valued and important member, the Law Society is here to support your career journey and would like to thank you for your loyalty and membership in 2018/19. We invite you to continue your essential membership and renew for 2019/2020. To renew online, login to members.lawsocietywa.asn.au and click ‘payment details’, alternatively an invoice will be emailed to you, with options to pay by EFT, credit card or cheque. Renew before 30 June 2019 to claim in your 2018/2019 tax*. Early Bird Prize Draw when you renew by 30
June 2019 With thanks to our member privilege partners, the fantastic offers for the early bird prize draw include: - $200 Voucher for food and drinks courtesy of Odyssea City Beach
- $79 Voucher for a Float Therapy Session at Beyond Rest provided by Incito Wealth
- $75 Voucher for a Relax Express Massage courtesy of Endota Spa Perth CPD
- $250 State Building Voucher, kindly provided by Kleenheat, which can be redeemed at multiple restaurants, bars and retail outlets
*Membership may be tax deductible and claimable against Professional Development allowances. Members should seek their own financial advice.
Last Chance to Submit Your Firm's Details for InclusionEvery year the Law Society produces a Diary and Directory for sale to the legal profession of Western Australia. To feature your organisation in the 2020 Diary and Directory, you must complete the online form by 12 noon today. Late entries will not be accepted.
Law Society Mentoring Programme
- Are you a practitioner, junior practitioner or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander law student seeking guidance and support in your career?
- Are you a senior practitioner who would welcome the opportunity to pass on your knowledge and experience to other lawyers?
The Law Society has extended the deadline to provide an Expression of Interest for its 2019 Mentoring Programme to 5.00pm on Friday, 19 July 2019. If you would like to get involved, click on one of the links below and send your completed Expression of Interest to advocacy@lawsocietywa.asn.au. Mentees Mentors
PEXA KeyPEXA Key is a new app through which bank details required for settlement can be exchanged and clients can track their settlement’s progress. PEXA intends to launch the app towards the end of June. »Read more
Law Council of Australia Fortnightly Update»Click here to read the latest fortnightly Update from the Law Council of Australia.
Supreme Court of Western Australia
Free Mediation Information SessionThe Supreme Court will be holding its first Mediation Information Session for 2019 on Friday, 26 July 2019. This free session will be facilitated by one of the Court’s Mediation Registrars and will commence at 1.00pm on Level 8 of the David Malcolm Justice Centre. The 60 minute session is open to everyone, including parties, lawyers and students.
The aim of these sessions is to give those who are involved in proceedings before this Court and members of the public an opportunity to become familiar with the process.
Numbers are strictly limited. To register your attendance, please email the Associate to the Principal Registrar (associate.principal.registrar@justice.wa.gov.au) providing your name, contact number and email. Parties to actions currently proceeding in the Court are also asked to provide their Court reference number.
Increase in Court FeesPlease note that court fees (Family Law) will increase from 1 July 2019. Details of the changes are available on the websites (please click on the links below): NOTE: General Federal Law fees in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia will also increase on 1 July 2019. Please see website here.
The Queen's Birthday 2019 Honours ListThe Law Society of Western Australia would like to acknowledge the following members of the West Australian legal profession who were recognised in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List: The Honourable Neville John OWEN, the Honourable Michael William SUTHERLAND and the late Ms Susan Catherine LLOYD.
Continuing Professional Development
Practical Advocacy Weekend 2019 – Save the Date! Saturday, 17 August and Sunday, 18 August 2019
Children’s Court of Western Australia | Perth's flagship advocacy course
Limited places available | Registrations opening soon
Essentials of Advocacy and Negotiation – Last Week to Book Friday, 21 June 2019 | 9.00am – 6.30pm
Registrations Close COB Wednesday, 19 June 2019 - What makes a good advocate?
- What are the essential ingredients for creating an outstanding opening statement?
- What are the best cross examination techniques?
Discover answers to these and many other questions at Essentials of Advocacy
and Negotiation 2019. Whether you are seeking a refresher, or are a practitioner new to advocacy, this course provides essential information to advance legal knowledge and improve advocacy and negotiation. Hear distinguished members of the legal profession discuss case presentation and theory, opening and closing statements, examination and cross examination of witnesses and what makes a good advocate. Negotiation skills are valuable for all lawyers and critical to all areas of practice; this year also provides expert guidance on negotiation skills.
What is Unique About the Government Contract?Speaker – Simon Thackrah, Senior Lawyer, Legal & Legislative Services, Department of Communities
The Public Health System and Treatment Liability Claims: Practical Issues for Lawyers on Both SidesSpeakers – Dr Andrew Lu OAM, Partner, HBA Legal; Adjunct Senior Lecturer, UWA Law School
Denise Bowen, Solicitor, HBA Legal
With thanks to our CPD partner
Friday, 26 July 2019 | 6.00pm – 10.00pm | Parmelia Hilton HotelHave you booked your place?
Ten courageous young lawyers will test their public speaking skills and display their comedic talents for a panel of esteemed judges and an audience of more than 250 of their peers at our annual competition dinner.
Who will be crowned Golden Gavel champion for 2019? Represent Your Firm and Win Applications for speakers to enter our Golden Gavel Competition are now open! Enter as a competitor for the chance to win cash prizes and the opportunity to represent Western Australia at the National Golden Gavel Competition. Expressions of interest can be sent to younglawyers@lawsocietywa.asn.au before
Friday, 28 June 2019.
Bookings sell fast for this event, so secure your place now!
Law Mutual (WA) Risk Management Seminars
Supervision & DelegationWednesday, 24 July 2019 | 3.00pm – 5.00pm
Cathryn Urquhart, Professional Skills Trainer
2 points – Competency 1, Practice Management
Out of Practice – The Risks of Straying Outside
Your Usual Area of WorkTuesday, 6 August 2019 | 9.00am – 10.00am
Ashley Macknay, MDS Legal
1 point – Competency 1, Practice Management
Matter Management Guidelines – ScreeningWednesday, 7 August 2019 | 12.00pm – 2.00pm
Cameron Hay, MYR Consulting
2 points – Competency 1, Practice Management
Membership PrivilegesBlack Swan State Theatre Company
Law Society Members receive concession price tickets to all main stage Black Swan Theatre Company productions. Visit bsstc.com.au to learn more about the Black Swan 2019 season. Visit the members’ only privileges page (password protected) to access the discount code.
We Want Your FeedbackDo you know of a business that would be interested in joining our Membership Privileges Programme? Is there a product or service you would like to be added to our Membership Privileges? If you have any feedback or suggestions, please email membership@lawsocietywa.asn.au.
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. - Wills/contested estate matter – one-off advice is sought in relation to whether an applicant has any grounds to challenge her grandmother’s will
- Self-represented plaintiff in Supreme Court civil proceedings/property – one-off advice is sought for an applicant about prospects and consequences of pursuing litigation
- Potential claim against a state government department/criminal injuries compensation – one-off advice is sought
- Guardianship and related misconduct restraining order – one-off advice is
sought for an applicant
- A large number of family law matters
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