International Access to Justice Forum: Evidence and Action

Victoria Law Foundation in partnership with Monash University, Faculty of Law, is proud to host the 2026 International Access to Justice Forum: Evidence and Action, in Melbourne from 28 to 30 October 2026.
3 day conference on legal research, justice systems, and person‑centred reform
If you work in law, policy, research, or community justice, this forum will help you understand what works in access to justice and how to turn evidence into real outcomes. Join global leaders in Melbourne to share research, learn from practice, and connect with people shaping justice systems.
Location: Monash College, 750 Collins Street Campus, Docklands, Melbourne
Format: In person, 3 day forum
Early Bird ends: 31 July 2026
Why attend
- Learn what works in access to justice, based on empirical research and real data
- Hear how research translates into action across courts, legal services, and policy
- Explore legal technology, AI, and system reform in practice
- Connect with researchers, legal professionals, and policymakers from around the world
- Take part in workshops, panels, and discussions across sectors
Who should attend
- Legal academics and researchers
- Community and public interest lawyers
- Court and tribunal staff
- Policymakers and government advisers
- Legal technology professionals and service designers
- Civil society advocates
- Students in law and related fields
Hosted by
- Dr Hugh McDonald, Research Director, Victoria Law Foundation
- Associate Professor Genevieve Grant, Australian Centre for Justice Innovation at Monash University
- Professor Nigel Balmer, Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner
- Matthew Burnett, American Bar Foundation
- Louisa Gibbs, Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria
- Professor Lola Akin Ojelabi, RMIT University
- Simon Goodrich, Portable
- Olivia Nguy, Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales
Programme overview
- Evidence on what works
- Measuring legal need
- Public legal education
- Justice systems and institutions
- Legal assistance and funding
- Courts and tribunal reform
- Regulation and accountability
- Legal technology and AI
- Climate change and legal need
- Inequality and structural barriers
- Community justice and legal empowerment
- First Nations justice and self‑determination
- Integrated and multidisciplinary services
- Plenary sessions
- Breakout panels
- Workshops
- Cross‑sector discussions
Tickets
Forum passes
Available until 31 July
- Access to all 3 days
- Welcome Reception ticket (free, registration required)
- Option to purchase conference dinner
- Catering included each day
Available 1 August to 14 October
- Access to all 3 days
- Welcome Reception ticket
- Option to purchase conference dinner
- Catering included each day
- Access to selected day (28 or 29 October)
- Catering included
- Welcome Reception ticket
- Option to purchase conference dinner
- Access to Friday 30 October (short day)
- Catering included
Add-ons and pre conference events
Welcome Reception – Free (ticket required)
Wednesday 28 October, 6 to 8 pm
Transit Rooftop Bar, Federation Square
Conference Dinner – $80 AUD
Thursday 29 October, 7 to 10 pm
Melbourne CBD venue (to be confirmed)
Tuesday 27 October, 2 to 4 pm
- Guided walk through a historic meeting place
- Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
- Starts at Yarra Park near the MCG
Venue
- Central Melbourne location
- Close to public transport
- Nearby accommodation
- Designed for plenaries, workshops, and discussions
What to expect
- Global speakers from law, policy, academia, and community justice
- Practical sessions on legal technology, reform, and service design
- Networking across research, government, and legal services
- A Melbourne forum grounded in the Victorian justice system
Practical details
- Dates: 28 to 30 October 2026
- Location: Docklands, Melbourne
- Catering included for all ticket holders during conference days
- Add-on events require registration
- No refund or cancellation policy applies
Secure your place
Early Bird tickets are available until 31 July. Prices increase after this date.
Event Details
- Date:
- 28 October 2026 at 10:00 am – 30 October 2026 at 4:00 pm
- Venue:
- Monash College, Level 5/750 Collins St, Docklands
- Campus:
- Monash College, Level 5/750 Collins St, Docklands
- Register here:
- https://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/ia2jf-2026
- Categories:
- Research; Faculty
Description

Victoria Law Foundation in partnership with Monash University, Faculty of Law, is proud to host the 2026 International Access to Justice Forum: Evidence and Action, in Melbourne from 28 to 30 October 2026.
3 day conference on legal research, justice systems, and person‑centred reform
If you work in law, policy, research, or community justice, this forum will help you understand what works in access to justice and how to turn evidence into real outcomes. Join global leaders in Melbourne to share research, learn from practice, and connect with people shaping justice systems.
Location: Monash College, 750 Collins Street Campus, Docklands, Melbourne
Format: In person, 3 day forum
Early Bird ends: 31 July 2026
Why attend
- Learn what works in access to justice, based on empirical research and real data
- Hear how research translates into action across courts, legal services, and policy
- Explore legal technology, AI, and system reform in practice
- Connect with researchers, legal professionals, and policymakers from around the world
- Take part in workshops, panels, and discussions across sectors
Who should attend
- Legal academics and researchers
- Community and public interest lawyers
- Court and tribunal staff
- Policymakers and government advisers
- Legal technology professionals and service designers
- Civil society advocates
- Students in law and related fields
Hosted by
- Dr Hugh McDonald, Research Director, Victoria Law Foundation
- Associate Professor Genevieve Grant, Australian Centre for Justice Innovation at Monash University
- Professor Nigel Balmer, Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner
- Matthew Burnett, American Bar Foundation
- Louisa Gibbs, Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria
- Professor Lola Akin Ojelabi, RMIT University
- Simon Goodrich, Portable
- Olivia Nguy, Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales
Programme overview
- Evidence on what works
- Measuring legal need
- Public legal education
- Justice systems and institutions
- Legal assistance and funding
- Courts and tribunal reform
- Regulation and accountability
- Legal technology and AI
- Climate change and legal need
- Inequality and structural barriers
- Community justice and legal empowerment
- First Nations justice and self‑determination
- Integrated and multidisciplinary services
- Plenary sessions
- Breakout panels
- Workshops
- Cross‑sector discussions
Tickets
Forum passes
Available until 31 July
- Access to all 3 days
- Welcome Reception ticket (free, registration required)
- Option to purchase conference dinner
- Catering included each day
Available 1 August to 14 October
- Access to all 3 days
- Welcome Reception ticket
- Option to purchase conference dinner
- Catering included each day
- Access to selected day (28 or 29 October)
- Catering included
- Welcome Reception ticket
- Option to purchase conference dinner
- Access to Friday 30 October (short day)
- Catering included
Add-ons and pre conference events
Welcome Reception – Free (ticket required)
Wednesday 28 October, 6 to 8 pm
Transit Rooftop Bar, Federation Square
Conference Dinner – $80 AUD
Thursday 29 October, 7 to 10 pm
Melbourne CBD venue (to be confirmed)
Tuesday 27 October, 2 to 4 pm
- Guided walk through a historic meeting place
- Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
- Starts at Yarra Park near the MCG
Venue
- Central Melbourne location
- Close to public transport
- Nearby accommodation
- Designed for plenaries, workshops, and discussions
What to expect
- Global speakers from law, policy, academia, and community justice
- Practical sessions on legal technology, reform, and service design
- Networking across research, government, and legal services
- A Melbourne forum grounded in the Victorian justice system
Practical details
- Dates: 28 to 30 October 2026
- Location: Docklands, Melbourne
- Catering included for all ticket holders during conference days
- Add-on events require registration
- No refund or cancellation policy applies
Secure your place
Early Bird tickets are available until 31 July. Prices increase after this date.