PRESIDENT'S REPORT Jocelyne Boujos President, The Law Society of Western Australia
Welcome to the April edition of Brief. This month, we are commemorating the conclusion of the District Court’s 50th anniversary year with a special feature reflecting on the history of the Court and celebrating its achievements, including how it has dealt with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including quickly embracing new technology to adapt to our fast-changing world. The interview with Chief Judge Julie Wager gives us special insight into the biggest challenges at the Court – and recommending the best coffee spot near it! There is also a special wrap up of the District Court 50th Anniversary Black Tie Gala Dinner, which took place on Saturday, 27 February. Hosted by the Law Society of Western Australia, the night was a wonderful celebration with over 600 members of legal profession enjoying an evening of reflection, socialising and entertainment. I would like to thank the College of Law for sponsoring the event and the Department of Justice for its support. I also give a heartfelt “Shout Out” to all the Law Society and District Court staff who helped organise this wonderful event – TWICE! On behalf of the Law Society, I would like to thank Chief Judge Julie Wager, the judiciary and all the stakeholders at the District Court who contributed not only to this memorable event, but also to this special feature in Brief. International Women’s Day International Women’s Day was celebrated on Monday, 8 March. Building on the theme “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”, the day marked a call to action for accelerating gender parity. To celebrate, the Law Society hosted a few special events for members to celebrate IWD2021 including our special “Stand Tall in Flats” sunset drinks. You can read more about it on page 43.
Exhibition Centre. I am pleased to announce that the President of the Law Council of Australia, Dr Jacoba Brasch QC will deliver this year’s Keynote address. The theme of this year’s address is The Call for Change – Law, Culture, Diversity, Voice. Dr Brasch QC will speak on sexual harassment, bullying and inequality, which are both topical and high on the list of issues for the legal profession and more broadly the community at the moment. In 2020, the Law Council of Australia (LCA) held a national roundtable on addressing sexual harassment and has also recently adopted a National Action Plan to reduce sexual harassment in the legal profession. The Law Society seeks to showcase positive stories of lawyers throughout Western Australia using their skills to help others in a wide range of ways and so highlight the importance and benefits of seeking legal representation to the community. Please visit lawsocietywa.asn.au/lawweek/#law-week-events for more details of some of the major events taking place during Law Week. Time for Change: Addressing Sexual Harassment Webpage Coinciding with International Women’s Day, the Law Council of Australia launched its “Time for Change: Addressing Sexual Harassment” webpage – a webpage with valuable resources and measures to address sexual harassment within the legal profession. New Term of Parliament The recent re-election of the Labor Government in WA puts the state in a unique position to progress well overdue law reform.
Up until now various Western Australian Governments have not had the opportunity due The Society is proud to reflect inclusion and to their numbers in the Parliament to introduce diversity throughout its management and committees and to be part of the drive to a more Bills amending out of date legislation, or new legislation. With a Government majority in gender equal future for the legal profession. both the Assembly and the Council, WA is Law Week 2021 now in a unique position to have issues such Every year, the Law Society promotes Law as the outdated Equal Opportunity Act and Week, an opportunity to bring together the legal Administration Act updated and progressed profession and the broader community to build through the Parliament in a timely manner, and a shared understanding of the law. This year’s we have commenced advocating for these programme promises to be a jampacked and amendments to be a priority. exciting one, with a range of events for both the Indeed, the Law Society considers that the profession and the community from Monday, 17 introduction and passage of overdue law May to Friday, 21 May – Mark your Diaries! reform initiatives will be the ultimate test of this This year’s Law Week Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, 19 May at Perth Convention and
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Government’s success during its second term of office.
2021 CPD Fundraiser As I mentioned in the February edition of Brief, The University of Western Australia, in partnership with the Law Society and supported by the WA legal profession, hosted a special 2021 CPD Fundraiser, “Access to Justice in a COVID-19 World” on 25 February, which raised over $5,000 to support the important work of the Women’s Legal Service WA. The presentation of one of the keynote speakers, Dr Jacoba Brasch QC, the President of the Law Council of Australia, is published on page 45. Advocacy The Law Society will continue to advocate for law reforms and resources that will enhance the legal profession and benefit the community in 2021. The Law Society’s Executive and representatives from the relevant Committees recently met with the Chief Justice of Western Australia, the Hon Peter Quinlan and the Solicitor General Joshua Thompson. The Law Society has also requested to meet with the Attorney General as soon as possible. Submissions Since the last Advocacy Column in Brief, the Law Society has made submissions on: • Statutory Farm Debt mediation • Recommendations of the Lawyer X Royal Commission • Tendency and Coincidence provisions in the Evidence Act • Percentage based fees for costs assessments in the Supreme Court • Legal Costs Committee review of NonContentious Determinations • Resourcing the SAT for Strata matters • Postage delays and statutory notice periods in the Transfer of Land Act • Family Court delay in Western Australia – letters to State and Federal AttorneyGenerals LawCare WA Finally, I would like to remind you that your membership of the Law Society provides complimentary access to LawCare WA, a valuable, free, and confidential, support programme to assist you to manage the many and varied challenges of your career, life, health and wellbeing. Visit lawsocietywa.asn.au/ lawcarewa for more information and to access these resources.
