Every year, all around the country (14-20 May 2018), the legal community celebrates a festival of law. The aim is to not only make the law and legal processes more accessible and engaging but also to enhance community understanding of the law and justice system.

Sound implawsible? (gettit)

Read on to discover what exciting legal events and free legal information sessions are happening near you.

What’s on near me? A few of our hot picks for Victorians

Law Week 2018 is bigger and better than ever with over 180 events taking place. Below is a selection of our favourites.

LAW WEEK FESTIVAL HUB AT FEDERATION SQUARE

What?

The Law Week Festival Hub is where you can find out more information about Law Week, talk to event partners, get free legal advice, listen to music, pick up a program, balloons and stickers, dress up in a photo booth, and make your very own fingerprint badge.

The Law Week information session series provides an opportunity to attend special events and presentations at the hub, where people can also speak with staff from various legal organisations. Check the program for times and the individual event listing for full details.

When?

Monday 14 – Thursday 17 May 2018

More Information

Everyday Law Victoria

ESPRESSO LEGAL LAUNCH – FREE LEGAL HELP, FREE COFFEE

What?

Free legal assistance and free coffee! A coffee van staffed by a barista, a team of lawyers and community information volunteers will visit new developments and isolated communities in the urban-rural fringes of the City of Whittlesea.

When?

Monday 14 May 2018

Where?

The launch of Espresso Legal will be held at the Mernda Central School, 70 Breadalbane Ave, Mernda VIC 3754, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am on Monday 14 May.

TRIAL BY (SOCIAL) MEDIA – JURY DUTY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

What?

Paul Dore, Victoria’s Juries Commissioner, leads a discussion on jury duty in the digital age.

Questions such as:

• Will the iPhone mark the death of the jury system as we know it?
• Can our natural inclination to Google information undermine the justice system?
• Is social media eroding the right to a fair trial?

Will be answered!

Learn about the good, the bad and the ugly side of technology and juries in 2018.

Where?

Supreme Court of Victoria, enter via 485 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

When?

Saturday 19 May 2o18, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

https://www.everyday-law.org.au/events/courts-open-day-trial-by-social-media-jury-duty-in-the-digital-age

Presented by Supreme Court of Victoria and Juries Victoria

Cost?

Free! Bookings not required.

COURTS OF THE FUTURE – HOW DIGITALISATION AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY MAY CHANGE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

What?

Learn how digitalisation and innovative technology may change the justice system.

Join one of Australia’s top digital influencers, Peter Williams, for an interactive talk about courts in the future followed by a panel discussion.

When?

Saturday 19 May

Where?

Waldron Hall, County Court of Victoria, 250 William St, Melbourne

Cost?

Free entry. Bookings not required

TOUGH ON THE CAUSES OF CRIME – PANEL DISCUSSION ON ALTERNATIVES TO PRISON FOR WOMEN

What?

Victorian Ombudsman, Ms Deborah Glass, will offer alternatives to incarceration for women, and what can be done to reduce re-offending, drawing from her report ‘Investigation into the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners in Victoria’.

Presented by Women and Mentoring (WAM)

When?

Tuesday 15 May 2018, 5:15 pm to 7:00 pm

Where?

‘The Bowl’ – nab Melbourne, Ground floor, 500 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Cost?

$10 Bookings essential

More Information

Everyday Law Victoria

FAMILY VIOLENCE SEMINAR REGARDING LGBTIQ

What?

17 May 2018, is International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDOHOBiT).

This WIRE seminar will feature a panel of experts and practitioners discussing responses to family violence in an LGBTIQ context. Important questions such as:

• What is family violence?
• How family violence affects the LGBTIQ community?
• What legal protections and support is available?
• What’s been done by the mainstream family violence sector to develop an LGBTIQ inclusive practice?

Julie Kun, WIRE CEO, facilitate a lively discussion.

When?

Wednesday 16 May 2018, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Panelists include:

• Rebecca Dahl (Senior Associate, Nicholes Family Lawyers)
• Matthew Parsons (Research Operations Manager, the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society, La Trobe University & Research Officer, GLHV@ARCSHS)
• Liam Leonard (Director, GLHV@ARCSHS, La Trobe University)
• A Safe Steps representative

Presented by WIRE Women’s Information

Where?

WIRE Women’s Information, 372 Spencer Street, West Melbourne

Cost?

