2025 Past Events
The School of Law hosted a stall at the Year 12 Conference, engaging directly with prospective students and showcasing pathways into legal education at Western Sydney University. Staff and student representatives highlighted the School’s strengths in equity, practical learning, and career outcomes.
The Student Legal Service (SLS) hosted a stall during Welcome Week, engaging with over hundreds of students across two days. The stall promoted access to free legal assistance and practical learning opportunities, demonstrating the School of Law’s strong commitment to community engagement and student support.
This event formed part of the School of Law’s Palestine Project, which was created to support students and ensure the University remains a place where academic discussion of difficult issues is possible. Exploring memory and media representation of genocide in comparative contexts, the seminar made an important contribution to ongoing discussion about international justice for Palestine and reflected the School’s research depth and leadership in international law and human rights scholarship.
The Autumn Orientation welcomed commencing students to the School of Law, introducing them to academic staff, student support services, and peer networks. The School’s inclusive culture and commitment to student transition and success was on full display as we prepared students for what was to come in their upcoming course.
Delivered by Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC KC, this keynote address reflected on Australia’s contributions to shaping international law in the post-Cold War period. Drawing on his experience both as an Australian and as an official representative of Australia, including his service as Foreign Minister from 1988–96, Professor Evans explored the role of national leadership in responding to global legal and diplomatic change. Attended by students and staff, the address highlighted the School of Law’s expertise in public and international law and its engagement with global legal issues.
Held at the Commercial Hotel in Parramatta, the Postgraduate Law Dinner celebrated the achievements of the School’s postgraduate cohort. The event strengthened connections among students, staff, and alumni, recognising the diverse professional experience within the postgraduate community.
The School of Law proudly hosted the Finals of the National Schools Debating Competition at our Parramatta City Campus, welcoming around 100 students from across Australia alongside educators, adjudicators, and parents. Hosting this prestigious national event highlighted the School’s outstanding facilities, organisational excellence, and reputation for equity, civic engagement, and youth empowerment.
This seminar featured Professor Chris Sidoti, United Nations Human Rights Commissioner and leading Australian human rights lawyer. Professor Sidoti discussed the UN Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry into the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, demonstrating the School’s leadership in hosting globally significant human rights discussions.
The School of Law’s signature Gala Celebration brought together alumni, staff, students, and the legal profession. Featuring an address by The Hon. Justice Virginia Bell, a panel on the future of the legal profession, and a performance by Indigenous law students, the event launched the 30 Year Scholarship Appeal and showcased the School’s excellence and social impact.
This event celebrated the launch of Professor Rehan Abeyratne’s book, published by Oxford University Press. The launch highlighted the School of Law’s strength in constitutional law, human rights, and socially impactful scholarship.
The School of Law hosted a seminar on Constitutional Change, presented by Vice Chancellor, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO. Professor Williams delivered an engaging presentation to Government and Public Law students, exploring important issues in constitutional reform, including the Voice Referendum and its outcome. The session encouraged critical thinking and highlighted the broader social and cultural impacts of constitutional change. We thank Professor Williams for generously sharing his deep expertise and inspiring our future lawyers.
Co-hosted by the School of Law and Seven Garfield Barwick Chambers, the ‘What’s Happening in Criminal Law’ CPD Conference brought together leading voices in the legal profession to share insights on critical issues shaping criminal law practice today. Speakers included The Hon Justice Lincoln Crowley, Michelle England SC, The Hon John Hatzistergos AM, The Hon Justice Paul McGuire, The Hon Magistrate Glenn Walsh, Richard Wilson SC, Patrick Griffin SC, and The Hon Geoffrey Bellew SC. The event provided an outstanding day of learning and professional connection as part of the School’s 30-year anniversary celebrations and ongoing Scholarship Appeal, with proceeds supporting law students through the Indigenous Law Scholarship and the Hon Brian Sully AM QC Memorial Scholarship.
The WSLSA Mooting Awards celebrated student excellence in advocacy and recognised the staff who support mooting activities. The strength of the WSLSA’s student leadership reconfirms how important students and student bodies are to the School of Law and how they contribute to the School’s mooting culture.
Held in the Banco Court of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, the inaugural Sir James Martin Criminal Law Moot showcased an extraordinary display of oral advocacy by law students from Western Sydney University School of Law and the University of Sydney Law School. The competition was presided over by The Hon. Chief Justice Andrew Bell, joined by Justice Natalie Adams and Justice Julia Lonergan of the NSW Supreme Court, with family, friends, colleagues, and eminent lawyers in attendance. Followed by a reception generously sponsored by Mistri Fallahi Lawyers, the event firmly established a prestigious new tradition for the School of Law.
