The Visiting Judges Program offers a range of extracurricular events to students, enriching and enhancing the student learning experience. The ANU College of Law welcomes a diverse range of judges, from different jurisdictions around Australia, and age groups, genders, sexualities and ethnic backgrounds providing empathetic guidance from recognised leaders in their field.
Through this program, students have the opportunity to engage and interact with judges and their perspectives on working in the law, enabling students to identify more clearly what judges do, their journeys through the profession, and the life lessons that they have brought to the practice of law and judging. Given the central role of Judges in our legal system, the two-way communication between students and judges is essential to empowering and inspiring a new generation of legal professionals; leaders who will reflect the diversity and talent of modern Australia.
Visiting Fellows and other invited academic and professional visitors play a vital role in the ANU College of Law's vibrant intellectual community, including contributing to research and education, facilitating connections with partner institutions and organisations, and providing opportunities for collaboration with academic staff.
Held each year, the Lionel Murphy Lecture is sponsored by the Lionel Murphy Foundation to honour the contributions to public life of The Hon Lionel Murphy.
Lionel Murphy was a lawyer, politician, Parliamentarian and Judge. He held the office of Commonwealth Attorney-General and was a High Court Justice. He was an advocate for social justice and human rights and as Attorney-General he initiated a range of law reforms including the introduction of the Family Law Act and establishment of the Family Court, freedom of access to government information, abolition of the death penalty and legislation outlawing racial and other discrimination. He also set up the legal aid system and the Law Reform Commission.
The first Memorial lecture was delivered by in the Hon. Justice Michael Kirby AC, CMG in 1987 and has been delivered each subsequent year by a notable Australian.
Given each year in memory of the late ANU Law Professor, Phillipa Weeks, this annual lecture is delivered by national and international experts highlighting key issues in the area of labour law.
Named after the first Professor of Law at the ANU College of Law, Geoffrey Sawer, this annual lecture is presented by noted national and international legal luminaries.
Attracting leading administrative law jurists, commentators and practitioners, the Public Law Weekend is one of Australia’s leading public law gatherings.
Established to recognise the long passion and service to International Law by The Hon Michael Kirby, this lecture series is delivered each year by notable experts and key legal office holders.
