Hal Wootten Lecture: The Honourable Justice Dina Yehia

“Advocacy – From Bourke to Bugmy and Beyond”

In this lecture, Justice Yehia will explore the various aspects of advocacy within and beyond the court room. What is the role of an advocate? Why is advocacy more important than ever?

The lecture will focus on advocacy in the context of First Nations Peoples interactions with the courts and the criminal justice system. Drawing from the values and principles propounded by our founding Dean, Hal Wooten AC QC, Justice Yehia will emphasise the importance of First Nations voices and initiatives in driving systemic change.

We hope you can join us for the Hal Wootten Lecture to hear of Justice Yehia's personal journey from Bourke to the bench, as she shares her experiences and reflections on the transformative power of advocacy.

About the speaker

The Honourable Justice Yehia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts/Law from the University of NSW and a Masters in International Criminal Law from Sydney University. Admitted as a solicitor in 1989, she worked with the Western Aboriginal Legal Service, representing thousands of Aboriginal people. She later served as a Solicitor Advocate with the Legal Aid Commission and was called to the Bar in 1999, becoming a Public Defender and taking silk in 2009 and became the first female Deputy Senior Public Defender in 2013.

Her Honour's notable cases include murder trials and the 2009 terrorism trial at Parramatta. In 2013, she appeared as lead counsel in the High Court case of The Queen v Bugmy and in the Special Leave application in Honeysett. Appointed a Judge of the District Court in 2014, she chaired Diverse Women in Law from 2019 to 2022, mentoring women of diverse backgrounds in the profession. Currently, she chairs the Ngara Yura Committee and is a member of the Bugmy Bar Book Committee and the Australian Institution of Judicial Administration Board.

On 23 June 2022, Justice Yehia was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW and was sworn in on 4 July 2022. She became an Adjunct Professor at UNSW Law & Justice in January 2023, teaching a newly devised sentencing course. Her book, "The Essential Guide To Sentencing in NSW," was published in December 2023.

About the lecture

The Hal Wootten Lecture was established in 2006 by UNSW Law & Justice in honour of founding Dean, Emeritus Professor Hal Wootten. This lecture is a highlight of the Faculty's year and commemorates Hal Wootten's founding vision for the Faculty – that a Law School should have and communicate to its students a keen concern for those on whom the law bears harshly.

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Live Event & Venue Information

The Law Theatre is located within the UNSW Law & Justice Building at UNSW Sydney's Kensington Campus (refer F8 on this map). Please note this event will not be live-streamed.

Access
Wheelchair Access

The closest accessible drop-off point to the Law Theatre is the north entrance (F8 on map). Vehicles should arrive via High Street, Gate 2, follow Gate 2 Avenue to Union Road. The closest accessible parking is available on Union Road at the Chemical Sciences Building (F10) or near the UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre via Gate 2 (C6).

Assisted Listening

The Law Theatre has a hearing loop. Patrons wishing to utilise this need to switch their hearing aid to the T (Telecoil) setting to pick up on the wireless signal.

Public Transport and Parking

IMPORTANT PARKING UPDATE: Due to construction, the UNSW Western Campus Carpark on Anzac Parade next to NIDA is closed. Free parking is available in the Barker Street Carpark from 5.00pm. For access to free parking, event patrons must park in the UNSW Permit Holders bays.  The Barker Street Carpark is located via Gate 14, Barker Street (M17). 

Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’ in all other UNSW car parks. For more information head here.

The Law Theatre is easily accessible via public transport. Call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.

Contact

For all enquiries, please email law.events@unsw.edu.au