Context in Law, A Digression: Neuroscience, Text, Context and Purpose

The Succession and Protective Law Committee are welcoming Justice Lindsay of the Supreme Court of NSW, Kevin Connor SC of Maurice Byers Chambers and Dr Hayley Bennett of New Chambers to discuss recent work of neuroscientists on the human brain on Wednesday, 19 April 2023 from 5.00pm.

The primary object of Justice Lindsay’s presentation will be to invite attention to recent work by neuroscientists on the workings of the human brain, and recognition by medically and neuroscience qualified members of the legal profession in NSW (as well as significant others) that a better understanding of the brain may constructively inform the process of legal reasoning and the law itself.

There are two recently published papers (one by Chief Justice James Allsop of the Federal Court of Australia, as he then was, and the other by Dr Hayley Bennett of the NSW Bar), and a selection of texts, to which reference will be made. In combination, they open a door to an engagement between neuroscience, law and legal practice.

Having drawn the published papers to attention, this presentation will invite consideration of the importance of paying due attention to the text, context and purpose of the law in all court proceedings including, notably, those involving a person who is, by reason of incapacity or death, unable to manage his or her own affairs.

The implications of this perspective will be discussed in relation to the practice of the profession, and in particular, in relation to protective, probate and family provision proceedings.

Kevin Conner SC (with medical qualifications) and Hayley Bennett (with neuroscience qualifications) will provide additional commentary.

To register for this CPD, please click here. This CPD will be run by registration only. Numbers are limited.