Locking up kids isn't tough.
It just creates more adult criminals
Opinion piece by Law Council of Australia President, Juliana Warner, first published in The Canberra Times, 10 May 2025.
Jurisdictions around the country are proving how tough they are by locking up children. In at least one state, a 10-year-old convicted of a serious crime could now face life in prison.
I can’t accept that as a society we have reached a point where we don’t believe we even need to make an effort to rehabilitate a child and help them reach their full potential.
Worse, that we are failing to grapple with our responsibility to step in early and protect children who we can identify as facing the risk factors that make them more susceptible to committing a crime.
Evidence shows that youth crime is linked to trauma and disadvantage – poverty, poor health, lower education and higher support needs. Many children involved are themselves victims of crime and neglect. First Nations children, children from low-income families, children in out of home care and children with disability are disproportionately affected by punitive responses.
That is not to say children should be able to run amok or face no consequences. Children can and do engage in behaviour that can have significant and harmful effects on their victims.
Read the full opinion piece on the Law Council website.
Never been more important time to defend the rule of law
The Law Council of Australia welcomes the swearing in of new and returning Federal Ministers and looks forward to continuing its positive working relationships with members across the 48th Parliament.
“In particular, the Law Council is looking forward to working with the newly appointed Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP and we congratulate her on that appointment,” Law Council of Australia President, Juliana Warner said.
Read the full media release on the Law Council website.
Law Council provides profession with guidance on stamping out sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is reprehensible, and the Law Council of Australia is committed to helping protect every member of the legal profession and to eliminate these behaviours from all workplaces.
“The Law Council of Australia takes its role as a leader of the legal profession very seriously, and believes it has a vital part to play in stamping out sexual harassment and ensuring effective responses,” Law Council of Australia President, Juliana Warner said.
As part of its National Action Plan to Reduce Sexual Harassment in the Australian Legal Profession, in 2021, the Law Council developed a National Model Framework Addressing Sexual Harassment for the Australian Legal Profession.
Read the full media release on the Law Council website.
Artificial intelligence and the legal profession portal
The Law Council has published an online portal on artificial intelligence (AI) and the legal profession.
The portal, informed by input and guidance from Constituent Bodies and the Law Council’s Futures Committee, is designed to provide a centralised source of information to support legal professionals in understanding and responding to the opportunities, limitations, and risks presented by AI, including Generative AI.
The portal links to a variety of resources, initiatives, and tools created by the Law Council’s Constituent Bodies and other organisations, and will be updated periodically to reflect emerging issues and new materials.
Please contact mail@lawcouncil.au if you are aware of a helpful resource relating to AI and the legal profession that should be considered for inclusion in the portal.
International Bar Association 50:50 by 2030 Project – Gender Equality Project survey
The International Bar Association (IBA) has recently launched Phase 2 of its project ‘50:50 by 2030: A longitudinal study into gender disparity in law’. The Project, which is a first-of-its-kind 9-year global study, seeks to identify successful measures and strategies and provide a blueprint for legal professions around the world to achieve gender parity at senior levels of the profession by 2030.
In Phase 1 of the project, the IBA is undertaking a comparative study of 16 jurisdictions, including Australia, to examine the number of female lawyers in senior legal positions in the sectors of private practice (law firms and barristers chambers), corporate in-house, government legal departments and the judiciary. The IBA has published 12 country reports to date, with its report on Australia to be released later this year.
Phase 2 of the Project seeks to gather insights into women’s experiences in law across all sectors – including the judiciary – in all countries and of all ages, with the aim of better understanding the challenges, opportunities, and to identify what is working and what needs improvement.
The Phase 2 survey takes 5 minutes to complete and is anonymous.
To participate in the IBA’s survey, please scan the QR code below or click through to the survey webpage here.
LCA Submissions
Recently published Law Council Submissions.
- Review of the Future Acts Regime: Issues Paper, Australian Law Reform Commission.
Section Submissions
Recently published Section Submissions.
- Draft merger process guidelines, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, (Business Law Section).
- Draft merger assessment guidelines, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, (Business Law Section).
- Mergers reform—notification thresholds instrument—exposure draft, Treasury, (Business Law Section).
- Discussion Paper – Australia’s evolving capital markets, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, (Business Law Section).
Inquiries and consultations
As of 14 May 2025.
- Statutory Review of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022, Department of Finance.
- Review of Australia’s espionage, foreign interference, sabotage and theft of trade secrets offences (Division 82 and Part 5.2 Criminal Code Act 1995), Independent National Security Legislation Monitor.
- Improving access to affordable and quality financial advice, Treasury.
- IP First Response, IP Australia.
- CP 383 Reportable situations and internal dispute resolution data publication, Australian Securities & Investments Commission.
- Public consultation on template constitutions for charitable CLGs, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
- Governance Review - Discussion Paper, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
- AI use in the Federal Court - Preliminary inquiry on the potential development of Guidelines / Practice Note, Federal Court of Australia.
- Consultation on proposed revisions to the Accreditation Standards for Australian Law Courses, Legal Services Council.
- Southeast Asia Free Trade Agreement modernisation review, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
News and Media
Media releases/statement
Key media articles:
- Parties respond to LCA priorities, QLS Proctor, 2 May 2025.
- Law Council lauds passage of UN Human Rights Council resolution to protect older people, Australasian Lawyer, 7 May 2025.
- It's a crime to keep locking up our kids, Canberra Times, 10 May 2025.
