Susan Campbell Oration: Access to Justice - Whose responsibility is it?
Overview
Legal researchers explore who is responsible for creating a fairer, more accessible justice system at the Susan Campbell Oration.
Access to Justice: Whose responsibility is it?
Access to justice is fundamental to a fair and effective legal system. But ensuring that people can understand, navigate and access that system cannot be the responsibility of any one part of the legal profession.
So, whose responsibility is it?
This year's Susan Campbell Oration brings together four legal researchers for a panel discussion exploring our collective responsibility for access to justice, and the roles that the legal profession, courts, legal educators, community organisations, government and others can play in creating a more accessible and equitable justice system.
Held on the eve of the Victoria Law Foundation's International Access to Justice Conference, the discussion will feature speakers from the Conference program, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to address one of the most pressing challenges facing justice systems worldwide.
Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation, followed by an opportunity to continue the discussion with fellow attendees over drinks and canapés.
Monash University Law Chambers, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Speaker
Professor Emily Taylor-Poppe
Emily Taylor Poppe is a Professor of Law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law and Faculty Director of the UCI Law Initiative for Inclusive Civil Justice. She is an interdisciplinary empirical scholar whose research is focused on inequalities in access to civil justice, including the origins of civil legal problems and their paths toward resolution, as well as the role of legal actors and institutions in shaping these processes. She is also active in law reform efforts, and serves as Reporter for the Uniform Law Commission Committee on the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act and the American Law Institute project on Principles of the Law: High Volume Civil Adjudication. She holds a PhD in sociology from Cornell University, a JD from Northwestern University School of Law, and AB degrees in public policy and Spanish from Duke University.
Justice Eshetu Yadeta
Justice/Judge Eshetu Yadeta is working in Supreme Court of Oromia, Ethiopia. He studied LLB in law from BahirDar University, LLM from Haramaya University and currently completing his PhD in Law and Development at Bule Hora University. Judge Eshetu has taken several international and national professional eductions. In addition to working as Supreme Court Judge Eshetu has taught law Addis Ababa University School of Law, Oromia University School of law, Harama Univesity College of Law and Salale University School of law. Judge Eshetu is currently working as Federal Judicial trainer. He gives training on the wide areas of law. Besides, judge Eshetu is working as a member of legal reform committee.
Professor Naomi Creutzfeldt
Naomi is a Professor of Law and Society at the University of Kent. She teaches public law and socio-legal theory and methods. Her interests in administrative and civil justice systems and ADR (as pathways of informal dispute resolution) have a broader scope, addressing questions of access to justice, vulnerability, digitalisation and consumer protection.
She is co-editor of the Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law and a member of common room at Wolfson College, Oxford.
Toli Sagaga
Toli (Lepā, Matāfagatele Moataa) was appointed Director of the Pacific Justice Sector programme in April 2023. Toli brings a combination of strong legal, public and private sector, and community engagement experience.
She joined PJSP following her role as a senior litigation solicitor at Hīkina Whakatutuki Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. Toli has used her legal skills and Pasifika knowledge in various roles involving Pasifika engagement, including private secretary for the Minister for Pacific Peoples, secretariat for the Advisory Group for the Minister for Pacific Peoples, member of the Senior Pacific Advisors Group for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, member of the Government Legal Network’s Increasing Māori and Pāsifika Lawyers in Government project, and member of the Komiti Poto for the Fofola na ibe – Improving Pasifika Legal Education in Aotearoa Project.
Of Samoan descent, Toli holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.
Who should attend
- Law students interested in clinical programs or policy work
- Legal academics and clinical educators
- Legal practitioners and community legal centre staff
- Judiciary and government policy staff
- Monash alumni and members of the public with an interest in legal education and social justice
About the Susan Campbell Oration
About Susan Campbell AM
Practical details
- Date: 27 October 2026
- Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
- Location: Monash University Law Chambers, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
- Cost: Free
- Format: In person lecture
- Registration: Required, open until COB Friday, 23 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
Yes. There is no charge to attend.
Do I need to register?
Yes. A confirmed registration is required for entry.
