Legal Alerts
This section features alerts about changes to criminal, civil and family law, with a focus on legislative changes.
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Children's Court Information Note - young persons remanded in Unit 18 Casuarina Prison
Thu, 29 Sep 2022
On 23 September the President of the Children's Court released an Information Note regarding the management of young persons remanded in Unit 18 Casuarina Prison.
Read moreCommencement of substantive provisions Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Amendment (Change of Name) Act 2020
Wed, 21 Sep 2022
The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Amendment (Change of Name) Act 2020 comes into operation on 1 October 2022. It amends the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1998 (WA) to improve change of name processes and minimise exploitation of the current system for fraudulent or criminal activity or other wrongful purposes.
Read moreProtection and care - new Information Note (Supplement to Practice Direction 6 of 2021) Undefended Hearings List for Protection Proceedings
Fri, 16 Sep 2022
The President of the Children’s Court, Judge Quail has issued an Information Note (Supplement to Practice Direction 6 of 2021) Undefended Hearings List for Protection Proceedings.
Read moreBail Amendment Act 2022 - Sch 1 Pt C clause 4 and pending offences
Wed, 14 Sep 2022
It appears the definition of 'pending offence' may be given effect now although it has not yet commenced.
Read moreNew Children's Court Practice Direction
Wed, 14 Sep 2022
A new Children's Court Practice Direction revokes two Practice Directions including the Covid-19 Practice Direction.
Read moreBail Amendment Act 2022 - some sections in force
Mon, 05 Sep 2022
Sections of the Bail Amendment Act 2022 commenced on 4 September, the remainder will come into force on 1 November 2022.
Read moreParliamentary Commissioner Amendment (Reportable Conduct) Act 2022 (WA)
Thu, 25 Aug 2022
The Parliamentary Commissioner Amendment (Reportable Conduct) Act 2022 (WA) was assented to on 19 August 2022. The Act is aimed at preventing Western Australian organisations from covering up child abuse.
Read moreWorking with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Amendment Bill 2022
Wed, 17 Aug 2022
The State Government has introduced the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Amendment Bill 2022 to the Parliament of Western Australia that will strengthen Working with Children Checks.
Read moreSerial family violence offender declarations - Court of Appeal decision
Tue, 16 Aug 2022
The Court of Appeal has held that a family violence offence committed prior to, but convicted after, 1 January 2021 can trigger an application for a serial family violence offender declaration.
Read moreCriminal records - incorrect replication of offences
Mon, 04 Jul 2022
WA police have advised that any record that replicates the offence alongside every outcome is incorrect and needs to be amended.
Read moreIncrease in Family Court of WA fees
Thu, 30 Jun 2022
Family Court of WA fees will be increasing from 1 July 2022.
Read moreMagistrates Court (General) Rules 2005 amended
Tue, 21 Jun 2022
The Magistrates Court (General) Rules 2005 have been amended in relation to applications for cancellation of a surety.
Read moreSentencing Legislation Amendment (Persons Linked to Terrorism) Bill 2021
Tue, 21 Jun 2022
This Bill creates a presumption against early release for young offenders or prisoners with links to terrorism. It is due to commence on proclamation.
Read moreFirearms Amendment Act 2022 - revision to previous alert - s417A(4A) Code special case
Tue, 21 Jun 2022
The new special case of possessing a stolen or unlawfully obtained firearm is arguably an either way offence, not indictable only.
Read moreFirearms Amendment Act 2022
Mon, 20 Jun 2022
On 20 June 2020 some sections of the Firearms Amendment Act 2022 came into force. Remaining sections come into force on proclamation.
Read moreCriminal Appeals Amendment Bill 2021
Thu, 16 Jun 2022
The Criminal Appeals Amendment Bill 2021 has passed both Houses of State Parliament and will commence on proclamation.
Read moreDistrict Court Public Notice 5 of 2022 - COVID-19
Wed, 15 Jun 2022
The District Court has issued a new Public Notice regarding COVID-19 measures in that court, following changes to government directions.
Read moreSupreme Court COVID-19 Public Notice
Wed, 15 Jun 2022
The Supreme Court has published a further Public Notice regarding COVID-19 measures in that court, following changes to government directions.
Read moreBail Amendment Bill 2022
Wed, 15 Jun 2022
A Bill to amend the Bail Act 1982 (WA) has been introduced, designed to enhance protection for child complainants of sexual abuse.
Read moreFiling in confiscation matters - Supreme Court Rules and Practice Directions amended
Thu, 09 Jun 2022
On 20 May 2022 the Rules of the Supreme Court 1971 were amended and there was also a related amendment to the Supreme Court Consolidated Practice Directions, relevant to applications in confiscation matters.
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.