News & Events

Melbourne, 13 July 2020: The Law Institute of Victoria and the Victorian Bar welcome the Victorian Government’s announcement of a review of sexual harassment prevention, support, enforcement and education in the state’s courts and tribunal and across the profession.

In a joint statement today, the President of the Victorian Bar, Wendy Harris QC, and the President of the Law Institute of Victoria, Sam Pandya, expressed their support of the Government’s initiative and confidence that the review, to be headed by Dr Helen Szoke AO, would provide the opportunity for real change in the culture and practices across the legal sector.

In a joint statement, the Heads of Jurisdiction of Australia’s courts and tribunals committed to making sure that our courts and tribunals are safe and respectful workplaces. You can read the statement here.

In a joint statement, the Heads of Jurisdiction of Victoria’s courts and tribunal committed to making sure that our courts and tribunal are safe, healthy and respectful workplaces. You can read the statement here.

In the latest “In Conversation” webinar on Wednesday 10 June 2020, Her Honour Judge Lisa Hannan, Chief Magistrate of Victoria, and Daniel Gurvich QC, Barrister and Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, talked about how the Magistrates’ Court is tackling the impact of COVID-19. When the pandemic struck, Her Honour’s key priority was to ensure the Court would not cease operations. Therefore, the Court relisted some 60,000 cases. The Chief Magistrate acknowledged the cooperation and flexibility of members of the Bar, solicitors and members of the Law Institute of Victoria, staff at Court Services Victoria, Victoria Legal Aid, the Victoria Police and prosecutors.