Justice professionals gather at The Hub for practical application of Bugmy principles

Participants from across Victoria’s justice system gathered at the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub in June for the Bugmy Bar Book Advocacy Workshop, a two-day program focused on the practical application of Bugmy principles in sentencing proceedings.

Led by The Honourable Justice Dina Yehia, Project Director Crystal Triggs and Committee Member Sophie Parsons, the workshop brought together legal practitioners, judicial officers and community representatives to build advocacy skills and deepen understanding of the Bugmy Bar Book, a resource designed to assist courts in understanding the impacts of disadvantage, trauma and systemic factors on offending.

Participants included representatives from Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women, Victoria Legal Aid, the Office of Public Prosecutions, Victoria Police Prosecutions, the Victorian Bar and private criminal defence firms.

The program featured model plea exercises, panel discussions and small-group activities, giving participants the opportunity to explore how Bugmy principles can be applied in practice. Contributors included senior counsel, barristers, judicial officers and representatives from Aboriginal legal services, drawing on a wide range of experience from across the legal profession.

The workshop received strong feedback from participants, who praised the quality of the program, the practical advocacy training and the opportunities to learn from experienced practitioners and judicial officers. It also highlighted the commitment across Victoria's legal profession to improving justice outcomes through informed and effective advocacy.

Melbourne Law School was proud to host and support the workshop through the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub, alongside Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Victoria Legal Aid, Parnell's Barristers and Doogue + George.

The Hub was honoured to be involved in this inaugural event and thanks the Bugmy Bar Book Association for running this informative workshop.