InBrief

Brisbane, 24-26 May 2018

What will the court system look like in 2050? Will technological advances merely create the need for new laws or do they present a threat to the rule of law? Does the legal profession still have a future? And if so, what is it? How do “lawyerbots” actually work? And do videolink hearings represent the future of the court system or a breakdown of the division between court and prison?

These are just a few of the questions to be raised at “Forces of Change: Defining Future Justice”, the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration’s next conference, May 24-26, at Brisbane’s Stamford Plaza Hotel.

The conference aims to conceptualise and visualise the shape of future justice and hold an in-depth conversation on the fundamental principles that underpin our concept of justice but may be challenged in a period of significant change and disruption.

The line-up of speakers contributing is an eclectic mix of judges, academics and tech-experts. It includes the Chief Justice of New Zealand, Dame Sian Elias, the High Court’s Justice Michelle Gordon, Justice Helen Winkelmann from NZ’s Court of Appeal and Chief Judge Peter Kidd of the County Court. Other speakers will include Mr Murray Bruce, formerly with IBM’s AI platform “Watson”, CSIRO IP expert Mr Rajiv Cabraal, lawyerbot inventors Mr Athol Birtley and Mr Adrian Cartland, and “blockchain” expert Dr Philippa Ryan, from the University of Technology, Sydney

Beginning with a keynote talk on “the world in the year 2050”, the conference will feature an opening address on the experience of the use of technology in the legal system in England and Wales, by the Right Hon Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. This will be followed by a panel discussion chaired by Radio National’s The Law Report presenter Damien Carrick.

Subsequent sessions include: a hands-on introduction to lawyerbots and AI; a look at the new laws that will be required by new technologies; and a survey of the future mental health needs of judicial officers and court staff. To close, a session on “management of change” will challenge participants to identify their own views. Are you an “early adopter”? Or a “maintain the rager”? Come along and join the conversation.

See the program and register at http://www.futurejustice2018.com/ Early bird discount registration available until March 30