The Piddington Society is a non-profit association of lawyers who are committed to access to justice and professional collegiality.
Founded in 2010, we believe that professional development, collegiality and supporting access to justice can go together. Over time, Piddington has become a sophisticated organisation that works to further justice.
Proceeds from all of our activities go toward our access to justice projects. Currently, these are the Piddington PLT Fund, the Piddington Justice Fund and Kaartidjin, our First Nations Legal Education Fund.
Our annual calendar consists of our landmark practical legal training course, Piddington PLT, full and multi-day conferences and short courses, half-day CPD sessions and social events. We also operate a legal assistance clinic and support law students entering the profession.
You don't need to be a member to join our activities, we welcome everyone who supports advancing access to justice and collegiality.
Piddington Justice Projects
We currently have three Piddington Justice Projects: the Piddington PLT Fund, the Piddington Justice Fund and Kaartidjin, our First Nations Legal Education Fund. Annually, these contribute tens of thousands of dollars a year back to the community.
The Piddington PLT Fund
supports the community legal centres which host Piddington PLT graduates to complete their hours required for admission. Grants are made annually to cover some of the administration and management costs associated.
The Piddington Justice Fund
is available to community legal centres to cover costs that they otherwise cannot meet or to pilot new projects.
the Kaartidjin Fund
is available to First Nations law and pre-law students studying in or with a connection to Western Australia to support their legal education and pathway to practice.
Kaartidjin means knowledge in Noongar.
Piddington PLT
Piddington PLT is a practical legal training (PLT) project run in partnership with community legal centres.
Piddington PLT is a competitive entry course with a cost that is one of the lowest in Australia.
Each graduate is guaranteed a work experience placement at a CLC, with many also completing their placements in paid roles with the judiciary and private firms.
The course is delivered almost exclusively by lawyers - including judges, magistrates, statutory officers, Senior Counsel and others. Where a lawyer does not present, we use our network to find leading subject matter experts to ensure you learn from the best.
Central to Piddington PLT is connecting new law graduates with the profession. Piddington PLT sessions end with professional development sessions where lawyers come and join the cohort to learn about mutually relevant topics. Graduates are also encouraged to engage with wider Piddington activities, regularly introducing senior members of the profession, including members of the judiciary, before audiences.
Albert Bathurst Piddington (pictured) was appointed to the High Court in March 1913 and resigned a month later, never sitting on the bench, following criticism of court stacking in his appointment.
He was, however, always well respected and appointed King’s Counsel in 1921.
Supporting Justice, seeking collegiality
We sourced our name from Albert Bathurst Piddington, Australia's shortest-serving justice High Court.
Inspired by his brevity, and commitment to justice, in 2010 we began by organising relaxed and informal professional events. It worked on the premise that lawyers were not being provided with enough quality opportunities for collegiality.
Chris and Nick wanted a way for practitioners to come together, learn and engage with each other in a social environment. From this one of our core beliefs was developed: "you don't write an angry letter to someone you've had a drink with".
In 2013, the Piddington Bali Law Conference was held for the first time. Our capstone event, held annually on the WA Day long weekend in June, is an opportunity for lawyers to come together in a collegiate way to undertake continuing professional development.
Now, our annual calendar of events
Our annual calendar of events now includes five CPD Masterclasses, three CPD lecture events, and as well as the Bali conference. We firmly believe that Piddington is for the profession - wherever practitioners are - we have held sessions in Kalgoorlie, Broome and on Rottnest, as well as online CPD.
The Piddington Society is an incorporated association governed by a Committee.
The Committee is comprised of:
The Hon Kenneth Martin KC (Chair ), Shaban Azad, Thomas de Bes, Catriona Macleod, Briannen Morrow, Monty Purich, Zoe Thornton and Nicholas van Hattem.
Our former chairs include the Hon John Chaney SC and the Hon Christine Wheeler AO KC.
Day-to-day management of The Piddington Society is conducted by a small staff.