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By ANNIKA SMETHURST
THE ever-increasing volume of legislation and the influence of international law were the two key changes facing Australia’s legal community, according to Victorian Supreme Court Justice Peter Vickery, in Bendigo for the official opening of the legal year this week.
An important date on the legal calendar, the opening of the year allows those in the legal community and the public the opportunity to recognise the role in the law plays in protecting our freedoms.
Following a church service at Sacred Heart Cathedral, representatives from the legal community gathered at the Bendigo Law Courts for the official launch.
Bendigo Law Association president Andrew Pickles and Prosecutor Senior Constable David Somerton both spoke as part of the official opening on behalf on the crown and the defence.
Justice Vickery said the legal landscape in Australia had seen some remarkable developments during the past 50 years.
“The first major development is the ever-increasing volume of legislation or regulation, which governs the conduct and affairs of citizens in a modern democratic society,” he said.
“The second momentous development in our law has been the influence of international law.
“This observance provides an opportunity for the legal profession, the judiciary, all those involved in the administration of justice and the community at large to reflect upon what is important to us about our legal system – our belief in upholding the rule of law and its role in achieving equality before the law in a diverse community.
“I venture to say application of the judicial method in the context of this growing body of positive knowledge and accepted principles will serve us well in meeting the challenges of the century ahead.
“We all have a role to play in this supremely important endeavour.”
