Monday, 19 May 2025
ACT Law Week 2025 Launches: Exploring Law, Engaging Communities, Inspiring Change
Law Week 2025 officially launched on Friday 16 May with a special address by Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner. Speaking at the event, Ms Finlay reflected on the importance of Law Week as “an important opportunity to reflect on the role of the law in our lives, and to celebrate the work of those who uphold it.”
Ms Finlay emphasised that a just and democratic society depends not only on laws, but on the core principles that guide them—fairness, equality before the law, transparency, and accountability. “These are not abstract ideals,” she said. “They are lived realities—or they should be—for every member of our community.”
The legal profession, she noted, plays a critical role in bringing this to life. “Lawyers, judges, and courts all help to ensure that rights are protected, that power is checked, and that justice is not just a promise but a practice.”
Celebrating Contributions to the Legal Profession and Community: 2025 ACT Law Society Service Awards
At the launch, the ACT Law Society proudly announced the recipients of the 2025 Law Week Service Awards. These awards recognise outstanding contributions to the Law Society, legal profession and the broader community.
This year’s recipients have demonstrated leadership, innovation, inclusivity, and a commitment to justice across various fields of legal practice:
-
Stacey Bell, DDCS Lawyers – Recognised for her exceptional impact as an early-career lawyer, highlighting innovation, inclusivity, and advocacy for access to justice.
-
Matthew Carmody, Ox Rooms – Honoured for his valuable contributions to innovation within the ACT legal sector.
-
Debra Parker, Parker Coles Curtis – Acknowledged for her leadership and excellence in family law and dispute resolution.
A Week of Insight, Learning, and Community Engagement
Law Week is an initiative held each May to promote public understanding of the law and its place in society. The ACT Law Society and its partners host a wide range of events for both the legal profession and the general public.
Key events include:
The Blackburn Lecture: “Australian Lawyers and Australian Democracy in 2025”, delivered by The Honourable Justice Mossop, addressing the external challenges to Australia's democracy, in particular those arising from the changes in the information landscape.
Important education for practitioners: Working with Indigenous Clients and Cultural Responsibility and Responsiveness and Trauma Informed and Culturally Competent Practice
Women in Law: A breakfast hosted by the ACT Bar Association Women Barristers Committee, featuring guest speaker Vanessa Edwige.
The ACT Courts and Tribunal invite students and members of the public to partake in a number of activities to celebrate Law Week 2025 on Friday 23 May
- A Mock Jury Empanelment
- “You Be the Judge” interactive event
- A local justice exhibition featuring community legal organisations including ACT Law Society’s New Lawyers providing insights on a career in law
- An educational court tour
Law Week continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the critical role legal professionals play in upholding justice, and how the law affects everyday life. It also provides a platform to honour those working to make the law more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our community.
For further information, interviews, or media enquiries, please contact:
ACT Law Society – Communications Officer
P: 0476 942 400
E: communications@actlawsociety.asn.au
W: https://www.actlawsociety.asn.au/about/law-week
