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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. The Society is proud to reflect inclusion and diversity throughout its management and committees and to be part of the drive to a more gender equal future for the legal profession.
Law Week 2021
Every year, the Law Society promotes Law Week, an opportunity to bring together the legal profession and the broader community to build a shared understanding of the law. This year’s programme promises to be a jampacked and exciting one, with a range of events for both the profession and the community from Monday, 17 May to Friday, 21 May – Mark your Diaries! This year’s Law Week Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, 19 May at Perth Convention and 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 to their numbers in the Parliament to introduce Bills amending out of date legislation, or new legislation. With a Government majority in both the Assembly and the Council, WA is now in a unique position to have issues such as the outdated Equal Opportunity Act and Administration Act updated and progressed through the Parliament in a timely manner, and we have commenced advocating for these amendments to be a priority. Indeed, the Law Society considers that the introduction and passage of overdue law reform initiatives will be the ultimate test of this Government’s success during its second term of office.
Legal Profession Uniform Law
In my previous report to Brief I noted that the Uniform Law Application Bills were not passed by the WA legislature prior to the election and they now must be re-introduced. It is hard to say how soon this will happen, however the tentative date for commencement of the Uniform Law is 1 January 2022. 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 Non-
Contentious 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 Attorney-
Generals
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.
In the lead up to Law Week, the Law Society invites members to submit entries to the Law Society Lawyer of the Year Awards.
The Law Society Lawyer of the Year Awards recognise practitioners who have made particularly noteworthy contributions to the Western Australian legal profession, over and above what might be reasonably expected through paid legal employment.
Do you know someone who could be the Law Society Lawyer of the Year?
Nominations for the Law Society Lawyer of the Year Awards are now open until 2.00pm Monday, 20 April 2021. Law Society members are invited to nominate a worthy recipient in the categories of Lawyer of the Year (more than 5 years’ experience) and Lawyer of the Year (less than 5 years’ experience). Winners are announced at the Law Week Awards Night and Cocktail Evening, on Friday, 21 May 2021.
For full criteria and further information, please visit www.lawsocietywa.asn.au/law-week
WA Lawyer of the Year Award Recipients
Practitioner with more than five years’ experience
2020 – Lucy Dickens 2019 – Dr Carolyn Tan 2018 – Haley Allan 2017 – Simon Creek and Nicholas van Hattem 2016 – Claire Rossi and Glen McLeod 2015 – John Fiocco 2014 – Melanie Cave 2013 – Thomas Percy QC 2012 – Denis McLeod and Clare Thompson 2011 – Shayla Strapps and Amanda Goodier 2009 – Steven Penglis 2008 – Dr Johannes Schoombee
Practitioner with less than five years’ experience
2020 – Heidi Gan and Hamish Glenister 2019 – Kelsi Forrest 2018 – Tegan Harrington 2017 – Krista McMeeken 2016 – Michael Geelhoed 2015 – Callum Hair 2014 – Jessica Bowman and Stephanie Puris 2013 – Gary Mack 2012 – Tammy Solonec 2011 – Breony Allen 2009 – Toni Emmanuel 2008 – Anna Rakoczy
A FOCUS ON LAW AND JUSTICE IN THE COMMUNITY
17-21 May 2021 get involved
Be part of Law Week and arrange for your firm or organisation to hold a Law Week event or seminar.
