Legal Alerts
This section features alerts about changes to criminal, civil and family law, with a focus on legislative changes.
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Commonwealth Family Violence and Cross-Examination of Parties Scheme - Government Review and update of Legal Aid WA operating guidelines
Tue, 27 Jun 2023
The Attorney-General's Department has published the Review of the Commonwealth Family Violence and Cross-Examination of Parties Scheme and the Government Response to the Review. Legal Aid WA administers the Scheme in Western Australia on behalf of the Australian Government. Following the review, Legal Aid WA has updated its operating guidelines for the Scheme.
Read moreMisuse of Drugs Amendment Bill 2023
Tue, 27 Jun 2023
Part 2 Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill 2023 is now in force to enable the creation of Border Search Areas for police.
Read moreYoung Offenders Amendment Bill 2023
Tue, 27 Jun 2023
This Bill, to reform the process of transferring detainees from a detention centre to a prison, is now in force.
Read moreAbortion Legislation Reform Bill 2023
Mon, 26 Jun 2023
This Bill was introduced on 21 June 2023 and if passed, comes into force on Proclamation.
Read moreIncrease in Family Court of WA fees
Wed, 21 Jun 2023
Family Court of WA fees will be increasing from 1 July 2023.
Read moreChildren's Court of WA - Practice Direction 2 of 2023
Mon, 12 Jun 2023
The Children’s Court of WA has released Practice Direction 2 of 2023 – Trial Bundles in Protection Proceedings. The Practice Direction applies to child protection applications initiated by the Department of Communities and will apply to all trials proceeding on or after 1 July 2023.
Read moreChildren's Court of WA - Practice Direction 3 of 2023
Mon, 12 Jun 2023
The Children’s Court of Western Australia has released Practice Direction 3 of 2023 – Transcript of Proceedings. The Practice Direction comes into effect 12 June 2023.
Read moreWitnessing documents by audiovisual communication
Wed, 07 Jun 2023
On 1 January 2023 the option to have specified document signing witnessed by audiovisual communication ceased to be available.
Read moreAttending by telephone - Message from Family Court of WA Principal Registrar
Thu, 01 Jun 2023
The Court requests that lawyers provide a direct telephone number for court hearings, in particular when the Court is on Circuit, and for urgent matters.
Read moreChanges to small amount credit contracts and consumer leases from 12 June 2023
Wed, 24 May 2023
Important changes to consumer protection framework for small amount credit contracts (SACCs) and consumer leases come into effect on 12 June 2023.
Read moreProtection and care - Supreme Court WA on joinder application and rights of appeal
Mon, 01 May 2023
A recent Supreme Court case, REF -v- CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES [2023] WASC 89 is of interest in relation to joinder applications and rights of appeal and what can amount to a substantial miscarriage of justice in child protection cases.
Read moreNew referral form for Dandjoo Bidi-Ak
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
The Children’s Court has published a referral form for Dandjoo Bidi-Ak.
Read moreFamily Law Amendment Bill 2023 introduced
Mon, 24 Apr 2023
The Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 was introduced to Parliament on 29 March 2023. Further updates will be provided as the Bill progresses.
Read moreDistrict Court - Civil Procedure - Notice to Practitioners- Registrars' Powers to Approve Compromised Actions
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
A Notice to Practitioners- Registrars' Powers to Approve Compromised Actions has been issued by the District Court.
Read moreRecent High Court immigration case
Mon, 17 Apr 2023
In a recent High Court immigration decision, a majority decided the government cannot circumvent migration law by making policies limiting which cases will be considered by the minister.
Read moreCriminal and Civil – Animal Welfare and Trespass Legislation Amendment Act 2023 – in force 7 April
Tue, 04 Apr 2023
A new trespass offence will be added to the Criminal Code from 7 April 2023. Changes will also be made the Restraining Orders Act relating to misconduct restraining orders.
Read moreEvaluation of Children's Contact Service Activity - survey closes 29 March 2023
Mon, 27 Feb 2023
The Australian Institute of Family Studies has been commissioned to undertake an evaluation of the Children’s Contact Service activity provided by not-for-profit providers funded by the Family Relationships Services Program.
Read moreReadiness hearings and expert witness affidavits
Thu, 16 Feb 2023
The Family Court of WA has provided advice to family law practitioners in relation to readiness hearings and expert witness affidavits.
Read moreFamily Law Council stakeholder survey on the rights of children and young people - deadline extended to 10 March 2023
Tue, 07 Feb 2023
The Family Law Council is hosting a stakeholder survey to identify areas of improvement in Australia’s family law system regarding the rights of children and young people. The deadline has been extended to 10 March 2023.
Read moreConsultation open for draft Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 - submissions due by 27 Feb 2023
Fri, 03 Feb 2023
The Attorney-General’s Office is taking submissions on the draft Family Law Amendment Bill 2023. Submissions are due by 27 February 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.