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Human Rights and the Criminal Justice System CPD

Human Rights and the Criminal Justice System is our flagship fundraising event, and a unique CPD experience. At this year’s event, the key note address was delivered by the Honourable Justice Paul Freeburn followed by six presentations by other insightful speakers. Their presentations addressed the most up-to-date and pressing human rights issues facing people involved in the criminal justice system.

The event was held at Allens Linklaters on 14 June 2024, with all funds raised supporting the work of PLS. 

The Honourable Justice Paul Freeburn delivered the keynote address, followed by six CPD presentations from:

  • Mary Burgess – Unfit for Trial Means Unfit for Prison
  • Matt Black – Supervision Orders, Judicial Review and Human Rights
  • Specialist Mental Health Intellectual Disability Service – Understanding Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
  • Professor Tamara Walsh  – Deaths In and After Custody
  • Walter Sofronoff KC – Why Do We Punish?
  • Former PLS client – Lived experience of Imprisonment in Queensland

Sessions included:

  • Anna Cappellano – The changing landscape of DFV law
  • Dr Danielle Harris – Applying a human rights approach to the DPSOA
  • Laura Reece – The emerging application of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) to parole matters
  • Damien Atkinson OAM KC – Youth justice: a litmus test for the efficacy of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld)
  • QPASTT – Trauma informed work with people from refugee backgrounds
  • Former PLS client – Lived experience of prison in Queensland

Sessions included:

  1. ‘Parole Amendments in Queensland’ – Zoë Brereton, Barrister, 8 Petrie Terrace Chambers
  2. ‘Human Rights in Places of Detention: Recent Decisions by Australian Courts’ – Kylie Evans, Barrister, Castan Chambers
  3. ‘Human Rights Advocacy Panel’ – Panel discussion between Bridget Burton, Adam Moschella, Natalie McIntosh and Rachel Smith
  4. ‘Fighting the Death Penalty from Australia’ – Stephen Keim SC, Barrister, Higgins Chambers
  5. ‘Cognitive Impairment in the Criminal Justice System’ – Jennifer Cullen and Adam Schickerling, SYNAPSE
  6. ‘Lived Experience of the Criminal Justice System’ – Lex Wotton, with an introduction by Stewart Levitt 

Sessions included: 

  1. ‘Human Rights and Judicial Review’ – Sam Lane, Barrister, Higgins Chambers
  2. ‘Human Rights and Parole’ – Paula Morreau, Barrister, 8 Petrie Terrace Chambers
  3. ‘Visa Cancellations and Sentencing’ – Victoria Lenton, Principal Lawyer at Lenton Migration
  4. ‘What is Solitary Confinement and How Can It Impact Sentencing?’ – Emily Lewsey, Barrister, Halsbury Chambers and Helen Blaber, Director/Principal Solicitor at PLS
  5. ‘Impaired Decision Making in the Criminal Justice System’ – Catherine Moynihan, Official Solicitor & Director of Legal Services/Investigations at the Office of the Public Guardian
  6. ‘Communication Tips for Indigenous Clients’ – His Honour Judge Nathan Jarro, District Court of Queensland


PLS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded in Australia.

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