Solution-Focused Justice 2026 Event Replay

Topics include: Welcome to Country, development of solution focused courts, technique and methodology, introduction in family law, development in other jurisdictions, people’s experience of the justice system, solution focused justice measures.

Speakers:

• Anthony McAvoy SC (Wirdi), New South Wales Bar Association
• The Honourable Andrew Bell, Chief Justice of New South Wales
• Honourable Michael Daley, Attorney General of New South Wales & Member of the Legislative Assembly
• The Honourable Justice Dina Yehia, Supreme Court of New South Wales

Discussion includes: Opening remarks, history of the Bugmy Bar Book, launch of the partership with National Legal Aid, purposes of the symposium, need for community involvement to achieve change, experiences in Canada, NSW situation, closing remarks.

Speakers:

• The Honourable Justice Dina Yehia, Supreme Court of New South Wales
• The Honourable Justice Sir Joe Williams, (Ngati Pūkenga) Supreme Court of New Zealand
• The Honourable Justice Kofi N. Barnes, Judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Canada
• Her Honour Magistrate Pauline Spencer, Magistrates Court of Victoria
• Anthony McAvoy SC (Wirdi), New South Wales Bar Association
• Annmarie Lumsden, NLA Chair, CEO Legal Services Commission SA
• Kimberley Hamer, NLA First Nations Advisory Group Chair, Director, Aboriginal Services Legal Aid NSW

Introductions include: Welcome to Country, comments on Welcome to Country processes and connection to Country. Commentts by Rebecca McMahon and Tracey Booth on UTS Law.

Speakers:

• Uncle LLoyd Walker
• Anthony McAvoy SC (Wirdi), New South Wales Bar Association
• Rebecca McMahon, Bugmy Bar Book Co-Chair, Barrister, Forbes Chambers, Adjunct Associate Professor, UNSW
• Tracey Booth, Professor, UTS Law School

Topics include: Giving back language, acknowledging the experience in the room, the District Court of New Zealand, history from the 1800s onwards, Te Ao Mārama, best practices and what has been done.

Speaker:

• His Honour Chief Judge Heemi Taumaunu (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Konohi, Ngāi Tahu), District Court of New Zealand

Discussion includes: Features of solution focussed courts and the Young Adults Court in New Zealand. Strengths and challenges of the Walama List in the District Court of NSW in Sydney. Pacifica Youth Courts. Koori Court. Evaluation of solution focused courts. Measuring success in the drug court.

Facilitator:

• Crystal Triggs, Project Director, Bugmy Bar Book and Adjunct Professor Southern Cross University, Faculty of Business, Law and Arts

Panellists:

• The Honourable Justice Dina Yehia, Supreme Court of New South Wales 
• His Honour Judge John Walker, District Court of New Zealand & Director, Justice Innovation Centre, New Zealand 
• Her Honour Judge Ida Malosi, Principal Youth Court Judge, New Zealand 
• Her Honour Judge Jacquelyn Moran, Principal Family Court Judge, New Zealand 
• His Honour Judge David Sexton, County Court of Victoria 
• Her Honour Magistrate Rose Falla, (Wotjobaluk/Wemba Wemba/Mutti Mutti), Magistrates Court, Koori Court of Victoria

Presentation includes: Introduction to SHARC, a community of people affected by drugs, alcohol and gambling. Angela Maclean and Darren Sims share their personal stories providing valuable insights into the drug court and rehabilitation journey. Learn about SHARC peer services, what SHARC is, and peer mentoring. Darren Sims ends with the “addict down the hole”.

• Angela Maclean, Peer Services Coordinator, Peer Projects, SHARC
• Darren Sims, Senior Peer Mentor, SHARC

Damian Beaufils (Gundungurra), Black Chambers and His Honour, Judge Greg Davis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), District Court of New Zealand and Matariki Court in Kaikohe.

In discussion with: 

• Matua Mokena Peeni (Ngāpuhi) 
• Whaea Huri Peeni (Ngāpuhi) 
• Aunty Barbara O’Neill, Walama list Elder (Dhangatti)

Rebecca McMahon introduces poet and activist Keith Quayle (Barkindji) who recites his poem.

The Honourable Justice Louise Taylor (Kamilaroi), Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in discussion with: 

• Vanessa Edwige (Ngarabal), senior psychologist, Chair of Australian Indigenous Psychologist Association 
• Michael Naera (Te Arawa), project leader in Rotorua for Kia Piki te Ora, the Ministry of Health’s National Maori Suicide Prevention Program

Her Honour Judge Sarah Hopkins, District Court of New South Wales in discussion with: 

• His Honour Judge Tony FitzGerald, District Court of New Zealand and Judge of the New Beginnings Court 
• Izzy Rayson, Tangentyere Council Brown Men’s behaviour change program, Alice Springs, Northern Territory 
• Arrin Hazelbane, (Warai/Kokatha), Director, Aboriginal Practice and Partnerships, Department of Human Services, South Australian Government

Her Honour Judge Sophia Beckett, District Court of New South Wales presents a case study – solution-focused sentencing Parramatta West Referral List. The genesis – Sydney West appeals from Local Court to District Court. How and when it works, along with challenges and observations.

Stacey Levakia Wali (Tolai and Mengen people of East New Britain), A/Director and Programs Officer, Pacific Centre for Judicial Excellence describes Village Courts, their legal foundation, structure, and core functions. Major developments in recent years are outlined along with comments on their effectiveness and limitations.

The Honourable Justice Kofi N. Barnes, Judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Canada asks, “What’s next?”, and introduces Justicetreatment.org.

The Honourable Justice Sir Joe Williams (Ngati Pūkenga, Waitaha and Tapuika), Supreme Court of New Zealand issues a challenge to participants to kick the door down and fully embrace community participation in justice. “Bring the Village into the Court, in accordance with law”. Make the law accountable to the community!

The symposium ends with a song and thanks to participants.