8:15am

Registration
Coffee and tea on arrival

8:45am

Mihi whakatau and conference opening 
Sponsor Introductions

9:15am

Keynote 1 – Hon Judith Collins KC, Attorney-General of New Zealand

9:45am

Role of judges in representative democracies

In an era marked by a global pandemic, cultural and geopolitical conflicts, and a threat of catastrophe for biodiversity and human societies, the judiciary's role in contemporary Australian and New Zealand society has never been more important. This panel will delve into the multifaceted roles judges perform—from interpreting and applying the law, to acting as a bastion against governmental overreach, to defending fundamental ideals and values, to being agents of societal change.

We'll explore how judges contribute to the development of the law and social progress, uphold the separation of powers, and ensure the stability and predictability necessary for civic peace and prosperity.

Chair: Bernadette Arapere (Ngāti Raukawa te au ki te Tonga, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto) – Kōkiri Chambers

Hon Justice Stephen Kόs (Supreme Court of New Zealand)
Hon Patrick Keane AC KC (former Judge of the High Court of Australia)
Una Jagose KC (Solicitor-General of New Zealand)
Professor Andrew Geddis (University of Otago)

10:45am

Morning Tea

11:15am

Institutional child sex abuse claims – Getting the right policy settings

Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse concluded in 2017. The Royal Commission's final report made wide-ranging recommendations concerning prevention strategies, changes to laws and policies, and ways to provide justice to survivors of child abuse.

The Australian government and various state and territory governments have taken steps to implement these recommendations and the courts have now delivered a number of important judgments in the area. Against that background, we ask have the settings in the Australian policy responses been the right ones? What lessons are available to New Zealand, whose own Royal Commission on this subject matter is due to report later this year?

Chair: Wendy Aldred (Stout Street Chambers)

Roisin Annesley KC (Lennon’s List Barristers, Victoria, Australia)
Dr James Plunkett (Lennon’s List Barristers, Victoria, Australia)

12:15pm

Navigating the New Frontier: Legal Ethics in the Digital Age

As AI integrates into legal research, case prediction, and even client interactions, what do barristers need to know to serve their clients’ interests? What are the ethical considerations that barristers need to confront? In an age where data breaches and cyber threats loom large, how can barristers safeguard client confidentiality and ensure the integrity of sensitive information they hold? This presentation will explore these pressing questions, offering insights into the ethical challenges and professional opportunities presented by digital advancements.

1:15pm

Lunch

2:00pm

Keynote 2:  LGBTIQA+ inclusion, language, and diversity

We’re honoured to announce that Dr Matt Collins KC will deliver a keynote address on the transformative power of visibility for LGBTIQA+ barristers, the imperative of embedding diversity into the fabric of our profession, and the relationship between inclusion and merit.

Dr Collins was the President of the Australian Bar Association in 2021-22. He was Vice-President of the ABA from 2019–21 and, before that, President of the Victorian Bar from 2017-19. He is a Senior Fellow at the Melbourne Law School, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, and a member of the Board and Council of the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration.

In 2019, Dr Collins was made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the law, to legal standards, and to education. In 2020, he was named one of Australia’s 50 Outstanding LGBTI+ Leaders by Deloitte Australia.

This is an unmissable opportunity for anyone interested in embracing the richness of diversity and fostering an inclusive legal community across Australia and New Zealand. Come to listen, learn, and be inspired to action by one of the most influential voices in our field.

3:00pm

Judicial responses to misconduct by prosecutors and the police

Australia and New Zealand have both had their share of high-profile criminal disclosure failures by the prosecution and wrongful investigative conduct by the police. In this panel session, experts from the bench and either side of the criminal bar will explore the intricate, sometimes difficult balance involved in upholding the integrity of the legal system, ensuring fair trials, and convicting and punishing the guilty of serious crimes.

4:00pm

Afternoon tea

4:30pm

Keynote 3:  Mental health at the bench and bar

We are delighted to have Justice O'Meara deliver a keynote address at our conference, continuing the conversation on mental health at the bench and bar. The Judge’s powerful and brutally honest address to the Victorian Bar Readers' Dinner resonated deeply with lawyers on both sides of the Tasman, laying claim to the most forwarded speech by the legal profession in this part of the world in 2023.

By courageously acknowledging his personal experience, Justice O'Meara's speech gave everyone else in the profession "permission" to prioritise their wellbeing and seek support. Join us for an inspiring session that advocates for mental health awareness and resilience in the legal community.

5:30pm

Casual drinks and canapés - Reds Bar within the Rydges Hotel

Wind up the first day of the conference by joining us for casual drinks and canapes.

8:45am

Climate change litigation

Is bringing legal proceedings in the courts an effective strategy in the fight against climate change, or is it merely a vanity project? Can the courts play a significant role in addressing the climate emergency, or are Parliament, the Executive and international bodies better equipped to tackle this enormous global challenge? 

A panel of experts will delve into these complex questions, exploring the impact and potential limitations of climate change litigation. Discover different perspectives on the role of the judiciary versus other institutions in combating climate change, and gain insights into the intersection of law, policy, and environmental advocacy. This will be an engaging discussion on one of the most critical issues of our time.

Chair: Martin Williams, Shakespeare Chambers (NZ)

Hon. Tony Randerson KC, former judge of the Court of Appeal | Te Kōti Pīra o Aotearoa (NZ) 
Emrys Nekvapil SC, Victorian Bar (AUS)
Jenny Cooper KC, Shortland Chambers (NZ)
Sophie Marjanac, ClientEarth (UK)

9:45am

Civil remedies

We’re told from our first days at law school that there’s no right without a remedy. Sometimes we’re even told it in Latin — Ubi jus ibi remedium — to reinforce its importance. However, despite sparking complex conceptual puzzles and raising crucial strategic considerations, remedies are still commonly sidelined in litigation. This panel looks at the latest important and interesting cases in this critical field.

Chair: Lauren Lindsay (Bankside Chambers)

Hon Justice Goddard (Te Kōti Pīra o Aotearoa | Court of Appeal of New Zealand)
Hon Justice Perram (Federal Court of Australia)