Welcome to the RSVP portal for the following event:
Solution Focused Justice - A Cross Jurisdictional Symposium
Pre-Registration is essential for each session
Friday 20th & Saturday 21st February 2026
In Person or Online
On the 20th and 21st of February 2026, the Bugmy Bar Book, the NSW Bar Association, Te Kura Kaiwhakawā (New Zealand Institute of Judicial Studies), and the University of Technology Sydney will host a symposium on solution focused courts. The event is supported by the NSW Judicial Commission and the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration.
Solution-focused courts (sometimes referred to as specialist or problem-solving courts) are generally specialised court programs designed to address the root causes of why the person before the court has committed a criminal offence, for example, by identifying and focusing on supporting the person’s mental health, substance dependence or experience of family violence. Solution focused justice can also be applied to mainstream courts to enhance the courts responsiveness to issues underlying crime and improve the quality of the justice process.
This symposium will showcase the way in which solution focused justice is operating in Australia and New Zealand, highlight examples of best practice and foster connections between judicial officers, legal professionals, academics, students, and community organisations committed to trauma-informed, culturally safe and solution-focused justice.
Legal practitioners may be entitled to claim CPD points for attendance.
Event Schedule
Day 1: Friday, 20 February 2026
Time: 4:30pm – 7:15pm
Presentation: 4:45pm - 6:45pm
Drinks & Networking: 6:45pm - 7:15pm
Location: Banco Court, Supreme Court of NSW
Includes: The Hon A S Bell, Chief Justice of NSW will open the event followed by a discussion with the Hon Sir Joe Williams KNZM, Tony McAvoy SC and Magistrate Pauline Spencer, facilitated by the Hon Justice Yehia. Drinks and light refreshments to follow.
Day 2: Saturday, 21 February 2026
Time: 8:30am-5:20pm
Location: Dr Chan Chak Wing Building, University of Technology Sydney
Includes: Presentations and panel discussions as outlined in our program here.
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.
Online Attendance - Free with Registration
Online access to the symposium is complimentary. We encourage courts, legal services and or organisations to register employees and stakeholders for online access to enable conversations in your local community.
In-Person Attendance - Tiered Registration Fees Apply
A registration fee applies for in-person attendance to help cover the costs of hosting the symposium.
Tier 1 - Members of the judiciary, private legal practitioners (5+PQE), academics, senior/executive directors, managers and administrators (private and government organisations)
- Friday: $80 | Saturday: $200 | Both Days: $250
Tier 2 - Private legal practitioners (1-4 PQE), Solicitors from ALS, CLC's, Legal Aid, prosecution services and other government agencies
- Friday: $50 | Saturday: $120 | Both Days: $150
Tier 3 - Students/ Research Candidates/ Community Organisations/ Non-lawyers
- Friday: $25 | Saturday: $60 | Both Days: $70
Equity Positions and Financial Support
If you fall into any of the above categories and are experiencing financial hardship, or are not in paid employment, please contact the NSW Bar Association at dppa@nswbar.asn.au to submit a request for complimentary registration.
First Nation Support
If you are a First Nations lawyer or student who would like to attend free of charge, please contact us dppa@nswbar.asn.au to arrange registration. Free registration will be provided subject to eligibility.
New Zealand Attendees
All participants from New Zealand are not required to make payment. Please proceed with registration and select the NZ option.
Registration & Contact
This symposium is registration-only and places are limited.
For registration queries, please email: dppa@nswbar.asn.au
We are very grateful to our sponsors who have contributed to our event:
Forbes Chambers
National Legal Aid
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Minter Ellison
Clayton Utz
Australian Criminal Law Group
Hall & Wilcox
Ashurst
Centre for Criminology Law and Justice
Khan Law Associaties
BenchTV
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