Marion Buchanan

Marion has appeared as counsel in all courts in Western Australia, the Federal Circuit Court in Tasmania, the State Administrative Tribunal, and the Mental Health Tribunal.

She acts primarily in family and criminal matters.

Marion has a unique perspective regarding ethical issues arising in the medico-legal context, particularly in relation to decision-making capacity. She has spent much of her career representing the interests of marginalised people, including people with mental impairment and other disability.

Prior to being called to the Bar, Marion was principal policy adviser (2021 – 2023) to the Hon. John Quigley, MLA, Attorney General; Minister for Electoral Affairs and senior adviser (2018 – 2021) to the Hon. Roger Cook, MLA (then) Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Minister for Mental Health.

Her advisory work for the Ministers spans a considerable range of issues including end-of-life, palliative care, aged care, mental health, disability, guardianship and administration, electoral law, and people with mental impairment in the justice system. She was the senior adviser on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2019, the principal adviser on the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Bill 2023, and the principal adviser and drafting instructor on the Constitutional and Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Equality) Bill 2021 and the Electoral Legislation (Finance and Other Matters) Bill 2023.

Marion also assisted the Legislative Assembly Joint Select Committee on End-of-Life Choices with public hearings, research, and drafting for the Committee’s report My Life, My Choice, tabled in Parliament in 2018.

Prior to this Marion practiced law for 11 years commencing her career at Dwyer Durack. She then worked for 3 years as a Crown (then State) prosecutor for the Western Australian Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) where she appeared in all courts for pleas, sentencing, bail hearings, and as junior counsel in criminal trials. After leaving the ODPP Marion practiced in family law in Western Australia and Tasmania. Marion’s experience base also includes the community legal sector, having been the senior lawyer at the Mental Health Law Centre (MHLC), inaugural Principal Lawyer at Peel Community Legal Service, and locum supervising solicitor at Southern Community Advocacy Legal and Education Service.

At MHLC, she represented clients with mental impairment facing criminal charges and those opposing orders for guardianship, administration, and involuntary detention. This work led her to read for a Master of Bioethics, which she completed in 2021.

Outside of the law she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading philosophy, ocean swimming, and keeping up with her greyhound, TRex.

Marion prefers to receive briefs online prepared using eBrief Ready.