Free. Bookings essential

More information

Everyday Law Victoria

EXPLORING THE MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF GAY, LESBIAN AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN VICTORIA’S PRISONS

What?

There has been international consideration on the experiences of gay, lesbian and transgender (‘GLT’) people in prisons. This dialogue, however, has not reached Australia. There is no reference to the unique experiences of GLT people in Victoria’s corrections guidelines, regulation or legislation.

This panel discussion will examine this issue compared with international best practice, current scholarship on the issue, and advances made in similar jurisdictions. It will feature a panel made up of individuals working in Victoria’s criminal justice system, as well as advocates of the GLT community. The objective of the event is to educate, inform and encourage future consideration of the issue.

When?

Tuesday 15 May 2018

More Information

Everyday Law Victoria

DECODING PRIVACY PROTECTION IN AUSTRALIA: FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND CHALLENGES

What?

This lunchtime event, featuring former Victorian Privacy Commissioner, David Watts and privacy by design expert, Bridget Bainbridge, will reflect on recent events in the area of privacy and data protection.

It will seek to promote an understanding of future government directions in data protection space, such the proposed Consumer Data Right.

Speakers will discuss their frontline experience of embedding privacy compliance in the private and public spheres. The event offers an opportunity to reflect on how we can effectively manage and oversee the use of personal data in the era of Facebook and Cambridge Analytica.

When?

Wednesday 16 May 2018, 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm

Where?

La Trobe University City Campus, Room 2.15, Level 2, 360 Collins Street, Melbourne

Presented by La Trobe Law School

Cost?

Free! Bookings essential.

More Information

Everyday Law Vic

LAW IN THE DIGITAL ERA: WHAT GOES INTO CREATING INVESTIGATIVE PODCASTS?

The phenomenally successful ‘Serial’ and other investigative podcasts have ushered in a new age in journalism and focused the public mind on the legal process in a whole new way.

Listen to this one-off podcast to hear from the people behind TRACE (Rachael Brown) and Phoebe’s Fall (Richard Baker), together with ABC Radio National’s The Law Report (Damien Carrick), as they discuss the intricacies and hurdles in producing an investigative podcast in today’s legal landscape, and how this format can raise public awareness of law enforcement and the justice system.

Hosted by Lynne Haultain, Executive Director of Victoria Law Foundation and former ABC broadcaster.

More Information

Everyday Law Victoria

COURTS OPEN DAY

When?

Saturday 19 May 2018

For a day, Victorian courts open their doors to let you see behind the scenes. It’s a great day out for the family, offering plenty of children’s activities.

From 12pm – 2pm in the County Court forecourt kids can enjoy face painting by Laurie The Face Painter, while also being entertained by The Great Gizmo! A Juggler, Magician, Unicyclist, Clown and Ringmaster.

There will also be a sausage sizzle from 11 am, with all monies raised supporting Berry Street – an independent child and family welfare organisation.

Supreme Court of Victoria

• 10:00 am Old High Court exhibition
• 11:00 am How find you? A juror’s experience
• 1:00 pm Guided walking tours of Melbourne’s historical legal precinct
• 1:30 pm ‘You be the judge’
• 2:00 pm Trial by (social) media: jury duty in the digital age
• 3:30 pm Two Famous Cases

County Court of Victoria

• 10:00am, 11:30 am and 2:00 pm ‘Day in the life of an accused’ tour
• 10:00 am Behind-the-scenes tours of the County Court
• 10:30 am, 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm ‘I Plead Guilty Your Honour’ mock hearing
• 11:00 am Mock Koori Court
• 12:00 pm Parole, you decide
• 1:00 pm 12 Good Citizens: Jury empanelment session
• 1:00 pm Guided walking tour of Melbourne’s historical legal precinct
• 2:30 pm Bailed out: The role of the barrister

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria

• 10:00 am Welcome by the Chief Magistrate
• 10:15 am ‘All Stand’ Magistrates’ Court bail mock hearing
• 11:00 am Koori Court information session
• 11:30 am Drug Court of Victoria
• 12:00 pm Career as a Court Registrar information session
• 12:30 pm Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) information session
• 1:00 pm Guided walking tour of Melbourne’s historical legal precinct
• 1:00 pm Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) information session
• 2:00 pm ‘Walk in her shoes’ tour
• 2:00 pm Road Trauma Support Services Victoria presentation

VCAT

• 11:30 am How VCAT works

Court Network

• 8:45 am Information stall

Children’s Court

• 10:00 am Information stall

CORONERS COURT MOCK TRIAL: ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

What?

