At the request of the Hon Attorney General, the Law Reform Commission of WA is reviewing legislative reforms to improve access to and participation in WA courts and tribunals for people with disability. A Consultation Paper has been released inviting feedback.
Today the Commission released a Consultation Paper as part of its review. The Consultation Paper considers the experience of persons with a wide range of disabilities who engage with Western Australia's courts and tribunals as:
- accused persons;
- convicted persons;
- victims or family of victims of crime;
- witnesses;
- jurors;
- parties in civil proceedings in courts and tribunals; and
- other persons appearing in civil proceedings in courts and tribunals.
The Consultation Paper considers whether there is a need for legislative reform and the best way to implement that reform. Amongst other things, the Consultation Paper considers whether there is a need to legislate for the provision of supports (including communication partners, interpreters and technology) to enable persons with disability to participate effectively in court and tribunal processes.
A further issue considered in the Consultation Paper is whether an overarching legislative statement of principles for access and participation would be the most effective means of driving practical reform across the court and tribunal system in Western Australia.
The Commission invites feedback in response to the issues raised in the Consultation Paper. The Commission is particularly keen to hear, first-hand, from people with disability who have experienced barriers to accessing and/or participating in courts and tribunals in Western Australia.
In late 2026 and early 2027, the Commission will also engage in consultation meetings to enable it to hear the views of persons with disability, disability support agencies, stakeholders across courts and tribunals, government agencies, and members of the public, about the issues raised in the Consultation Paper.
The feedback the Commission receives in response to the Consultation Paper, and in its consultation meetings, will inform the recommendations it makes in its final report to the Attorney General.
The Consultation Paper will be available in a variety of accessible formats. The Consultation Paper, and information on how to make a submission to the Commission and to participate in consultations being conducted by the Commission is available at Project 115 - Legislative Reforms to Improve Access to Western Australia's Court and Tribunal System for Persons with Disability on the Commission's website.
The deadline for submissions is 2 March 2027.
