Legal Alerts
This section features alerts about changes to criminal, civil and family law, with a focus on legislative changes.
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Liquor Control Amendment (Protected Entertainment Precincts) Bill 2022 - proclamation pending & updated overview
Wed, 30 Nov 2022
The Liquor Control Amendment (Protected Entertainment Precincts) Bill 2022 has now passed both Houses of Parliament and will come into effect on Proclamation.
Read moreCivil - Changes to restraining orders forms
Mon, 28 Nov 2022
Changes to restraining order forms came into effect on 19 November 2022.
Read moreFirearms Amendment Act 2022 - remaining amendments in force 19 November 2022
Mon, 21 Nov 2022
The remaining provisions of the Firearms Amendment Act 2022 commenced on 19 November 2022 and include the scheme for Firearms Prohibition Orders amongst other changes.
Read moreLiquor Control Amendment (Protected Entertainment Precincts) Bill 2022 - Overview
Tue, 15 Nov 2022
The Bill amends the Liquor Control Act 1988 mainly through the introduction of a new Part 5AA that enables individuals to be prohibited from protected entertainment precincts (PEPs) for up to 5 years.
Read moreSentencing Legislation Amendment (Persons Linked to Terrorism) Act 2021 - commences 11 November 2022
Mon, 07 Nov 2022
From 11 November 2022 there will be a presumption against early release for persons linked to terrorism.
Read moreChildren's Court Practice Direction 6 of 2022
Wed, 26 Oct 2022
This new Practice Direction relates to applications under s189(3) Young Offenders Act 1994 and comes into effect on 31 October 2022.
Read moreProtection and care - Commencement date for some additional provisions of the Children and Community Services Amendment Act 2021
Mon, 24 Oct 2022
Provisions of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 relating to mandatory reporting of sexual abuse by ministers of religion come into operation from 1 November 2022
Read moreChildren's Court Practice Direction 5 of 2022 - Application for Review or Rehearing
Wed, 12 Oct 2022
This Practice Direction will take effect on 17 October 2022.
Read moreChildrens Court Practice Direction 4 of 2022 - Application for a Witness Summons
Fri, 07 Oct 2022
New Childrens Court Practice Direction relating to Witness Summonses.
Read moreBail Amendment Bill 2022 - remaining provisions in force 1 November 2022
Tue, 04 Oct 2022
The remaining amendments from the Bail Amendment Act 2022, due to commence on 1 November 2022, are detailed here.
Read moreYoung Offenders Act - Review
Tue, 04 Oct 2022
Over the next 12 months the Department of Justice will be conducting a review of the Young Offenders Act 1994.
Read moreDe facto superannuation splitting laws commenced on 28 September 2022
Fri, 30 Sep 2022
Legislative changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and Family Court Act 1997 (WA) which enable superannuation splitting for separating de facto couples in Western Australia commenced on 28 September 2022.
Read moreChildren'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 moreTemporary disruption to our web-based InfoChat operations.
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Disclaimer
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.