Be a witness at the inquest into the accidental – but possibly preventable – death of a Bayside resident, at the Coroners Court of Victoria.

Narrated by RocKwiz and ABC radio’s Brian Nankervis and starring the State Coroner Judge Sara Hinchey and her staff of the Coronial Centre, the mock inquest will also feature guest roles from the folk at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

The Coroners Court is an inquisitorial rather than adversarial court. No-one ends up in jail and future lives are often saved through its recommendations. What goes on there is nothing short of fascinating.

Presented by Coroners Court of Victoria

When?

Monday 14 May 2018, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Where?

Coroners Court of Victoria, 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank

Cost?

Free! Bookings essential.

More Information

Everyday Law Victoria

DEALING WITH CRIMES MOTIVATED BY RACE OR RELIGION

What?

Presenters from Victoria Police, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) and Fitzroy Legal Service will address crimes motivated by race or religion.

They will cover what racial and religious attacks are (physical, verbal and damage to property), the definitions of racial discrimination and racial vilification, and where to go for help.

If you need an interpreter, please advise when booking.

Funded by a grant from Victoria Law Foundation.

Presented by Fitzroy Legal Service, City of Yarra, Neighbourhood Justice Centre, Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and Carringbush Adult Education

When?

Monday 14 May 2018, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Where?

Richmond Town Hall, 333 Bridge Road, Richmond

Cost?

Free

#METOO AND THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE

What?

Talking Justice is a thought-provoking and enlightening series of public conversations that explores diverse perspectives on what we mean by ‘justice’ in Australian society today. Join writers, social commentators and legal practitioners as they tackle some of society’s most wicked problems.

This year’s Talking Justice series opens with a timely conversation about the #MeToo movement. A long battle has been fought for women to feel safe to share their stories of sexual harassment and abuse, where for too long such incidents have been unchecked and perpetrators not held to account. Now as the #MeToo movement gains momentum and more women come forward to share their experiences, some observers suggest that due process is not being properly extended to the accused. Others have argued that the presumption of innocence is a legal standard that does not apply in everyday life and that we should question whether due process is being demanded for reasons of justice or as cover for something less sincere. Are the concerns regarding due process and presumption of innocence valid? How can the rights of the accused be balanced with accountability, change and the need to create a safe environment for women to share their stories?

Social commentator and writer Van Badham is among the speakers at the event.

When?

Thursday 17 May 2018

More Information

Everyday Law Victoria

CONCERTS

What?

Judges and members of the legal profession from Victoria come together to perform two short operettas based on the famous cases of Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co and Donoghue v Stevenson (the snail in the bottle case).

Be entertained and informed as the stories behind these famous cases are retold in humorous songs set to well-known Gilbert & Sullivan tunes, written by New Zealand law lecturer Stephen Todd. Presented by BottledSnail Productions.

When?

• Thursday 17 May 2018, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• Friday 18 May 2018, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• Saturday 19 May 2018, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Where?

Law Library of Victoria, Supreme Court, 210 William Street, Melbourne

Cost?

$30 (full price) and $23 (concession)

More Information

FREE LEGAL ADVICE

Across Victoria

Monday 14 – Sunday 20 May 2018

Attend free legal advice sessions on topics including scams, mediation, copyright, end of life planning, wills and estates.

For a full list of events in Victoria this Law Week Everyday Law.

Victoria Law Foundation is offering grants for Law Week 2018 events. You can apply for a Law Week Grant of up to $3000 (excl. GST). To be eligible, events must be for the community and delivered during Law Week (14–20 May 2018).

About Law Week

Delivered in May each year, Law Week is a festival of events for Victorians that makes learning about the law easy. In 2018 Law Week will run from 14-20 May.

Examples of past Law Week events include information sessions, pop-up legal health clinics, debates, panel discussions, mock trials, guided tours and events with less traditional formats that give learning about the law an entertaining twist.

Learn more about Law Week here. 

About Law Week Grants

Law Week Grants for 2018 opened from Monday 4 December 2017 and will close at COB Friday 2 March 2018.

Before you apply:

• read the grants criteria – this will help you understand what kinds of projects the Foundation wants to fund
• contact the Foundation’s Grants Manager to discuss your project – contact the Foundation before you apply wherever possible

Find out how to apply for a Law Week Grant.

