Tuesday, 16 April 2019
Law Week 2019
Law Week is the biggest event on the Canberra legal calendar. From Monday 13 May to Saturday 18 May, the legal community comes together for a week of lectures, forums, tours, and social events, and to raise funds for a local charity. Law Week is proudly sponsored by Lawcover.
In 2019, we are raising funds for the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS). DVCS are passionate about breaking the domestic violence cycle in the Canberra community. For over thirty years, they have been providing emergency and long-term support, advice, domestic violence resources, and services.
Public Assistance
Legal Advice Bureau: Free 15-minute appointments to discuss legal matters with experienced solicitors. Monday to Thursday, 12.30-2pm 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 17 May, 11am to 2pm at the ACT Law Society. Bookings essential. Call 6274 0300.
Tours of the ACT Supreme Court: A public tour, comprising a 20 minute talk and tour of the Court, followed by a live court sitting. Monday 13 May and Thursday 16 May at 11am. Bookings essential. Call 6207 0355.
Highlights
Attorney-General Mr Gordon Ramsay MLA will officially open Law Week 2019 at the Law Week Launch. Following the opening, he will join the Hon Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson, and Justice Minister Shane Rattenbury MLA, to judge the ACT Golden Gavel speaking competition. Monday 13 May, 5.30pm, Great Hall of University House. Tickets $30.
The 34th Annual Blackburn Lecture will be delivered by Karen Fryar AM. Karen was the first woman appointed to the judiciary in the ACT, and has been lauded for her work in preventing family violence. Tuesday 14 May, 12.30pm, Pilgrim House Conference Centre. Entry by gold coin donation.
The Women Lawyers Association of the ACT will host the Annual Law Week Dinner with guest speaker Azmeena Hussain, a Principal at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and a passionate social justice advocate. Wednesday 15 May, 6.30pm, The Boat House by the Lake. Tickets $130.
Lectures and forums
Legal Professional Privilege: To be or not to be? The ACT Bar Association presents the annual Law Week Breafast. Barristers Steven Whybrow and James Stewart will provide insight into why it is important for every legal practitioner to understand and claim professional privilege, to preserve both the privilege, and the reputation of the legal profession as a whole. Wednesday 15 May, 7.30-9am, King & Wood Mallesons. Tickets $30.
Here, There and Everywhere: Human rights developments locally and nationally: The ACT Human Rights Commission presents a panel of local experts — Dr Helen Watchirs OAM, President of the ACT Human Right Commission; Heidi Yates, the Victims of Crime Commissioner; and Parastou Hatami and Naomi Gould of Canberra Community Law will discuss the practical experiences of applying human rights in ACT proceedings. Wednesday 15 May, 12.30-2pm, ACT Law Society. Tickets $30.
Deserving of rights: Legal personhood and animal law: The Animal Defenders Office presents a seminar exploring how lawyers around the world have sought to gain legal personhood for non-human entities such as chimpanzees, bears, and rivers, with innovative uses of areas such as copyright and constitutional law. Thursday 16 May, 6-7.30pm, ACT Law Society. Tickets $30.
ACT Law Week is coordinated by the ACT Law Society, in conjunction with the ACT Bar Association, the ACT Courts and Tribunal, the ACT Human Rights Commission, the ACT Law Society Young Lawyers Committee, the Animal Defenders Office, and the Women Lawyers Association ACT. Financial support comes from principal sponsor Lawcover, with dinner sponsor Maurice Blackburn, breakfast sponsor King & Wood Mallesons, and quiz night sponsor Michael Page Legal.
For further information contact:
Ms Dianne O'Hara, Chief Executive Officer, ACT Law Society, T 02 6274 0300