Supreme Court

FAQ - Admissions - General

The Court receives many queries in relation to applications for admission and the admission ceremony itself. Frequently asked questions and their answers are set out below. Any further enquiries should be directed to the Admissions Secretary on (08) 9421 5308.

Prior To Filing Documents

1. Where do I find out how to be admitted?
2. What documents are required?
3. When do I need to file my Originating Motion for Admission by?
4. Do I need my full name on the Originating Motion for Admission
5. Where do I file my Originating Motion for Admission?
6. Does it cost anything to file the papers?
7. Can I pay by EFTPOS or Visa?
8. Can I courier the documents?




After Documents Are Filed

9. Are my documents correct?
10. Can I be admitted if I don’t attend the ceremony?
11. Can I change Counsel moving my admission after filing the Originating Motion for Admission? Do I need to re-file my motion paper?
12. Can I affirm my Oath instead of swearing it on the day of admission?
13. Do I need to remember my Oath/Affirmation for the day of admissions?
14. At what time is the admission ceremony held?
15. What does counsel say at the admissions?
16. Is counsel required to robe and wear a wig at the admissions?
17. Can my parents/friends take photos of the admission ceremony?
18. Can I use my own Bible/Koran at the admission ceremony?
19. Can I get a copy of my certificate?
20. How do I obtain confirmation from the Court that I remain on the Roll as an admitted lawyer?

Prior To Filing Documents

1. Where do I find out how to be admitted?

   The Legal Practice Board of Western Australia has statutory responsibility for the admission of all lawyers in Western Australia. Its website contains a detailed description of the procedure for admissions.



2. What documents are required?

   You must file two copies of the 'Originating Motion for Admission' (see r 11, Legal Profession Rules 2008). The second copy of the motion paper will be returned to you duly endorsed by the Court for service on the Legal Practice Board (r 11(2)(b)). Click on this link for a template of the required motion paper
.



3. When do I need to file my Originating Motion for Admission by?

   You must file your motion paper at least 2 months before your proposed date for admission (see O 75A, Rules of the Supreme Court 1971). The following table sets out the admission and filing dates for 2009 and 2010:
   
   

   ADMISSION & FILING DATES for 2009:

   Admission Day	Admission Date	Motion Paper to be filed by	LPB Certificate filed by:
   Thursday	5 March 2009	27 February 2009 (pursuant to transitional provisions)	n/a
   Thursday	2 April 2009	3 March 2009 (2 month period waived)	25 March 2009
   Monday	4 May 2009	4 March 2009	24 April 2009
   Thursday	4 June 2009	3 April 2009	27 May 2009
   Thursday	2 July 2009	1 May 2009	24 June 2009
   Tuesday	4 August 2009	4 June 2009	27 July 2009
   Thursday	3 September 2009	3 July 2009	26 August 2009
   Monday	5 October 2009	3 August 2009	25 September 2009
   Tuesday	3 November 2009	3 September 2009	26 October 2009
   Friday	18 December 2009	19 October 2009	10 December 2009

   
   
   

   ADMISSION & FILING DATES for 2010:

   Admission Day	Admission Date	Motion Paper to be filed by	LPB Certificate filed by:
   Tuesday	2 February 2010	2 December 2009	25 January 2010
   Thursday	4 March 2010	4 January 2010	24 February 2010
   Thursday	8 April 2010	8 February 2010	31 March 2010
   Tuesday	4 May 2010	2 March 2010	27 April 2010
   Thursday	3 June 2010	1 April 2010	26 May 2010
   Friday	2 July 2010	30 April 2010	24 June 2010
   Tuesday	3 August 2010	1 June 2010	26 July 2010
   Thursday	2 September 2010	30 June 2010	25 August 2010
   Monday	4 October 2010	2 August 2010	27 September 2010
   Tuesday	2 November 2010	31 August 2010	25 October 2010
   Friday	17 December 2010	15 October 2010	9 December 2010

   

4. Do I need my full name on the Originating Motion for Admission?

   Yes, your full name, date of birth and residential address is required.



5. Where do I file my Originating Motion for Admission?

   You must file your motion paper at the Central Office, Supreme Court, Stirling Gardens, Perth.



6. Does it cost anything to file the papers?

   Yes, the current filing fee is $215.50. The fee is amended from time to time.



7. Can I pay by EFTPOS or Visa?

   Yes, we have both facilities. You can also pay by cash or cheque.



8. Can I courier the documents?

   Yes, provided they are filed at the Central Office with the fee being paid at the same time.



After Documents Are Filed

9. Are my documents correct?

   The Court will notify you only if your documents are incorrect.



10. Can I be admitted if I do not attend the ceremony?

    You must attend the ceremony unless you are being admitted under the Mutual Recognition (Western Australia) Act 2001 in which case you may elect to have your application dealt with on the papers without an appearance. If you are seeking admission under the Mutual Recognition (Western Australia) Act 2001 you should consult the FAQ > Admissions > Mutual Recognition, on this website.



11. Can I change Counsel moving my admission after filing the Originating Motion for Admission? Do I need to re-file my motion paper?

    Yes, you can change your Counsel (you are not required to re file your motion paper). You need to put your request in writing at least 48 hours before the ceremony is due to take place and the Court will amend your Originating Motion for Admission. Please fax all such requests to the Admissions Secretary on 9421 5465.



12. Can I affirm my Oath instead of swearing it on the day of admission?

    You may either swear or affirm your Oath. It will be assumed that you will swear your Oath, however if you wish to affirm your Oath you must advise the Admissions Secretary at least 3 days before the ceremony takes place.



13. Do I need to remember my Oath/Affirmation for the day of admissions?

    No, the Oath/Affirmation is provided to you on the day and the procedure for your admission will be explained prior to the ceremony commencing.



14. At what time is the admission ceremony held?

    The Court will advise you of the time and date of the ceremony. Both you and the counsel who will be moving your admission should arrive at Court at least 20 minutes prior to the admission ceremony commencing.



15. What does counsel say at the admissions?

    It gives me great pleasure to move that __________________ be admitted as a lawyer of this Honourable Court.



16. Is counsel required to robe and wear a wig at the admissions?

    Counsel is robed but does not wear a wig.



17. Can my parents/friends take photos of the admission ceremony?

    Taking photographs inside the Court is not permitted. Photographs can be taken outside the Court or in the gardens.



18. Can I use my own Bible/Koran at the admission ceremony?

    Yes. If you have special requirements for your admission, you must contact the Admissions Secretary and advise them of your particular requirements so arrangements can be made prior to the admission day.



19. Can I get a copy of my certificate?

    To obtain a certified copy of your admissions certificate, you must provide the Court with proof that you have lost your original certificate as a result of theft, flood, fire or suchlike. The certified copy incurs a $14 fee.



20. How do I obtain confirmation from the Court that I remain on the Roll as an admitted lawyer?

    If you need to establish that you remain on the Roll, then you may write to the Court and request a 'Certificate of Good Standing'. You must provide the Court with your full name and date of admission. A certificate will then be issued to you. A fee is payable for the provision of a certificate. The current fee structure is located on this web site at General Division Fees.