Events and engagements

Our Deputy Director, Dr Felicity Bell, will be on the panel for this year's Minds Count Lecture with the keynote presented by The Hon. Chief Justice Peter Quinlan, Supreme Court of Western Australia. The 2026 Minds Count Lecture will be held in-person at the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney and televised via closed web-cast on Thursday 6 August 2026, starting at 5:30pm. This year's keynote, titled "What the Machine Doesn't Know: Humanity and Artificial Intelligence" will be delivered by The Honorable Chief Justice Peter Quinlan of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Chief Justice Peter Quinlan will also join Michael Tooma, Dr Felicity Bell and Dr Michelle Sharpe for a Q&A panel session following the keynote moderated by Minds Count Board Member, David Field.

The legal landscape is evolving. Lawyers today are expected to do more than provide legal advice. They are expected to lead. Leadership for Lawyers is a two-day executive course designed for legal professionals stepping into, or already in, leadership roles. Whether you work in a law firm, an in-house legal team, the public sector or a regulatory environment, this practical, research-based course gives you the tools and insight to lead effectively in complex and fast-changing workplaces. Led by experienced facilitators and legal professionals, the program blends proven leadership frameworks with honest discussions and peer learning. It provides real-world insight into the challenges and opportunities of legal leadership today.

As legal practice and adjudication face rapid change through AI, legal technology, institutional instability, access to justice challenges, transnational practice, and growing commercial pressures, the profession's core values of integrity, independence, and accountability are increasingly tested. ILEC XI invites proposals exploring how lawyers and judges can uphold these values while responding to transformation. We welcome theoretical, empirical, and comparative perspectives on the ethical, regulatory, and societal challenges shaping the future of legal practice and judging.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and everyday life, delivering significant benefits while raising complex ethical, governance, and liability challenges. As AI systems increasingly influence how information is processed and decisions are made, there is a growing need for effective regulatory frameworks that promote responsible, fair, and trustworthy innovation. This two-day conference brings together academics and industry experts to examine how governance and liability regimes can shape the development and deployment of AI. Discussions will explore global and national approaches to regulation, accountability, and remedies when AI systems cause harm, with a focus on ensuring AI technologies align with human values and serve the public interest.