Blissed Friends Health Retreat Byron Bay
5-9 August 2022
Join Learned Friends as we partner with Blissed Friends Health Retreats for our first ever retreat in Byron Bay.
From 5-9 August 2022. Think meditation, yoga, health food, down time and loads more.
Would suit couples or friends as the rooms are shared.
Please email paige@learnedfriends.com.au for more information.
Join Learned Friends as we partner with Blissed Friends Health Retreats for our first ever retreat in Byron Bay.
From 5-9 August 2022. Think meditation, yoga, health food, down time and loads more.
Would suit couples or friends as the rooms are shared.
Lord Howe Island 2022
23-30 April 2022
In April 2022, we travel to Lord Howe Island again for our legal conference.
Lord Howe Island is regarded by many as the most beautiful island in the Pacific. It is the closest island getaway to Sydney.
The island is surrounded by many beaches… all of which are different. You can spend a day at the crystal clear lagoon beach, the next day at a surf beach… and the following day snorkelling over a pristine coral reef!
For adventurers there are both gentle bush walks and strenuous hikes, including Mt. Gower, rated as one of the world’s best day walks. To ease tired muscles, there is a choice of spa treatments.
Lord Howe Island 2021
17-24 April 2021
In April 2021, we travel to Lord Howe Island for our legal conference.
Lord Howe Island is regarded by many as the most beautiful island in the Pacific. It is the closest island getaway to Sydney.
The island is surrounded by many beaches… all of which are different. You can spend a day at the crystal clear lagoon beach, the next day at a surf beach… and the following day snorkelling over a pristine coral reef!
For adventurers there are both gentle bush walks and strenuous hikes, including Mt. Gower, rated as one of the world’s best day walks. To ease tired muscles, there is a choice of spa treatments.
Tasmania 2021 CANCELLED
2-9 January 2021
Unfortunately our 2021 Tasmania conference has been cancelled due to COVID-19.
Lord Howe Island 2020 - Cancelled
28 March-4 April 2020
In March/April 2020, we travel to Lord Howe Island for our legal conference.
Lord Howe Island is regarded by many as the most beautiful island in the Pacific. It is the closest island getaway to Sydney.
The island is surrounded by many beaches… all of which are different. You can spend a day at the crystal clear lagoon beach, the next day at a surf beach… and the following day snorkelling over a pristine coral reef!
For adventurers there are both gentle bush walks and strenuous hikes, including Mt. Gower, rated as one of the world’s best day walks. To ease tired muscles, there is a choice of spa treatments.
Spain/Portugal Legal Conference 2019
19-26 August 2019
In August 2019 we travelled to Spain and Portugal.
Iceland Legal Conference 2018
3-10 September 2018
In September 2018 we travelled to Iceland for our Legal Conference.
Lord Howe Island Legal Conference
7-14 April 2018
In April 2018, we travelled to Lord Howe Island for our legal conference.
Lord Howe Island is regarded by many as the most beautiful island in the Pacific. It is the closest island getaway to Sydney.
The island is surrounded by many beaches… all of which are different. You can spend a day at the crystal clear lagoon beach, the next day at a surf beach… and the following day snorkelling over a pristine coral reef!
For adventurers there are both gentle bush walks and strenuous hikes, including Mt. Gower, rated as one of the world’s best day walks. To ease tired muscles, there is a choice of spa treatments.
Cape Town Legal Conference
25 September-2 October 2017
In September/October 2017 held our Legal Conference in Cape Town.
Hong Kong Legal Conference
8-14 April 2017
In April 2017, we travelled to Hong Kong.
London Legal Conference
19-26 September 2016
In September 2016 we travelled to London, a city that barely needs an introduction.
Penang Family Law Legal Conference
9-16 July 2016
In July 2016 we are travelled to Penang for our first family law legal conference.
Lord Howe Island Legal Conference
2-9 April 2016
In April 2016 we again returned to Lord Howe Island. The Conference was our fourth on Lord Howe Island and also marked our five year anniversary since the establishment of Learned Friends in 2011.
