Federal Court judge comes to Flinders for a week

Justice Annabelle Bennett – at Flinders next week.

One of Australia’s most prominent legal figures, Justice Annabelle Bennett of the Federal Court of Australia, will be in residence at Flinders University next week (September 7 to 11) as part of the Law School’s annual Visiting Judicial Fellow program.

Appointed to the Federal Court in 2003, Justice Bennett has recently been in the news for hearing the Apple-Samsung case. Prior to her becoming a judge, she had a distinguished career as a barrister, specialising in intellectual property law. She also holds a PhD in biochemistry.

An additional Judge of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory, she is also a presidential member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. She is a member of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences and a former Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council. She was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2005.

Justice Bennett will visit Flinders with her husband Dr David Bennett, a prominent Sydney barrister and QC, and former Commonwealth Solicitor-General.

Professor Kim Economides, Dean of the Law School, said the judge’s visit promises to provide fascinating insights into the legal process at the highest level.

“Justice Bennett is a most dynamic and inspirational member of the Federal Court and we are immensely privileged that our staff and students will have access to her expertise and experience for an entire week during her residence in the Law School.”

Justice Bennett will present a public seminar at Flinders University Victoria Square on Wednesday, September 9, “Specialised Courts/Specialised Judges/Expert Referral – Better Access to Justice?” and will give a research seminar in the Law School the next day on “Why you should love IP”.

During her time at Flinders Law School Justice Bennett will be engaged in informal Q&A sessions with law students and staff, as well as visiting the Flinders legal advice clinic in the Mark Oliphant building. As part of the teaching program, Justice Bennett will give a masterclass on statutory interpretation to administrative law students and Dr David Bennett will present a guest lecture in constitutional law on the implied freedom of communication.

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