Law Week 2014

Barristers took to a Brisbane stage during Law Week in May to help give Queenslanders a fun and informative look at law and justice.

Held nationally each year, Law Week aims to promote public understanding of the law and its role in society. Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall hosted the major event on 16 May.

The packed program featured free presentations, displays, entertainment, information and demonstrations, in a move away from the court-based open days held in past years.

Joshua Jones (Murray Gleeson Chambers) and Kate McMahon (Legal Aid Queensland) joined Queensland University of Technology law students on the mall stage for the mock trial of the character Alice, for murdering the Jabberwocky in Wonderland.

Lunchtime crowds were entertained by an impressive performance by the Crown Law choir, as well as demonstrations from Queensland Police dogs and corrective services drug detection dogs.

A captive audience watched the crime scene mapping and fingerprinting demonstrations and information sessions were held on common legal problems, youth law, scams, crime prevention, electrical safety in the home and family history research.

Visitors posed as a judge or police officer in the photo booth and got a closer look at police and prison vehicles while the Bar Association of Queensland and other agencies had displays providing information about legal services.

Other Law Week events held around Queensland included mooting competitions, courthouse tours and information displays.

The Queensland Legal Walk — held in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns on 13 May — raised more than $50,000 to help the Queensland Public Interest Legal Clearing House (QPILCH) continue to provide free legal help. 

See more at www.lawweek.qld.gov.au; the Law Week facebook page www.facebook.com/LawWeekQueensland or on Twitter @JusticeQLD or Instagram @lawweekqld.

Photos by Damian Caniglia

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie addresses the lunchtime crowd at the Law Week mall event.

Crown Law choir entertains mallgoers.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie with Queensland Corrective Services drug detection dog Jessie.

Joshua Jones (left) prosecutes the case against ‘Alice’ (Selina Iderjac – right) as witness ‘the Red Queen’ (Hasting Lai – QUT) looks on.

Mock trial participants ‘Alice’ (Selina Iderjac – left), witness ‘the Mad Hatter’ (Anna Storer – QUT) and defence barrister Kate McMahon (Legal Aid Queensland).

Fairytale ending: mock trial participants (from left) Prosecutor Joshua Jones (Murray Gleeson Chambers), ‘the Red Queen’ (Hasting Lai – QUT), ‘Alice’ (Selina Iderjac), ‘Mad Hatter’ (Anna Storer – QUT) and defence barrister Kate McMahon (Legal Aid Queensland).