Our delegates, presenters and their families enjoyed a week of snorkelling, walking, cycling and socialising. Without doubt the weather during our week on the island was the best that we have ever experienced providing a fabulous opportunity for attendees to enjoy the island when not conferencing.
Germany: Berlin/Nuremberg Legal Conference
14-21 September 2015
n September 2015, we travelled to the historic cities of Nuremburg and Berlin for our legal conference.
The Conference started in Nuremburg, which was an early centre of science, printing and mechanical intervention. More recently, Nuremburg has been known for the Nuremburg Trials resulting in the prosecution of German officials involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity.
We then travelled to Berlin for the second part of the conference. Berlin is the capital of Germany and is Germany’s largest city. Berlin is a world city of culture, politics, media and science. Modern Berlin is home to universities, orchestras and museums. The city is well known for its festivals, diverse architecture, nightlife and contemporary arts.
Speakers included Justice Peter Garling, Justice Peter Hamil, Judge Dina Yehia, Judge Kevin Lapthorn and Professor Helen Rhoades.
Fiji Legal Conference
29 June-5 July 2015
In June/July 2015, we travel to Fiji for our legal conference.
The heart of the South Pacific, Fiji is blessed with 333 tropical islands that are home to happiness.
Famous for its soft coral diving, white sand beaches and pristine natural environment Fiji is a leader in eco-tourism. From snorkelling, white water rafting and kayaking to bush walks, golf and cultural centres, Fiji has an endless offering of activities to keep you entertained.
When it comes to dining, Fiji’s top-class restaurants offer a range of truly multi-ethnic foods, including cuisine from Fiji, India, China, Europe, Japan, Korea and the Americas. You’ll also find the best of Australia, New Zealand and the local South Pacific.
Sri Lanka Legal Conference
3-10 January 2015
Sri Lanka’s attributes are many. Few places have as many Unesco World Heritage Sites packed into such a small area. Its 2000 plus years of culture can be discovered at ancient sites filled with mystery. Legendary temples boast beautiful details crafted by artisans through the centuries.
Lord Howe Island Legal Conference
5-12 April 2014
In April 2014 we returned to beautiful Lord Howe, regarded by many as the most beautiful island in the Pacific. It is the closest island getaway to Sydney. The Island, which is on the World Heritage Register, is surrounded by many beaches … all of which are different. It has the world’s southern most coral lagoon which is extensive, pristine and thoroughly beautiful.
Hawaii Legal Conference 2014
3-12 January 2014
In January 2014 we travelled to Hawaii for our conference on Current Issues for Lawyers – an Australian/US Perspective.
The conference started on the beautiful island of Kauai. We then travelled to Honolulu on the island of Oahu, staying at the magnificent Hyatt overlooking the famed Waikiki Beach.
We were privileged to enjoy presentations by Justice Sabrina McKenna, Chief Justice of Hawaii, a number of very colourful and informative local lawyers, who spoke to us on a range of topics from native title claims in Hawaii, to poverty law, to contemporary issues for the practice of law in Hawaii. Australian presenters included Justice Clifford Hoeben, Chief Judge at Common Law, Supreme Court of New South Wales, Judges Driver and Coakes of the Federal Circuit Court, Jeremy Gormly SC and Jeffrey Phillips SC.
Papers from our Hawaii conference are available on this website.
Boston & New York Legal Conference 2013
10-18 September 2013
In the fall of 2013, we travelled to the historic cities of Boston and New York for our medico-legal conference. We explored the many interactions between the medical and legal professions, including medical negligence, psychiatric evidence in criminal trials, legal aspects of the doctor/patient relationship, medical and legal disciplinary tribunals and others.
The first part of our conference was held in beautiful Boston. Boston, one of the oldest cities in the United States, is an international centre of higher education and a renowned centre for medical research and practice. Boston played a prominent role in the American revolution and many historic sites relating to that period are preserved as part of the Boston National Historical Park.