Event Details
- Date:
- 27 October 2026 at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Venue:
- 555 Lonsdale Street Melbourne, VIC 3000
- Campus:
- Monash University Law Chambers
Description
Overview
Legal researchers explore who is responsible for creating a fairer, more accessible justice system at the Susan Campbell Oration.
Access to Justice: Whose responsibility is it?
Access to justice is fundamental to a fair and effective legal system. But ensuring that people can understand, navigate and access that system cannot be the responsibility of any one part of the legal profession.
So, whose responsibility is it?
This year's Susan Campbell Oration brings together four legal researchers for a panel discussion exploring our collective responsibility for access to justice, and the roles that the legal profession, courts, legal educators, community organisations, government and others can play in creating a more accessible and equitable justice system.
Held on the eve of the Victoria Law Foundation's International Access to Justice Conference, the discussion will feature speakers from the Conference program, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to address one of the most pressing challenges facing justice systems worldwide.
Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation, followed by an opportunity to continue the discussion with fellow attendees over drinks and canapés.
Monash University Law Chambers, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Speaker
Professor Emily Taylor-Poppe
Emily Taylor Poppe is a Professor of Law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law and Faculty Director of the UCI Law Initiative for Inclusive Civil Justice. She is an interdisciplinary empirical scholar whose research is focused on inequalities in access to civil justice, including the origins of civil legal problems and their paths toward resolution, as well as the role of legal actors and institutions in shaping these processes. She is also active in law reform efforts, and serves as Reporter for the Uniform Law Commission Committee on the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act and the American Law Institute project on Principles of the Law: High Volume Civil Adjudication. She holds a PhD in sociology from Cornell University, a JD from Northwestern University School of Law, and AB degrees in public policy and Spanish from Duke University.
Justice Eshetu Yadeta
Justice/Judge Eshetu Yadeta is working in Supreme Court of Oromia, Ethiopia. He studied LLB in law from BahirDar University, LLM from Haramaya University and currently completing his PhD in Law and Development at Bule Hora University. Judge Eshetu has taken several international and national professional eductions. In addition to working as Supreme Court Judge Eshetu has taught law Addis Ababa University School of Law, Oromia University School of law, Harama Univesity College of Law and Salale University School of law. Judge Eshetu is currently working as Federal Judicial trainer. He gives training on the wide areas of law. Besides, judge Eshetu is working as a member of legal reform committee.
Professor Naomi Creutzfeldt
Naomi is a Professor of Law and Society at the University of Kent. She teaches public law and socio-legal theory and methods. Her interests in administrative and civil justice systems and ADR (as pathways of informal dispute resolution) have a broader scope, addressing questions of access to justice, vulnerability, digitalisation and consumer protection.
She is co-editor of the Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law and a member of common room at Wolfson College, Oxford.
Toli Sagaga
Toli (Lepā, Matāfagatele Moataa) was appointed Director of the Pacific Justice Sector programme in April 2023. Toli brings a combination of strong legal, public and private sector, and community engagement experience.
She joined PJSP following her role as a senior litigation solicitor at Hīkina Whakatutuki Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. Toli has used her legal skills and Pasifika knowledge in various roles involving Pasifika engagement, including private secretary for the Minister for Pacific Peoples, secretariat for the Advisory Group for the Minister for Pacific Peoples, member of the Senior Pacific Advisors Group for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, member of the Government Legal Network’s Increasing Māori and Pāsifika Lawyers in Government project, and member of the Komiti Poto for the Fofola na ibe – Improving Pasifika Legal Education in Aotearoa Project.
Of Samoan descent, Toli holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.
Who should attend
- Law students interested in clinical programs or policy work
- Legal academics and clinical educators
- Legal practitioners and community legal centre staff
- Judiciary and government policy staff
- Monash alumni and members of the public with an interest in legal education and social justice
About the Susan Campbell Oration
About Susan Campbell AM
Practical details
- Date: 27 October 2026
- Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
- Location: Monash University Law Chambers, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
- Cost: Free
- Format: In person lecture
- Registration: Required, open until COB Friday, 23 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
Yes. There is no charge to attend.
Do I need to register?
Yes. A confirmed registration is required for entry.