Awards
The 2025 round for nominations is still open for the Mahla Pearlman Award for the Australian Young Environmental Lawyer of the Year.
The Mahla Pearlman Award for the Australian Young Environmental Lawyer of the Year is awarded to a young lawyer who has made a significant contribution to environmental law. Each recipient is recognised not only for their contribution to the practice of environmental law but also for their contribution to the legal and wider community.
The Award is named in honour of the former Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales, and former President of the Law Council of Australia, the late honourable Mahla Pearlman AO.
Nominations close Friday, 23 May 2025. For more information about the award or to submit a nomination, visit the Law Council website.
Events
The Federal Dispute Resolution Section invites you to attend the first Hot Topics in Commonwealth Compensation seminar for 2025 on Friday, 23 May 2025, in Melbourne.
Chaired by Senior Member, Geoff McCarthy, Workers Compensation List Leader from the Administrative Review Tribunal this is a must-attend event for those interested in compensation matters under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) and matters before the Administrative Review Tribunal in the workers compensation area. Do not miss this opportunity to stay informed and connected with others in an educational and collegiate setting.
Registrations are still open and close Wednesday, 21 May 2025.
Learn more about the seminar on the event website.
The Legal Practice Section's Australian Consumer Law Committee is hosting another exciting ‘Consumer Rights Forum’ in person in Adelaide and by webinar.
The forum will feature a keynote address from Simone Constant, ASIC Commissioner, providing valuable insights into the governance and responsibilities of trustees in managing Australia’s superannuation assets. Following the keynote, a panel discussion moderated by a committee member will delve deeper into the challenges and expectations facing trustees today.
Registrations are open and close Thursday, 22 May 2025.
Learn more about the forum on the event website.
The International Law Section invites you to attend the fourth lecture as part of the ILS International Law and Practice Course 2025. Be inspired by Chris Sidoti as he shares his expertise on the United Nations' Investigative Human Rights Mechanisms.
Over the past 20 years, the United Nations human rights system has developed independent investigative mechanisms as a means of addressing the most serious human rights situations. The Human Rights Council currently has 11 of these mechanisms. The mechanisms investigate, undertake legal analysis, form conclusions and make recommendations. Chris Sidoti is currently a commissioner on one mechanism, dealing with Israel and Palestine. He has also served on another, on Myanmar. He will speak about the nature and work of the mechanisms and their contributions as part of the international human rights system.
Registration includes International Law Section Membership for 2025/2026. Learn more about the ILS membership on the Law Council's membership page.
The 13th Mahla Pearlman Oration will be co-hosted by the Legal Practice Section of the Law Council of Australia and the Environment and Planning Law Association New South Wales on 19 June 2025 in Sydney, both in-person and online.
The Section is delighted to announce that the Honourable Justice Kristen Walker of the Victorian Court of Appeal, will be this year’s featured speaker and will present on the topic of "Standing."
The event is free; however, registration is required. Registrations close 16 June 2025.
Following the Oration, there will be a dinner with tickets priced at $120.00 per person.
Learn more about the Oration on the event website.
The Family Law Section invites you to Adelaide for the next instalment in our Family Law Intensive Series for 2025.
The session program caters to family lawyers at all stages in their careers, with content ranging from death and personal injury, to developing strategies for practitioners to better handle matters involving domestic and family violence, to effectively drafting Affidavits and presenting evidence in a compelling and constructive manner.
The Intensive will open and close with the ‘Latest and Greatest’ sessions; an analysis of the leading family law cases of the last 12 months, presented by the Hon Justice Altobelli AM of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Hon Justice O’Brien of the Family Court of Western Australia.
In addition to obtaining 5 CPD points, there will be great networking opportunities for all attendees throughout the course of the day, with morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and post-Intensive drinks included with registration.
For more information about fees and inclusions, visit the FLS event page.
The 9th National Access to Justice and Pro Bono Conference is coming to Melbourne on 29–31 October 2025. The Law Council of Australia, Law Institute of Victoria and the Australian Pro Bono Centre will unite to deliver the latest perspectives and ideas on access to justice and pro bono matters to support society’s most vulnerable. Enjoy insightful discussions and networking with industry leaders.
Registrations are open and close Friday, 24 October 2025.
Learn more about the conference here.
LAWASIA warmly invites members and legal professionals to participate in the 9th LAWASIA Family Law & Children’s Rights Conference, taking place in the beautiful island of Penang, Malaysia, from Thursday, 12 June to Saturday, 14 June 2025.
The conference will be hosted at the Ascott Gurney Penang.
This two and half-day event presents a unique opportunity for comprehensive discussions on pressing and emerging issues in family law. Key topics will include Mental Health Awareness and Challenges Facing Family Lawyers, Same-Sex Marriages, Appropriate Dispute Resolution, Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Amplifying the Voice of the Child, Domestic Violence and Harassment, and much more.
LAWASIA and the Vietnam Bar Federation are proud to present the 38th LAWASIA Conference 2025 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
This edition of the LAWASIA Conference will explore the theme “Transacting in the Asia-Pacific – Legal, Cultural and Environmental Challenges,” by delving into the complex interplay between law, commerce, tradition, and sustainability. Participants can expect in-depth discussions on regional trade and investment, cross-jurisdictional legal frameworks, environmental governance, technological innovation, and the evolving role of cultural norms in commercial dealings.
The conference will be held from 11—13 October 2025.
Register before 1 August 2025 to take advantage of our special early-bird rates.
For more information, visit the conference website.
