Merredin Legal

What should lawyers wear in court?
In the WA magistrates court, lawyers do not wear traditional robes or wigs.
• Suits: A well-tailored, professional suit in conservative colours such as navy, charcoal, black, or dark grey.
• Jackets: Wearing a suit jacket or blazer is mandatory while addressing the Magistrate.
• Shirts and Tops: A conservative collared shirt (typically white, light blue, or neutral) or a high-quality, modest business blouse.
• Neckwear: For those wearing traditional men's suits, a tie is generally expected. Ties should be understated and free from loud or novelty patterns.
• Bottoms: Matching suit trousers, or a knee-length (or longer) corporate skirt or dress.
• Footwear: Dark, polished, closed-toe formal dress shoes.
Strictly Prohibited
• Casual Wear: Jeans, chinos, t-shirts, sneakers, or polo shirts.
• Headwear: Hats, caps, or sunglasses (unless required for medical or religious reasons).
• Revealing Clothing: Low-cut tops or excessively short skirts. Ouch.

Immigration

The Federal government is ramping up deportations and compliance ideas, adding 100 compliance officers and more detention beds to target an estimated 70,000 visa overstayers.

If you find yourself targeted by these new measures come and see us.

Who knew Merredin Legal would be Immigration Lawyers?

If I build a Granny Flat on my daughter’s land, can I put a caveat on her land?
Yes, but, you have to hold a recognised equitable or legal interest in the land before you can be sure the caveat will work! If it doesn’t work you may be up for legal costs.
A great deal of time is spent in some of the higher courts construing agreements and interpreting the intentions of parties through cobbled together assortments of paperwork and recollections of 25 year old conversations. Or you could go and see a lawyer and draft a legal document.

💚⚖️ HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! ⚖️💚

Here’s to the dads who give free legal advice despite having absolutely no legal qualifications. 😂

The dads who can fix anything with cable ties, know the best way to do everything, and consider “because I said so” a perfectly reasonable closing argument.

From all of us at Merredin Legal, Happy Father’s Day to the dads, grandads, stepdads and father figures out there.

Enjoy your day, fellas — and try to stay out of trouble.

If not… you know where we are. 😉⚖️

Merredin Legal | Serving Rural Communities

No we do not do Legal Aid funded matters. There are many law firms who will do Legal Aid matters.

Artificial Intelligence nails it again (he says reluctantly)! Why do people get nervous about writing a will?

• Magical Thinking: The brain links the act of writing a legal document with the physical reality of dying.
• Facing Mortality: Making a will forces people to confront the uncomfortable and scary thought of their own death.
• Cultural Taboos: Many societies treat death as a bad omen, making any preparation feel like bad luck.
• Illusion of Control: People mistakenly feel that ignoring a will keeps death away and protects them from danger.

There is a Bill being drafted in Western Australia to amend the Sentencing Act 1995 (WA) to remove the use of good character references as mitigation in sentencing for all offences.
If this bill is passed it means that the references from your family and friends and other connected individuals will no longer be used in court to support evidence of you being of good character.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/latenightlive/sovereign-citizens-harry-hobbs/107033640

The secret way out: Inside the world of sovereign citizens - ABC listen What if your mortgage was illegal, your taxes were voluntary and you could simply opt out of the law? Sovereign citizens believe they’ve discovered a hidden legal system that can set them free from the state. Outlawed explores the strange world of pseudolaw, and what its rise tells us about trust,...

More lawyers needed in Merredin

To work as a lawyer in Western Australia, you must:

complete approved academic qualifications
complete a Practical Legal Training (PLT) program
be accepted by the Legal Practice Board as a fit and proper person
satisfy English Language Proficiency Requirements
be admitted by the Supreme Court of Western Australia
receive a current Australian Practising Certificate from the Legal Practice Board.

JPs and Wills

Can JPs give legal advice? No

Can JPs sign alterations to a Will so that it means that the Will will hold up with the alterations in the Supreme Court of WA with their signature or initial on it, or in the text near the alterations? No

After JPs read the oath and ask you to swear or affirm, do they have to do more than see you sign and say they saw you sign? No

Do you have to answer a JP about personal questions after they have asked you to swear or affirm or at any other time? No.