Further Information

The Foundation’s Grants Manager is happy to discuss your idea for a Law Week event and provide feedback on your application for a Law Week Grant.

Grants Manager, Melanie Rygl:

• Phone: (03) 9604 8100; or
• Email Melanie here.

The subject matter of the event was especially timely, as the state’s new voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation sat poised between the two houses of Parliament – it had passed the Legislative Assembly less than a week before, and is due to be debated in the Legislative Council this week.

As emphasised by the forum’s facilitator and Victoria Law Foundation’s Executive Director, Lynne Haultain, the VAD legislation sits at the crossroads of medicine and law, and to accommodate this the night’s panel was made up of a mix of well-credentialed legal and medical professionals.

Representing the medical realm were Steven Amsterdam, a palliative care nurse and author, and Dr Scott King, Clinical Director of Palliative Medicine at Calvary Healthcare Bethlehem. From the legal world were Kathy Wilson, an expert in succession and elder law from Aitken Partners, and Julian Gardner AM, Chair of Mind Australia and former Victorian Public Advocate, who sat on the Ministerial Advisory Panel on Voluntary Assisted Dying.

VAD legislation: Why now?

There were a number of thought-provoking themes that emerged from the night. The first was the question of why this legislation has a chance of success now when assisted dying laws have failed time and again to gain political momentum in Victoria. Julian Gardner put it down to politics – this is the first time assisted dying has been put forward by the government, rather than being proposed in a private member’s bill.

He noted too the persuasiveness of the evidence presented to the Ministerial Advisory Panel:

Existing laws are not being enforced, and mercy killing is not being prosecuted; one person a week commits suicide who might be eligible for VAD; and 1-5% of people suffering from terminal illness can’t be relieved by palliative care.

Another interesting explanation raised was that a generation of Baby Boomers, who tend to value ‘autonomy’ and are used to being in control of their lives, is starting to anticipate end-of-life questions. Having the option to choose VAD, it was argued, can provide a sense of control and comfort, even if the number of people who actually use it is small.

Impact of VAD on healthcare professionals

A good deal of the evening was devoted to the attitude of healthcare professionals in Australia. While support for VAD sits at around 70% of the general population, the level of support is much lower in the medical community.

Haultain teased out the possibility that VAD is in some sort of competition with palliative care. While the panel agreed that the two are not in direct competition, the medical professionals on the panel were concerned that VAD might undermine the work of palliative care specialists. Steven Amsterdam explained that palliative care has a branding problem, in that people in Australia tend to associate it with death, with the palliative care department seen as a place ‘you go to die’. Given we’re a death-averse society, people put off palliative care as long as possible, and Amsterdam raised the concern that VAD might present yet another barrier to getting people into palliative care. Dr King emphasised this point by explaining that palliative care has a much greater acceptance in other parts of the world, such as the UK, and that Australians are very wary by comparison.

Will the vulnerable be protected?

An issue that attracted attention was whether there are sufficient measures in the legislation to protect against coercion of people to end their own lives using the VAD processes. Julian Gardner explained the protections (outlined fully here) and emphasised that taken together, these measures reduce as far as possible the risk of coercion. Kathy Wilson noted that the lack of a definition of coercion in the legislation is a weakness, and that ‘undue influence’ is generally very hard to prove in cases of elder abuse. She noted that:

Doctors need to be aware of the subtle forms that coercion can take when it comes to family members attempting to abuse laws like VAD for personal gain.

Overall, the evening involved an engaging mix of dialogue and education.

Hosting a panel made up of medical and legal professionals allowed for debate on the complexities of an issue that touches on death, autonomy, elder abuse and the repercussions of law reform on both medical professionals and their patients. Opening the discussion up to the general public gave anyone who was interested the opportunity to ask questions and clarify how the proposed laws might impact them and their loved ones.

Victoria Law Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that provides easy-to-understand information about the laws and legal system to Victorians.

More on BucketOrange Magazine

• Legalising Euthanasia Explainer: Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill Hits Parliament

This year with an increased grant budget the foundation is looking to fund projects that will make a greater impact and reach more Victorians.

The foundation will consider diverse legal projects including research, service delivery, development of legal resources or community legal education. Community organisations may also include capacity-building activities to ensure projects have the greatest chance of success.

Before you apply

Read the grants criteria to find out what type of projects the foundation can fund. You can also find out about grants the foundation has awarded in the past.

