The Innovation and Excellence in Courts Conference 2017, which concluded yesterday, was deemed a resounding success.
'The conference has been a marketplace for new and innovative ideas on court and tribunal practice,' said Chief Justice Marilyn Warren.
Hosted by the Supreme Court of Victoria in collaboration with the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration and the Law Library of Victoria, the conference examined and considered the operational dexterity of judicial and related organisations into the future, with perspectives shared from around Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Canada.
A diverse range of topics were explored over the two days, with leadership and the innovative and transformative quality of technology a central theme of the conference.
The impact of both leadership and technology, as drivers of change, was consistent throughout. The Supreme Court's Justice James Judd and Judicial Registrar Julian Hetyey spoke of the creation of the Commercial Court and the important impact of active case management. Federal Court CEO, Warwick Soden, said it is inevitable that artificial intelligence, 'big data' and quantum computing will affect court operations; Professor Dan Hunter, Foundation Dean, Swinburne Law School, predicted that technology developments will lead to the death of law firms. Meanwhile Kate Austin, Managing Associate, and Lisa Kozaris, Legal Technology Manager, Allens International Law Firm, spoke about technology as the great equaliser in civil litigation.
'Every organisation must learn to practise agility, especially in the face of emerging technology'The first wave of change in courts is being led by digitisation, the second wave will incorporate artificial intelligence," said Larry Kamener, Senior Partner and Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group. "New technology, including artificial intelligence, presents great opportunities to improve our courts.'
In her closing remarks, Chief Justice Marilyn Warren spoke about how extraordinarily uplifting it was to attend and be part of the conference. 'We are all leaders of change and innovation in our respective fields,' she said. Her Honour concluded by urging delegates to take away key learnings from the conference and lead change in their respective places of work.