Tuesday, 30 April

Stop, Question and Search/Racial Profiling Training for Defence Lawyers Vic

One day training for criminal defence lawyers on police stop, question and search powers and racial profiling

By Tamar Hopkins

Date and time

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM AEST

Location

Kensington Town Hall

30-34 Bellair Street Kensington, VIC 3031 Australia

Refund Policy

No Refunds

About this event

This training is based on the practical experience and research of Dr Tamar Hopkins who has been working, researching and writing on police powers since 2005. In 2023, Tamar's PhD, on which this training is partially based, won the Australian Legal Research Awards Prize for best PhD. This workshop brings together Tamar's research and experience with the aim of improving and supporting the capacity of defence lawyers to identify and respond to racial profiling and/or other forms of police misconduct in their criminal casework.

This workshop is supported by the Police Accountability Project at Inner Melbourne Community Legal.

For solicitors, this training is worth 7 CPD points in the following areas: Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Professional Skills, Substantive Law. For barristers please check the rules on CPD points.

So far over 90 lawyers and barristers have done this training. All have said they would recommend it to other lawyers and barristers. Some comments include: "So many ideas and [I liked the] practical application", "Super informative and engaging!" "Keen for more" "Great resources" "Loved the collaborative approach and delivery" "This is best training I have ever done". Participants have told Tamar it has changed their approach to their cases and their advice to their clients. Furthermore, solicitors and barristers have stated that they are continuing to use the resources provided in the training over a year after attending!

Frequently asked questions

I can only attend for half a day. Should I still come?

No, the workshop builds up to a mock-trial and requires your full day attendance. If you can't make it, let me know and I'll put you on the waiting list for the next workshop.

How much time do I need to spend preparing for this workshop?

Depending on your role in the mock trial, you will need to set aside between 1 to 4 hours to prepare.

I have no trial experience. Will that be a problem for my participation in the workshop?

Absolutely not. While this training is pitched to practicing lawyers, everyone from junior to senior will get practical learnings from it. All mistakes are absolutely welcome!

Is there a lunch break?

There is a lunch break from 1 -1:45pm. And then a preparation break from 1:45pm to 2:15pm. There are cafes near by where you can buy lunch, or you can bring your own.

When do I get the workshop materials?

At least two weeks before the workshop, I will be in contact with you to provide you with the reading and materials for the mock trial and your role in it. You will have access to the materials on an ongoing basis.

Is this workshop just for CLC lawyers?

No, this workshops is for all barristers and solicitors who do criminal defence work in Victoria that involves police powers. So far over 90 private lawyers, CLC, VLA, VALS lawyers and barristers have attended.

I'm suddenly unable to make the event

If you are unable to make the workshop, please immediately email me on Tamar.blackwood@gmail.com, to figure out a replacement and so that I can put you on the waiting list for the next workshop.

I can't afford $260 to attend. Is it possible to get a cheaper ticket?

Yes, if you are not employed and/or unable to have your workplace cover your ticket cost, please email me on Tamar.blackwood@gmail.com so that we can figure out an affordable/free arrangement.

My workplace needs an invoice to pay for my fees can you organise this?

Yes, get in touch with me on Tamar.blackwood@gmail.com and we can organise this.

Organised by

Tamar Hopkins

Tamar Hopkins was the founding lawyer of FKCLCs Police Accountability Project and one of the solicitors for the applicants in the Haile-Michael v Konstantinidis Federal Court claim settled in 2013 and for the defendant in DPP v Kaba [2014] VSC 52 (18 December 2014). She has acted in in numerous civil, discrimination, inquest and criminal cases where her clients have made allegations of racial profiling and systemic racism. Tamar's PhD on racial profiling from UNSW was given the Australian Legal Research Award Prize for best PhD in 2023. She currently works as an educator and project worker for the Police Accountability Project now at the Inner Melbourne Legal Service, and as campaign coordinator for the Justice Reform Initiative.

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