ANZAPPL Vic - Youth Law Symposium

A must-attend event for all lawyers and mental health practitioners working with young people in forensic, legal, or clinical settings.

Whether you are regularly involved in youth justice matters or looking to expand your practice into this dynamic and challenging area, this one-day symposium will deliver fresh insights, practical tools, and collaborative opportunities.

See below for additional information about the presentations.

General event information

This full-day event will be held at Zinc at Fed Square, Cnr Princes Walk &, Russell St Ext, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Registration from 8:45 am. Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea will be provided.

Registration for this event grants you free attendance to our Annual Lecture, held directly following the symposium. Join us for our AGM, drinks, and canapés from 5 pm. The lecture will commence at 6:30 pm.

Contact

Please email us at vic@anzappl.org for more information.

Presentations

Early offending uncovered: Patterns, court outcomes, and lessons for practitioners

Research findings on the nature of the alleged offending, police and court outcomes for 10–13-year-olds and understanding the current status of doli incapax reports in Victoria.

• A/Prof. Susan Baidawi, Director of the Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) Program and Co-Director of the Monash Criminal Justice Research Consortium (CJRC) in the Department of Social Work

• Dr Nina Papalia, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Research Fellow at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science (Swinburne University of Technology)

Is Doli a folly? Inside the complexity of assessing doli incapax

This session unpacks the challenges in providing expert opinion on doli incapax through real and hypothetical cases

• Dr Adam Deacon, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Alfred Health (Youth Forensic Specialist Service) and private practice

The legal aspects of doli incapax assessments

This session demystifies doli incapax: what it means, how practitioners should respond when representing a child, and what lawyers need from experts in these matters

• Nick Jane, Partner, Stary Norton Halphen Criminal Lawyers

Prosecution perspectives on prosecuting young people

One of Victoria’s most senior Crown Prosecutors shares her insights on youth crime

• Kristie Churchill, Senior Crown Prosecutor OPP

Current status of rehabilitation services in Youth Justice

This session unpacks the current status of rehabilitation services in Youth Justice: what it means for remand vs sentenced youth, the impact of new Bail laws, system pressures, external options, and how practitioners can make realistic, effective therapeutic recommendations for at-risk or justice-involved young people.

• Dr Chelsea Leach, Forensic Psychologist, Acting Director Statewide Rehabilitation Service DJCS

Panel discussion: Creative solutions for young people facing, or at risk of facing, criminal charges

The panel will help legal practitioners explore current and future pathways for adolescent clients under the current and new Act, while health practitioners will gain clarity on their role in assessments and treatment, particularly regarding confidentiality and self-incrimination

• Sophie Parsons, Partner/in-house counsel at Doogue and George

• Una Ebsworth, Director at Doogue and George

• Negar Panahi, Principal Managing Lawyer at Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service

• Libby O'Dea: Principal Managing Lawyer (Youth Crime) at Victoria Legal Aid