Legal Alerts
This section features alerts about changes to criminal, civil and family law, with a focus on legislative changes.
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Family 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 moreCommonwealth 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 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.