We then moved onto New York for the second part of the conference.
Many thanks to our wonderful speakers including Mary Walker, Dina Yehia SC, Peter Hamill SC, Tony Cavanagh, Dr Richard Lees, Judge Paul Lakatos SC, Justice Helen Murrell SC, Helen Kiel, Mark Robinson SC and David Hirsch.
Siem Reap Legal Conference January 2013
5-11 January 2013
Following the enormous success of the Vietnam conference in 2012, we travelled to Siem Reap Cambodia in January 2013. The magnificent temples of Angkor provided a stunning backdrop for the conference.
We commenced with excellent papers presented by Judge Ross Letherbarrow SC (Damages under the Compensation to Relatives Act) and Sharron Norton SC (Recent developments in tort law).
A feature of the conference were presentations by Australian ex-pat lawyers Matthew Rendall and Bill Smith working in Phnom Penh. Matthew gave a fascinating overview of the Cambodian legal system. Bill Smith, the Acting Deputy Prosecutor of the former Khmer Rouge leaders, gave a chilling summary of the atrocities of the former regime and the slow road to justice for its victims.
But it wasn’t all hard work! Fortunately we found time in between sessions to engage with the charming and admirable Cambodian people. The conference included several cultural activities including a visit to the Tonle Sap Lake (including an encounter with a hungry crocodile!), a street food tour and Cambodian cooking class.
Later in the week, quality papers were delivered by Judge Bill Kearns SC (Dust Diseases) and Dr Roger Pillemer (Orthopaedics in the Medico-legal context). Judge Richard Cogswell SC closed the conference with an entertaining and interactive session on the reliability of children as witnesses and their relevance in the sentencing of criminal offenders.
Our sincere thanks to our major sponsor Suzanne Delbridge-Bailey from Forsythes Forensic Accounting for her continuing support and her paper on Businesses valuations – buyers beware!
Lord Howe Island Legal Conference 2012
6-14 April 2012
After the enormous success of last years conference, we returned to Lord Howe Island in April. First timers to the island were stunned by its beauty and the relaxed atmosphere of the conference.
As one delegate remarked… the Lord Howe conference was the first time I have ever experienced District Court Judges in bare feet giving seminars to delegates wrapped in beach towels!
Federal Magistrate Rolf Driver simplified for all of us the history of Australia’s immigration laws and how they compare with our New Zealand neighbour.
Judge Helen Murrell of the NSW District Court gave an absorbing insight into the fralities of human memory in her presentation concerning the reliability of witnesses in the Court room.
A most interesting perspective on legal ethics in the Pacific Region was delivered by John Conners Barrister, which both shocked and amused us.
Paul Westwood, Australia’s internationaly respected document examiner, demonstrated the role of modern day forensics in challenging the validity of wills and other documents in legal disputes.
Between sessions we managed to find time to snorkel with the tame sharks off Ned’s Beach and enjoy a networking lunch with Lord Howe Island’s famous barbequed kingfish.
Vietnam Legal Conference 2012
6-14 January 2012
Our Vietnam conference was another great success. The conference was held in two of Vietnam’s most colourful cities; Hoi-an and Hanoi.
In Hoi-an, Stephen Campbell presented a valuable summary of the first ten years of the Civil Liability Act. Dr Dominic Frawley AM intrigued us with a doctors perspective of the influence of social change and litigation on the doctor/patient relationship.
In between sessions we found time to explore this ancient trading port and to test delegates culinary skills at a Vietnamese cooking class.
Lord Howe Legal Conference
8-16 April 2011
No one who attended the inaugural Learned Friends on Lord Howe Island in April 2011 will forget the experience easily. The pristine lagoon, the beautiful turtles and fish at Ned’s Beach and the (usually dependable) weather all worked their magic. Longstanding friendships were formed and yes we all came away a little more knowledgeable.
Our list of impressive speakers was rounded off by a fascinating discussion by Mr Steven Wills, the CEO of the Lord Howe Island Board as to the peculiar system of land title on Lord Howe Island.