Tasmanians are being encouraged to find out more about our legal system and the important role it plays in their lives by participating in Law Week Tasmania 2024, which is being held between 20 and 26 May 2024.
Law Week is an annual event held in May each year across Australian jurisdictions and aims to make learning about the law easier and help the community to understand their rights, find answers to their questions, know what help is available and how the legal system works.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Guy Barnett, said that the program of Law Week is designed to raise awareness within the Tasmanian community of the role of the legal profession and the law in providing access to justice in Tasmania.
"Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future we want to see Tasmania continue to thrive guided by the stewardship of our legal system," the Attorney-General said.
"Tasmania has a rich legal history, with our great State having just recently celebrated the 200-year anniversary of the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
"It is a testament to our thriving democracy and legal system – and I encourage all Tasmanians to get involved in Law Week Tasmania 2024.
"Today, I was honoured to host the reception at Tasmania's Parliament house, held to celebrate the achievement of Tasmania's justice system and our legal community.
"At this reception, I was able to pay tribute to 50 years of Legal Aid - a highly respected, necessary and celebrated institution in Tasmania's legal system."
Some of the highlights of the 2024 program include:
- Bicentennial events at the Supreme Court of Tasmania, including walking tours and Sentencing workshops;
- Seminars across Tasmania organised by the Public Trustee, in conjunction with Palliative Care Tasmania and the Office of the Public Guardian to learn how to protect and make your financial, legal and health wishes are secure;
- Meeting Zoey, and learning about the Court Dog Therapy program at the Hobart registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia;
- Meeting a Tasmanian Legal Aid lawyer in a meet and greet in Queenstown; and
- A series of events organised by Women's Legal Service Tasmania, in Launceston, including learning about Modern Slavery and others on mental health and family law.
The full program of activities and available podcasts for Law Week is available from lawweektas.com.au.
