Commonwealth Law Conference 2026
3 March 2026
On 27 February 2026, legal professionals from across Australia and beyond gathered in Sydney for the 4th annual Commonwealth Law Conference, hosted by the Federal Dispute Resolution Section of the Law Council of Australia.
Caption: Law Council President, Tania Wolff, opening the Commonwealth Law Conference in Sydney.
The full-day in-person event delivered an exceptional program of thought leadership, expert discussion, and valuable networking opportunities, uniting practitioners, academics, and members of the judiciary to explore the future of federal litigation and dispute resolution.
The Section was honoured to hear compelling addresses from Chief Justice Debra Mortimer of the Federal Court of Australia and Justice Julie Ward, President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal, who set the tone for a day rich in professional insight and collegial exchange.
Law Council President, Tania Wolff also provided the opening address. A copy of her speech is available online.
The conference featured a diverse agenda of substantive sessions covering pivotal topics shaping the law right now, including:
- The Federal Court at 50 — reflecting on five decades of jurisprudence and evolution.
- Judicial Review of Migration Matters — current challenges and developments.
- Administrative Law and the NDIS — navigating complex legal frameworks.
- The lively “Punters v Bosses” Debate — engaging perspectives on procedural and policy issues.
- Class Actions – Current and Emerging Issues
Last Updated on 03/03/2026