Legal year: opening

On another matter, over the years I have attended many observances of the
opening of the legal year. This year on 30 January I had the pleasure of
attending the International Commission of Jurists (Victoria) community
observance at the County Court. Master of ceremonies was the Honourable Justice
Lex Lasry, president of the ICJ. Speakers included Professor Carolyn Evans from
Melbourne University and Father Frank Brennan SJ, as well as students from
MacRobertson Girls High School.

The observance of the opening of the legal year is a
longstanding tradition, and I thank the organisers of the various observances
for their work. It allows us to reflect on the partnership of the community and
the legal profession in working towards a just society.