Victorian legal and community organisations will celebrate the launch of Law Week 2019 tonight before busily preparing to help Victorians learn about the law during the annual festival of events, which runs from 13 – 19 May.
Victoria Law Foundation Executive Director Lynne Haultain said Law Week is a celebration of the law that offers Victorians the opportunity to connect with our legal institutions and learn the inner workings of our justice system.
'From the law on pets to parliament, the sheer breadth of Law Week events – a record 270 on an extraordinary array of topics – shows the impact the law has on all our lives, and we invite Victorians to "Unlock Your Law" right across the state from 13 to 19 May,' said Ms Haultain.
'There is so much to choose from when it comes to finding out about the law: tours, talks, debates, theatrical events, musical performance and much more as part of Law Week – and most events are free.'
Attorney-General the Honourable Jill Hennessy MP, who will attend the launch, said: 'I congratulate the Victoria Law Foundation, and its event partners, on a truly outstanding job in organising Law Week 2019.'
'This year, Law Week is bigger and better than ever before, with events throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria.'
'By engaging the community in the law, Law Week promotes access to justice and public confidence in the legal system.'
Law Week event highlights
· Change Your ID Day: Find out how transgender and gender diverse people can get assistance to overcome the unfair hurdles they face when it comes to changing their driver's license, passport and other documents
· Animal rights (three events): Have dinner with internationally acclaimed philosopher and animal rights champion Peter Singer; attend the launch of a new report on animal cruelty sentencing; and hear about a campaign to make illegal puppy farmers (and other unscrupulous animal sellers) accountable for their actions
· Stalking, Trolling and Cyberbullying: three leading Australian authors talk about their work in this field and the personal toll it takes (Ginger Gorman Troll Hunting; Rachel Cassidy Stalked; and Emma A Jane Misogyny Online)
· Courts Open Day: Visit historic and modern courts; participate in mock trials; meet judges; take behind-the-scenes tours and more while children enjoy face-painting, clowns and jugglers
· Parliament Open Day: See where our laws are made, discover more about our legal system, appreciate the stunning architecture and explore areas that are normally off limits to the general public
· Colourful Characters, Crime and Consequence – Law on the Small Screen: attend the live recording of Victoria Law Foundation's latest podcast where experts talk about writing crime for television and the public's insatiable appetite for true crime, murder mysteries, police procedurals, sexy stories and more, more, more
· Attend free legal information sessions and events on topics including domestic violence, combustible cladding, end of life planning, wills and estates, seniors' rights, crime, fines, family law, and young people
· Festival Hub at Federation Square: the place to find out what's on during Law Week
Law Week is organised by Victoria Law Foundation. See the full program of mainly free events at www.lawweek.net.au. Law Week logos and images, including photos of Executive Director Lynne Haultain can be found here.
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