Legal Alerts
This section features alerts about changes to criminal, civil and family law, with a focus on legislative changes.
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Changes to workers compensation law
Thu, 26 Oct 2023
Changes to workers compensation law in Western Australia are expected to commence on 1 July 2024.
Read moreChildren's Court Practice Direction 5 of 2023 - Requirements for documents lodged with the Court
Tue, 24 Oct 2023
The Children’s Court of WA has released Practice Direction 5 of 2023 covering how documents not lodged electronically must be prepared in the Children’s Court.
Read moreWestern Australian Marine Amendment Bill 2023
Wed, 18 Oct 2023
This Bill introduces new drug and alcohol laws for navigation of vessels similar to those for drink and drug driving.
Read moreCommencement of additional provisions of the Children and Community Services Amendment Act
Wed, 18 Oct 2023
Changes to the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse provisions of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 come into operation on 1 November 2023.
Read moreConsultation for draft Family Law Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023
Thu, 12 Oct 2023
The Attorney General’s Office is taking submissions on the draft Family Law Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023 (exposure draft). Submissions are due by 10 November 2023. This Alert provides a summary of the proposed amendments and where you can find more information.
Read moreDistrict Court Notice to practitioners Interlocutory Applications in Civil Actions Listed for Trial
Tue, 10 Oct 2023
The District Court has issued a new Notice to practitioners -Interlocutory Applications in Civil Actions Listed for Trial
Read moreAbortion Legislation Reform Act 2023
Mon, 09 Oct 2023
This amending legislation has been assented to and will commence on proclamation.
Read moreFamily Court of WA - PPP500 cases - Practice Direction and new forms
Fri, 06 Oct 2023
The Family Court of WA has introduced a new case management pathway for designated applications for property settlement filed after 1 October. The Family Court of WA has released Practice Direction (No. 1 of 2023), new simplified forms, a guide for lawyers and parties and a brochure for parties on preparing for the first court date.
Read moreLegal Profession Uniform Law scheme - how to access legislation
Tue, 26 Sep 2023
See this overview for a full list of the legal profession uniform law legislation that applies in WA and how best to access it.
Read moreDistrict Court - Practice Directions and Circulars to Practitioners - revised and reissued
Thu, 21 Sep 2023
The District Court has today, Today, 21 September 2023, published revised versions of all its Practice Directions and Circulars to Practitioners. The changes are explained in a Notice to Practitioners dated 21 September 2023.
Read moreFamily Law Amendment Bill 2023 - Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee Report
Wed, 30 Aug 2023
The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee Report regarding the Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 has been published.
Read moreLiquor Control Regulations amended
Tue, 15 Aug 2023
Carnarvon has been added as a prescribed area of the State to which s109A of the Act applies.
Read moreChildren's Court Practice Direction 4 of 2023
Mon, 07 Aug 2023
Children’s Court Practice Direction 4 of 2023 relates to criminal proceedings in that court. It came into effect on 1 August 2023.
Read moreSupreme Court Consolidated Practice Directions updated
Mon, 07 Aug 2023
There is a new fax number for filing in the Court of Appeal.
Read moreApplying to have old convictions spent
Fri, 04 Aug 2023
There is a new definition of 'minor punishment' for a latest conviction which impacts on the waiting period for an application to have an old conviction declared spent.
Read moreFamily Court of WA - Priority Property Pools under $500,000 (PPP500 case)
Wed, 02 Aug 2023
The Family Court of WA will be introducing a new case management pathway for designated applications for a property settlement filed after 1 October 2023. If the case involves total net property (excluding superannuation entitlements) of $500,000, or less, and there are no entities that might require expert investigation (such as companies or trusts) and parenting orders are not sought, the case is likely to be classified as a PPP500 case.
Read moreFamily Law Amendment Bill 2023 before the Senate
Thu, 13 Jul 2023
The Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 has passed the House of Representatives and is now before the Senate. The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee is scheduled to provide its report by 24 August 2023.
Read moreWorking with children checks - changes to titles of legislation from 1 July 2023
Tue, 04 Jul 2023
'Criminal Record Checking' has been replaced with 'Screening' in the short titles of the working with children legislation.
Read moreChanges to working with children checks now in force
Mon, 03 Jul 2023
On 1 July 2023 the changes to the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 came into force.
Read moreSocial Services Legislation Amendment (Child Support Measures) Act 2023 to commence on 1 July 2023
Fri, 30 Jun 2023
The Social Services Legislation Amendment (Child Support Measures) Act 2023 has received assent and will commence on 1 July 2023.
Read moreDisclaimer
The information displayed on this page is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a legal problem, you should see a lawyer. Legal Aid Western Australia aims to provide information that is accurate, however does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information provided on this page or incorporated into it by reference.