Law professionals and students hear from highly respected judge

Judge Ian Dearden recently (3 August) spoke to legal practitioners, lecturers and students at USQ Springfield campus.

His Honour Judge Ian Dearden of the Beenleigh District Court recently (3 August) spoke to legal practitioners, university lecturers and law students at USQ Springfield as part of the 2011 School of Law Research Seminar Series.

Invited to speak by the Faculty of Business and Law’s School of Law, Judge Dearden presented a seminar titled ‘Putting therapeutic jurisprudence into practice in a mainstream criminal court’.

USQ Law Lecturer Dr Nicky Jones said the judge’s lecture was a major coup for the University and an exciting opportunity for the legal and broader community.

'Judge Dearden is a well known and highly respected member of the judiciary and his lecture was both fascinating and relevant to anyone working in the legal system today,' Dr Jones said. 

'Therapeutic jurisprudence seeks, where possible, to minimise the harm and maximise the benefits from legal interactions.

'It emphasises the importance of treating all participants in the justice system, whether defendants, court staff or barristers, with courtesy, dignity and respect.

'That can involve addressing defendants directly rather than speaking only to their lawyers and explaining the sentences they are about to receive in simple English.'

Dr Jones said Judge Dearden’s seminar was very well received.

'The topic was relevant to all areas of the law but had particular significance for criminal law.

'Even lawyers can find it overwhelming to go to court – people with no legal background, or with mental illnesses or drug or alcohol addictions, can feel helpless, frustrated and angry.

'Although they have committed crimes, we need to make sure that they are treated as fairly as possible by the system and its representatives.

'I think it is very important for our law students to hear a former practitioner who is now a member of the judiciary talk about ways to reduce the harm which can be experienced by ordinary people in the criminal justice system.'

Contact Details:
Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0438 309 096