The Regional Alliance of Justice Associations (RAJA) has welcomed today’s announcement that regional court sittings in Western Australia will resume on 3 August 2026 following a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Justice and WA Police on court security and custodial services.

In a joint Public Notice issued today, the heads of Western Australia’s four courts of jurisdiction also confirmed that video link hearings from affected locations in relation to arrested persons would resume immediately.

RAJA acknowledges the real impact of the suspension on the individuals, families and communities whose matters have been disrupted.

RAJA Chair Brodie Lewis said the early restoration was a welcome step, but the underlying issue had not gone away.

“The State has moved quickly to rectify this issue – and that matters. The Department of Justice’s commitment to long-term reform is both welcome and necessary. Regional justice infrastructure cannot continue to depend on workaround arrangements between two stretched agencies. RAJA is ready to be at that table, and we will be watching to make sure regional legal assistance services are at it too.

— Brodie Lewis, Chair, Regional Alliance of Justice Associations

RAJA notes the need for reform is significant. The restoration of court services is welcome, but the underlying access-to-justice barriers in regional and remote Western Australia — travel, language, and the practicalities of remote participation — fall most heavily on Aboriginal people and communities in remote WA. Meaningful reform must address each of these, and must be designed with regional legal services, Aboriginal-led organisations, and the communities most affected at the table.

Media contact:

Brodie Lewis, Chairperson, RAJA

0488 114 954 | ad***@******rg.au