Do we Walk the Line? No time for complacency in our criminal justice system

Speaker: District Court Judge Dina Yehia SC

Our criminal Justice System has a strong commitment to the rule of law. We have a robust jury system, a commitment to ensuring a fair trial and a healthy preoccupation with preventing miscarriages of justice. Does that mean we can be complacent about our criminal justice system? We should recognise the good, the bad and the ugly. In some areas we have failed completely. In other areas we must remain vigilant about striking a fair balance. This is not the time for complacency.

About the speaker Judge Yehia SC was appointed a District Court Judge in May 2014 and is the Chairperson of the Walama Court Working Group. Judge Yehia SC was admitted as a solicitor in 1989 and worked with the Western Aboriginal Legal Service from December 1989 until September 1996. In that capacity, her Honour appeared for thousands of Aboriginal people in towns such as Bourke, Brewarrina, Wilcannia and Broken Hill. Her Honour worked as the Solicitor Advocate with the Legal Aid Commission and was called to the Bar in 1999. She was then appointed a Public Defender. Her Honour took silk in 2009 and became the first female Deputy Senior Public Defender in 2013. Her practice in the Supreme Court included murder trials and the year-long terrorism trial at Parramatta in 2009. Subsequent to that, she appeared in the High Court in Bugmy in 2013 and in the Special Leave application in Honeysett.

CPD Points: 1.5

This event is proudly hosted by the Institute of Criminology, Sydney Law School, The University of Sydney, highlighting the Institute’s support of critical criminal justice research, practice, policy and debate.

Previous speakers:

2018 – Phillip Boulten SC

2017 – Terry O’Gorman

2016 – Stephen Odgers SC

2015 – The Hon Justice Virginia Bell AC

2014 – The Hon. J D Heydon AC QC

2013 – The Hon. M Gleeson AC QC

2011 – The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG About Paul Byrne

This is the eighth Paul Byrne SC Memorial Lecture honouring Paul Byrne SC, who had a life long interest in criminal law and the criminal justice system, as well being an active participant and generous supporter of the Institute of Criminology at the Sydney Law School. Paul Byrne SC graduated in Arts and Law from the University of Sydney, and worked with the Public Solicitor’s Office as a solicitor. He became a barrister in 1979, and was appointed a public defender. In 1983 he was awarded a Master of Laws degree with First Class Honours, and was awarded a University Medal. He was appointed Director of the Criminal Law Review Division and a Commissioner of the New South Wales Law Reform Commission. In 1995 he took silk and continued an outstanding career as an advocate in courts at all levels.

The Paul Byrne Memorial Fund The Paul Byrne Memorial Fund has been set up to honour and continue Paul’s interest in the criminal justice system by supporting the ongoing activities of the Institute of Criminology, such as lectures, seminars, publications, and awards. Attendees of the Paul Byrne SC Memorial Lecture are warmly invited to make a donation to The Paul Byrne SC Memorial Fund. Gifts to The Paul Byrne SC Memorial Fund support the activities of the Institute of Criminology and other activities in the field of criminal law at Sydney Law School, in memory of the late Paul Byrne SC.