The Piddington Society is a non-profit association of lawyers who are committed to access to justice and professional collegiality.
Since 2010, we have hosted collegiate professional development and social events for the legal profession, and the broader community.
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.
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 offices, 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.