Annual Frank Walker Lecture 2020 to be held online Wednesday 28 October 2020 6pm - 7.30pm

24/09/2020

You are invited to the Annual Frank Walker Lecture 2020, featuring an address by The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG on the topic "Redressing Miscarriages of Justice: Safety Nets, Second Appeals and an Unsafe Convictions Commission".

In this lecture the speaker will address improving the response to miscarriages of justice. Recent decisions of the High Court of Australia, including in Pell v The Queen [2020] HCA 12; (2020) 94 ALJR 394, illustrate that the continuing operation of judicial appeal under the template of the Criminal Appeal Act provides relief for some alleged miscarriages. However, this relief serves only a small fraction of alleged cases. Other instances demonstrate a need for a later facility of judicial appeal not dependent on permission of Executive Government. In the United Kingdom, New Zealand and now Canada, a different avenue of redress has been provided by creation of a Criminal Cases Review Commission. Noting the commitment of Frank Walker to protection of prisoners’ rights, the speaker urges the need for a further appeal right and consideration of a more effective commission to supplement judicial protection.

Join the NSW Society of Labor Lawyers as we celebrate the life and times of the late Attorney-General the Hon Frank Walker QC, MP.

When: 28 October 2020

Time: 6-7:30pm

Where: Online via Zoom (link sent to registrants)

Cost: Free

RSVP: Online at https://www.nswlaborlawyers.com/fw20

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