brief.

News

Justice snapshot: 2026/27 State Budget

The State government has delivered what is being described as a “big-spending” budget, and Brief is pleased to report the justice system hasn’t missed out

May 8, 2026

In-depth·Legal lifestyle

A gentle paw in justice: a dog’s day at the Perth Children’s Court

In the busy halls of the Perth Children’s Court, a calm black Labrador facility dog named Perron is quietly transforming anxious moments into smiles reports Tiffany Cosby.

May 7, 2026

In-depth·Opinion

Law school days: an essay

Nicholas Hasluck recounts early Western Australian law school history in relation to a recently donated literary journal.

May 7, 2026

Case notes

Not every story needs telling: Family Court of WA confirms the limits of client-driven litigation

In Bailey and Petersen [2026] FCWA 50, O'Brien J concluded that the overwhelming majority of that material lacked probative value and should never have been filed, writes Dragana Blackwood.

May 6, 2026

In-depth·Legal lifestyle

Twice as hard, just as humble

Perth-born High Court Justice Michelle Gordon AC opens up about the quiet power of hard work, the importance of lived experience and creating meaningful change from the inside out.

May 4, 2026

Practice updates

Case notes·Practice updates

Costs dispute after barrister’s last minute withdrawal

Should an order for indemnity costs against a solicitor be set aside if counsel pulls out at the last minute?

May 1, 2026

Legal updates·Opinion

Robodebt and public responsibility: a corporate reimagining

Elise Bant, Professor of Private Law and Commercial Regulation, UWA argues for a new model of public responsibility.

April 30, 2026

Case notes

Same act, same tendency: High Court revives child sex convictions

Nicholas Hodgkinson considers the High Court ruling restoring child sexual offence convictions.

April 29, 2026

Case notes

Poisoning the testator’s mind: New Zealand recognises fraudulent calumny

A landmark ruling defines fraudulent calumny, but finds mistaken suspicion fell short of deliberate deceit in New Zealand inheritance litigation writes Joshua Pietras.

April 23, 2026

In-depth

In the words of our women

For International Women's Day 2026, the Law Society asked women lawyers from across the profession to reflect on how far we've come, and how far we still have to go.

March 6, 2026

In-depth·Legal lifestyle

A lens on the underworld

New York prosecutor Steven Vandervelden has confronted serial killers, mobsters, and everything in between.

May 1, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Wellbeing

If John McKechnie had a spare 10 minutes

Think you know someone? Tiffany Cosby asks some fun questions in this short and sweet occasional column about how lawyers spend their time ...

May 1, 2026

News

PHOTO GALLERY: Launch of the ‘Enduring Walls, Evolving Stories’ exhibition

The new exhibition launched on 21 April at the Old Court House Law Museum.

April 30, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Opinion

It’s okay to be nervous: reflections on confidence, success and collegiality for new lawyers

The Honourable Justice Stephen Lemonis of the Supreme Court of Western Australia delivered the keynote address at the Law Society’s annual Welcome to the Profession breakfast on 17 April 2026.

April 29, 2026

News

PHOTO GALLERY: Welcome to the Profession Breakfast 2026

See the images from the Welcome to the Profession Breakfast held on Fri 17 April.

April 23, 2026

News

Welcome to the Profession Breakfast: celebrating the next generation of lawyers

His Honour Justice Stephen Lemonis delivered a thoughtful keynote address to nearly 200 emerging lawyers.

April 23, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Reviews

Book review: Modern Statutory Interpretation: Framework, Principles and Practice

This book is a comprehensive exposition on a difficult subject writes Gad Coffie in his review.

April 22, 2026

Opinion

The serious cost of free or cheap wills and estate planning

Ross McDougall explains why cheap wills can create costly mistakes, hidden conflicts and invalid documents in estate planning.

April 20, 2026

Practice updates·Risk management

Preparing for Tranche 2 AML CTF laws while avoiding unintended consequences

Preparing for the introduction of Tranche 2 of AML CTF reforms will probably involve the biggest changes in the last 25 years for many in the legal profession.

April 20, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Wellbeing

If Michael Stork had a spare 10 minutes

Think you know someone? Tiffany Cosby asks some fun questions in this short and sweet occasional column about how lawyers spend their time ...

April 17, 2026

Legal Lifestyle

Legal lifestyle·Wellbeing

Beyond Billables: Would you rather appear as counsel or a stand-up comedian?

Beyond Billables is an occasional column that sees Ange Seen Yang, a self-described lawyer and recovering perfectionist, try things for the first time …

April 15, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Wellbeing

If Michael Olds had a spare 10 minutes

Think you know someone? Tiffany Cosby asks some fun questions in this short and sweet occasional column about how lawyers spend their time ...

April 1, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Wellbeing

If Michelle Sims had a spare 10 minutes

Think you know someone? Tiffany Cosby asks some fun questions in this short and sweet occasional column about how lawyers spend their time ...

March 16, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Wellbeing

If Gary Mack had a spare 10 minutes

Think you know someone? Tiffany Cosby asks some fun questions in this short and sweet occasional column about how lawyers spend their time ...

March 5, 2026

Podcasts

Legal lifestyle·Podcast

You know that oddly flat feeling when work is neither terrible nor fulfilling?

Reviewing Jennifer Breheny Wallace's book, 'Mattering' and realising the issue might not be the work, the hours or the pressure, but that you feel like you don't matter.

April 16, 2026