Our flagship Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event – Summer Series – is over for another year, educating, empowering, challenging, and connecting Western Australia’s legal sector and allied professionals with 780 attendees over the three days.
We were honoured to have Whadjuk Ballardong Yorga Elder Aunty Robyn Collard back again this year to warmly welcome attendees each morning with a culturally rich Welcome to Country delivered with her grandson Tryse Rioli, a Whadjuk Tiwi Maarman.
Summer Series started with a Family Law focus, where the Honourable Justice O’Brien spoke about the anticipated changes to the Cross Examination scheme and emphasised the need for practitioners to undertake grant of aid work. Another very engaging seminar was delivered by Rachel Milton of John Toohey Chambers, providing helpful and practical tips on trial preparation in the Family and Children’s Courts of WA.
Two panel discussions on the Criminal Law day provided food for thought and reflection for attendees – Balancing Ethics, Autonomy, and Best Interests in Representing Mentally Impaired Accused chaired by Legal Aid WA’s Kerry Gorski, with panellists Alison Finn from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Luke Cassidy from Ruah Legal Services and Mental Health Law Centre, Karen Farley SC, and Dennis Fernandez from Legal Aid WA. The discussions explored how lawyers can ethically represent mentally impaired accused persons under the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023, while balancing their client’s autonomy, legal capacity, and best interests. Later in the day a seminar on what it means to be a fearless advocate, chaired by Legal Aid WA’s Chelsea Fruhwirth with panellists Helen Prince from Equus Chambers and Edward Greaves from Francis Burt Chambers, delivered practical insights and tips for sharpening advocacy skills, preparing compelling written submissions, and how to respond to questioning.
On Friday, the Civil Law day, the packed room heard from Chief Magistrate Heath, Detective Sergeant Roger Haynes and Dr Mark Hall who shared their experiences and knowledge on the topic of sovereign citizens. The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG, who delivered the following seminar, used the first part of his time to talk about the sovereign citizen presentation, offering his own views on the topic. Overall, his seminar provided an overview of the need for a bill of rights enshrining human rights and included a heartfelt and moving reflection of his life and love. The day ended with a wonderful wellness session on compassion fatigue, burnout and vicarious trauma that was equal parts educational and insightful as it was fun, allowing participants to release their inner child, let their imagination flow, and play with Lego!
Our annual Summer Series event continues to provide an unparalleled opportunity for participants to gain required Continuing Professional Development points, network with peers and hear directly from leading figures from WA and across Australia. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next Summer Series, 10-12 February 2027!
