Law Week 2010

Melbourne’s major courts will open their doors to the public on Saturday 22 May as part of Law Week celebrations. The Supreme, County, Magistrates’ and Children’s Courts – located in the general precinct of Lonsdale and William Streets – will each welcome the public with a program of tours and talks, from 9.30am to 1pm. Courts Open Day will offer the public a unique opportunity to tour court dungeons, explore courtrooms, meet with judges and court staff, and participate in a range of talks and presentations. Courts Open Day is one of the most popular and highly anticipated events in the crowded Law Week calendar. Law Week – an annual, community-focused initiative – brings law to life, highlighting the extraordinary diversity of the legal sector and offering the public fun and informative ways to engage with their law and justice system. Now a near-national event, Law Week in Victoria – 17 to 23 May – is coordinated by Victoria Law Foundation, a not-for-profit, independent statutory body that delivers programs to help Victorians understand the law and legal system. The Foundation works with over 100 partner organisations to present seminars, exhibitions,lectures, Q&A sessions, court tours and a host of other public events and displays designed to provide legal information at little or no cost. Highlights of Law Week 2010 include: PILCH Walk for Justice – Monday 17 May The opening event of Law Week 2010. An early morning walk for PILCH lawyers and the public, raising funds for PILCH public interest schemes. Monash Great Law Week Debate – Wednesday 19 May Monash alumni go head to head with current Monash Law students, debating the highly topical subject, “Criminals don’t deserve the same rights as everyone else.” Boston Legal or Ally McBeal? Mock criminal – Thursday 20 May Presented by the Law Institute of Victoria and the Victorian Bar, this mock trial in the Supreme Court’s magnificent Banco Court will offer an insight – a realistic insight – into what happens during a criminal trial. Michael Kirby documentary launch – Friday 21 May This preview of a new documentary on former High Court Justice Michael Kirby explores the personal, moral and spiritual convictions of one of Australia’s greatest legal minds. Courts Open Day – Saturday 22 May The Supreme, County, Magistrates’ and Children’s Courts open their doors to the general public, during this free and highly popular day of tours and talks. A full program of Law Week events is available at: www.victorialawfoundation.org.au