Unelected but not undemocratic

Deakin University's School of Law is proud to present the Chief Justice of Victoria, the Honourable Marilyn Warren, at the 2008 Law Oration to be held on Wednesday, August 20.

Chief Justice Warren will examine the relationship between our unelected judiciary and democracy as she addresses the topic, Unelected Does Not Equate with Undemocratic: Parliamentary Sovereignty and the Role of the Judiciary.

Head of Deakin's School of Law, Professor Anne Rees says each year the Deakin Oration presents a thought-provoking lecture aimed at increasing awareness and discussion of legal issues within the academic sector and the broader community.

The 2008 Oration will make an important contribution to the discussion surrounding the role of the judiciary in interpreting the law.

"The discussion is particularly relevant given the implementation of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 in Victoria, and the on-going debate about a Bill of Rights in Australia," Prof Rees said.

Chief Justice Warren who, in 2003, became the first female head of a Supreme Court in Australia, has been senior legal policy adviser to three attorneys-general, is President of the Victorian Law Foundation and Chair of three key bodies: the Judicial College of Victoria, the Council of Legal Education and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. She assumed the role of Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria in April 2006.

Admission to the Law Oration is free.

The Oration: The Oration starts at 6pm in Swanston Hall, Melbourne Town Hall 120 Swanston Street, Melbourne.