Associate Professor Heather Roberts once told a room full of ANU law students that she never had the opportunity to speak with a judge during her own degree. She shared this at a recent ‘Meet the Judge’ event, where she was joined in conversation by the Honourable Justice Dina Yehia of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Determined to ensure ANU students would have that opportunity, Dr Roberts established the Visiting Judges Program in partnership with the ANU Law School and the National Judicial College of Australia.
Each semester, the program brings a current or retired judge to ANU for a week-long residency. Through seminars, classroom visits and informal discussions, students gain insight into the realities of judicial work and the diverse pathways that lead to the bench. Just as importantly, the program creates space for students to reflect on their own futures in the law.
In Semester 1, 2026, Justice Dina Yehia engaged with hundreds of ANU law students across a rich program of lectures, Q&A sessions and mentoring forums. For students interested in advocacy and access to justice, one of the highlights was learning about her Honour’s work as defence counsel prior to her appointment to the bench. Her reflections on the High Court decision in Bugmy v The Queen were particularly compelling. Having represented Mr Bugmy before the High Court in 2013, Justice Yehia brought her original trial book to a second-year criminal law seminar - an unexpected and memorable addition that brought the case vividly to life.
The week extended beyond the classroom, with events that connected students to the broader legal community. Justice Yehia contributed to the ACT Bar’s Twilight Seminar Series and met with members of the ANU Law Students’ Women in Law Association, sharing insights from her career and engaging in open discussion.
Across both formal sessions and informal conversations, Justice Yehia offered practical advice grounded in her own experience. She emphasised the importance of seeking opportunities beyond the classroom, noting that involvement in volunteering initiatives had been essential to sustaining her own interest in law during her studies. For many students - particularly those at the beginning of their degrees - this advice provides a tangible way to navigate the uncertainty of legal career pathways.
Her Honour also reflected on her time working with the Western Aboriginal Legal Service in regional and remote New South Wales, encouraging students to look beyond major cities when considering their futures. When asked about perceived limitations of rural practice, Justice Yehia’s own career provided a powerful counterpoint. She spoke about the value of connecting meaningfully with communities and the professional and personal growth that can come from that experience.
By design, the Visiting Judges Program also creates space to reflect critically on the role of the judiciary. In a student-led discussion on challenging sentencing decisions, Justice Yehia acknowledged the tensions inherent in the role of a Judge, while highlighting the potential for reform from within. Reflecting on her role in establishing the Walama Circle Sentencing Court, she observed,
“In this job, you get to see what’s not working. Then you need to find a way to change it.”
Students consistently described the opportunity to engage with Justice Yehia as both inspiring and grounding. One student reflected that,
“It was so refreshing to speak with someone so genuinely passionate about advocacy, with such deep knowledge of criminal law and the intricacies of the legal system”.
The Semester 1, 2026 Visiting Judges Program once again demonstrated the value of bringing members of the judiciary into conversation with students. It offers an accessible and engaging window into legal practice and invites students to see themselves as part of its future.
Author: Aisha Collins, ANU Law student