What does the Lord require of you? But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
   
 
 

 
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The Inaugural Australasian Christian Legal Convention

On February 1st-4th approximately 125 Christian Lawyers assembled to ask "What does the Lord require?".  Held at Ormond College, Victoria, Lawyers came from New Zealand, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Papua New Guinea and two from the United Kingdom.

Featuring over twenty speakers and seminar leaders the weekend was a great success.  Over the coming months we hope to post to this site copies of many of the papers that were prepared and delivered at the Convention together with an analysis of the feedback forms that participants submitted.

 

Papers posted to date are:

Opening Address by Hon Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE, formerly Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia.

Some thoughts on the place of law and lawyers in the new millennium by Chief Justice Paul de Jersey AC, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Queensland.

Justice for Indigenous People - reflections on the principles that shape our personal response. by Paul Smith, Deputy President, Land & Resources Tribunal Queensland.

A Christian Reflection on Commercial Law Firm Practice by Mark Sneddon, Partner, Clayton Utz, formerly Associate Professor of Law, University of Melbourne.

What does the Lord require of Christian Lawmakers?  by Kevin Andrews MP, Federal members for Menzies, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

A Christian Approach to Conflict Resolution by Judge F.W.M. (Fred) McElrea, Judge of the District Court of New Zealand.

Bible Studies prepared by Revd Canon Dr James McPherson, Director of Ministry to the Legal Profession, Parish Church of St James, King Street, Sydney

Christianity and Law Reform: A Historical Perspective with special reference to the Criminal Law by the Hon Justice Adams, Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Peacemakers and troublemakers - an awkward balance for citizens, lawyers and Christians by Professor John Wade Director, Dispute Resolution Centre School of Law, Bond University.

What does the Lord require of us - child sexual abuse in the Church by Professor Patrick Parkinson, School of Law, University of Sydney

What's happening in the US - where to from here?  by Elenne Ford, Barrister, Queensland  

 

 

  
One of the purposes of Conventions of this kind is to allow the Holy Spirit in our midst to inspire us to a fuller Christian life.  It is a life which can give joy and satisfaction in our professional endeavours, in which we can find comfort and strength in its trials and courage to speak when there is an occasion where speech can be beneficial to our fellows.

The Hon Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE
Opening Address

   
The concept of justice for indigenous people is so multifaceted and huge that many of us could be forgiven for giving up as it is just too hard.  Alternatively, others may leave the issue to politicians or other leaders to work out.  Either of these responses however misses the real point.  At the end of the day it is how we respond as individuals to the circumstances we find ourselves in which shapes what occurs around us.

Deputy President Paul Smith, Land & Resources Tribunal Queensland