Launch of the Warren Centre for Civil Justice

Description

ADVANCING EXCELLENCE IN CIVIL JUSTICE RESEARCH, EVIDENCE AND IMPACT

An official launch of the Warren Centre for Civil Justice, named in honour of the Honourable Marilyn Warren AC KC, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Evolving from the Australian Centre for Justice Innovation (ACJI), the Centre has been renewed in response to emerging challenges and opportunities across Australia’s civil justice landscape. Its mission focuses on producing high-quality socio-legal and empirical research that strengthens civil justice institutions, enhances access to justice, and improves the experiences of people engaging with civil justice systems.

The launch brings together judicial officers, legal practitioners, academics, policymakers, and justice-sector partners to celebrate this next chapter. Guests will hear about the Centre’s new identity and research themes, which reflect its commitment to advancing civil justice through innovation, evidence, and collaboration.

This milestone event also honours the extraordinary legacy of the Honourable Marilyn Warren AC KC, whose visionary leadership modernised the courts, championed access to justice, and helped shape generations of lawyers through her commitment to service and education.

Join us for an evening of thought-provoking discussion, connection, and celebration as we mark the beginning of a new era for civil justice research and impact.

You are invited to be part of this milestone moment.

Speakers

Professor the Honourable Marilyn Warren AC KC
Former Chief Justice of Victoria (2003–2017)

At the time she stepped down from the Supreme Court she was the longest serving of the then state and federal Chief Justices.

Earlier she was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria (1998-2003) including sitting as the Judge in Charge of the Commercial List and the Corporations List (now combined as the Commercial Court).

Whilst on the bench, Marilyn Warren sat in all jurisdictions, trial and appellate, and extensively in commercial cases.

Marilyn Warren is a Vice Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow of Monash University. She is a member of the Monash University Global Leaders’ Summit.

She is involved in teaching commercial law and international arbitration in the Monash University Law Faculty graduate programs as Professor.

The Honourable Richard Niall
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria

Since 2017, Justice Niall has served as a judge of appeal of the Supreme Court presiding over criminal and civil appeals as well as matters in the trial division. He was appointed Victoria’s Solicitor-General in 2015.

Earlier in his career, Justice Niall was a senior counsel at the Victorian Bar, specialising in constitutional and administrative law.

In 2010, Justice Niall was appointed Queen’s Counsel with notable appearances in the High Court of Australia in areas including human rights law and environmental law. He will be the thirteenth Supreme Court Chief Justice of Victoria.

Justice Niall entered legal practice in 1990 and joined the Victorian Bar in 1995. He holds degrees in economics and law from Monash University.

Professor Steven Vaughan
Dean, Faculty of Law, Monash University

In January 2025, we welcomed Professor Steven Vaughan as the Dean of the Faculty of Law. Professor Vaughan is an internationally renowned legal educator, scholar and author with 20 years’ experience spanning industry and higher education, with extensive leadership experience at UCL Laws, having previously served as Vice Dean (Strategy), Deputy Dean/Head of Department, and (COVID) Chair of the Faculty Education Team. Professor Vaughan has previously worked at University College London (UCL), where he was a Professor of Law and Professional Ethics.

With an established international reputation as a prolific researcher, Professor Vaughan has dedicated his academic career to environmental law, lawyers’ ethics, legal education (including clinical legal education), diversity and corporate governance. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2006, Professor Vaughan has received multiple awards and honours for his achievements in teaching and research.

A values-driven leader, Professor Vaughan is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and has spent much of his career developing teaching approaches that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.

With Professor Vaughan’s leadership, vision, and expertise, his appointment marks an exciting new chapter for our institution and we are excited for you all to meet him.

Associate Professor Genevieve Grant
Director, Warren Centre for Civil Justice

Associate Professor Genevieve Grant is Director of the Warren Centre for Civil Justice (formerly Australian Centre for Justice Innovation), in the Law Faculty at Monash University. She is co-author of Luntz & Hambly's Torts: Cases, Legislation and Commentary (LexisNexis, 10th ed, 2025) and Victorian Statutory Compensation Systems (LexisNexis, 2021, with Jason Taliadoros).

Genevieve's research uses empirical methods to evaluate justice system performance, including the design and operation of dispute resolution, civil justice and injury compensation systems. This work cuts across the fields of dispute resolution, legal technology, injury compensation, legal ethics and health law. Genevieve has experience investigating the perspectives of stakeholders and users (including lawyers, consumers of legal services, compensation claimants, users of online dispute resolution platforms, courts, family law disputants, medical examiners and administrative decision-makers). She is particularly interested in the use of administrative data to enhance access to justice.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 29 April 2026
Time: 6.00 – 8.00 pm AEDT
(Registration from 5.30 pm)
Venue: Monash University Law Chambers
555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

RSVP
Please register your attendance by Monday 20 April

Register to attend

For all enquiries, please email: law-engagement@monash.edu.