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ACU and UN launch International Day for Judicial Wellbeing

Some of the nation's most distinguished legal minds have rallied in support of the inaugural International Day for Judicial Wellbeing at Australian Catholic University in Brisbane.

The Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO KC, former Chief Justice of Queensland and Governor of Queensland and Father Frank Brennan, an Adjunct Professor at the Thomas More Law School whose late father, Sir Gerard Brennan, was a former High Court Chief Justice who delivered the Mabo decision, were among the speakers at the landmark event.

The ceremony was the realisation of international efforts that led to the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) declaration of July 25 as the International Day for Judicial Wellbeing.

ACU was a prime mover behind the initiative that recognises the heavy mental, physical and emotional burden carried by the judiciary as they contend with conflict, disharmony, heavy caseloads, public scrutiny, and the rising spectre of technology and artificial intelligence in their profession.

Event host ACU Chancellor and former Supreme Court Judge The Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC lauded the commencement of a UN and partner-funded study on judicial wellbeing in the Pacific region, with the event doubling as a launch of the Global Judicial Wellbeing Research Hub.

The study is led by Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena, President of the Nauru Court of Appeal, Interim Dean of the Thomas More Law School Associate Professor Kunle Ola and ACU teaching and research academic Dr Anne Pickering.

In conjunction with the liturgy, the TMLS proudly launched the Global Judicial Wellbeing Research Hub an initiative led The Honourable Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena, Associate Professor Kunle Ola, and Dr Anne Pickering. Global Judicial Wellbeing Research Hub.

The platform is designed to support judiciaries, judges’ associations, and judicial institutions worldwide in conducting empirical studies on judicial well-being using expertly developed, research-based questionnaires. The Hub marks a significant step toward promoting data-driven reform and fostering healthier, more resilient judicial systems globally. 

Media Contact: Damien Stannard, 0484387349, damien.stannard@acu.edu.au