Law Access has established a Lawyers for LGBTIQ+ Network to provide pro bono legal assistance to financially disadvantaged members of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Pro bono work undertaken by barrister Steven Penglis on instructions from Herbert Smith Freehills on a public interest matter referred by Law Access has led to a reference from the Attorney General to the Law Reform Commission.
Mr Penglis has been appointed Special Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission (on a pro bono basis) to assist with the Commission’s Review of Western Australian legislation in relation to the recognition of a person’s sex, change of sex or intersex status.
The Review will examine and make recommendations as to any legislative reform necessary to the Gender Reassignment Act 2000 (WA) and the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1998 (WA) to improve the process by which a person’s change of sex or a person’s intersex status is recognised by law in Western Australia and any consequential amendments required.
Law Access encourages members of the transgender community in Western Australia to approach us if they need pro bono assistance to make submissions to this inquiry and looks forward to the Commission’s recommendations.