Further Information

Read more or find out what’s involved in applying for a grant here.

Contact the Grants Manager for advice before submitting your application.

Grants Manager
Melanie Rygl
Telephone: (03) 9604 8100
Email: grants@victorialawfoundation.org.au

In an Australian-first for the legal assistance sector, Moonee Valley Legal Service recently launched FineFixer – a new website that provides personalised legal information to help Victorians understand their legal rights and how to tackle fines.

More than 5 million fines are issued each year in Victoria alone. This, coupled with a lack of understanding of the tools and services available to help manage payments, has led to Victoria Legal Aid and community legal centres being inundated with requests for assistance.

FineFixer has been developed to help Victorians understand their rights and to pay fines using a quick and easy process. The platform not only enables early action that avoids the accumulation of costs and penalties but also frees up valuable time for community legal centres and Legal Aid.

FineFixer was designed by students at RMIT’s Fastrack Innovation Program, which tackles society-level problems using a design-driven approach to innovation. The program brings together outstanding students from diverse programs and backgrounds, with subject matter experts from industry to conceive, test and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

Winning the program’s ‘Most Viable Solution Award’ in 2015, FineFixer gained strong support from the legal sector, with Moonee Valley Legal Service receiving a grant from Victoria Law Foundation to help bring the concept to fruition. PaperGiant – a research-led design and development studio – were responsible for website’s design and development.

Brendan Lacota, Principal Lawyer at Moonee Valley Legal Service, sees much potential for emerging technologies in supporting legal services:

Smart tools like FineFixer are essential for meeting the growing need for legal services. FineFixer offers a free and fast way for people with fines to identify and understand their options, and gives them the tools they need to take action without getting further into debt.”

The Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) has also recognised the importance of FineFixer. Speaking at FineFixer’s launch last week, VCOSS CEO Emma King highlighted its value:

By helping people at the start of the process to know their rights and navigate the bureaucracy, FineFixer will help thousands of Victorians keep their lives – and their finances – on track.”

Further Information

For more information visit FineFixer.

FineFixer received a grant from Victoria Law Foundation. Do you have an idea for a project that will help Victorians to better understand the law like FineFixer has? Applications for Victoria Law Foundation’s 2017-18 General Grants are now open and close on 28 August 2017. Visit Victoria Law Foundation for more information.

Thinking about applying for a Victoria Law Foundation grant? Have you started to get your application together? The Foundation’s 2017/18 General Grants round closes on Monday 28 August.

This year with an increased grant budget, the Foundation is looking to fund projects that will make a greater impact and reach more Victorians.

The Foundation will consider diverse legal projects including research, service delivery, development of legal resources or community legal education. Community organisations may also include capacity-building activities to ensure projects have the greatest chance of success.

There are a number of ways that the Victoria Law Foundation can help you produce the best application and final project. Take advantage of the Foundation’s expertise in plain language, publishing, communications, education and events to help you deliver a successful grant project.

Time is running out.

Contact the Foundation’s grants manager now to discuss your idea:

Grants Manager
Melanie Rygl
Telephone: (03) 9604 8100
Email: grants@victorialawfoundation.org.au
Read more or find out what’s involved in applying for a grant here.

Ms Haultain has a background as a senior executive and is a passionate advocate for access to justice. She is Chair of the Board of Management at the Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture and is a former Commissioner with the Victorian Law Reform Commission. With more than a decade’s experience working inside all three levels of government, she also headed up a Premier’s advisory panel on children’s services.

Ms Haultain will lead the Foundation through the next period, which will include a focus on the recommendations arising from the Victorian Government’s Access to Justice Review.

Ms Haultain will join the foundation at the end of July 2017.

The foundation will consider diverse legal projects including research, service delivery, development of legal resources or community legal education. Community organisations may also include capacity-building activities to ensure projects have the greatest chance of success.

Applications close Monday 28 August 2017.

Further Information

Read more or find out what is involved in applying for one of these grants here.

Joh has led Victoria Law Foundation since 2008, having originally started with the foundation as Grants Manager in 2006. She has driven the foundation’s commitment to improving legal communication and education in Victoria. Joh is moving on to start a business governance consultancy.

The search and recruitment process for the Foundation’s next Executive Director is currently underway.

The vacancy’s advertisement can be viewed online here.

Applications close COB Monday 8 May 2017.