Friday, 12 May 2017
Law Week 2017
Law Week is the biggest event on the Canberra legal calendar. From Monday 15 May to Saturday 20 May, the legal community comes together for a week of lectures, forums, tours and social events.
Law Week’s goal is to promote public understanding of the law and its role in society. The theme of Law Week for 2017 is “Law and Justice in Your Community”.
Law Week also seeks to raise donations for a Canberra charity. In 2017, ACT Law Week will be supporting the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre (AILC). The AILC is Australia’s only national provider of accredited Indigenous leadership education programs. Since their establishment in 2001, they have transformed the lives of more than 2000 graduates. The AILC is owned and controlled by Indigenous Australians.
Highlights
Attorney-General Mr Gordon Ramsay MLA will officially open Law Week 2017 at the Law Week Launch, featuring the ACT Golden Gavel on Monday 15 May 2017 at 5.30pm at the ANU Commons Function Centre. Following the opening, he will join the Hon Justice Michael Elkaim, and Law Society President Sarah Avery, to judge the ACT Golden Gavel speaking competition. Tickets are $30.
The 32nd Annual Blackburn Lecture will be held on Tuesday 16 May 2017 at 12.30pm at the JCSMR's Finkel Lecture Theatre. Justin Gleeson SC, barrister and former Solicitor-General of Australia, will deliver his lecture on the "Law, Morality and the Public Trust". Entry is by gold coin donation.
The Women Lawyers Association of the ACT will host the Annual Law Week Dinner on Wednesday 17 May 2017 at The Deck at Regatta Point. The guest speaker will be noted author and feminist Clementine Ford. Tickets have sold out.
Public Assistance
Legal Advice Bureau: Free 15-minute appointments to discuss legal matters with experienced solicitors. Monday to Thursday, 12.30pm to 2pm at the ACT Law Society. Bookings essential. Call 6274 0300.
Wills Day: Free 30-minute appointments with a specialist solicitor for advice on how to set up a Will. Friday 19 May, 11am to 2pm at the ACT Law Society. Bookings essential. Call 6274 0300.
Tours of the ACT Supreme Court: Two public tours a day, comprising a 20 minute talk and tour of the Court, followed by a live court sitting. Monday to Friday, at 11am and 2pm. Bookings essential. Call 6207 0355.
ACT Law Week is coordinated by the ACT Law Society, in conjunction with the ACT Bar Association, the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, the ACT Supreme Court, the Animal Defenders Office ACT, Legal Aid ACT, and the Women Lawyers Association ACT. Financial support comes from principal sponsor Lawcover.
For more information about Law Week events, please contact Nicole Karman at the Law Society on (02) 6274 0300.
For further information contact:
Ms Dianne O'Hara, Chief Executive Officer, ACT Law Society, T 02 6274 0300