SALRI Engages with Law Reform Bodies in the UK and Ireland

On 10-11 September 2025, SALRI Deputy Director Associate Professor David Plater and SALRI researcher Emily Conroy attended the Vulnerable Accused conference at Cardiff University in Wales and presented on SALRI’s role and work and the problematic concept  of ‘vulnerability’ and raised the acute historical and continuing issues and barriers facing Indigenous accused and witnesses in the justice system. 

On 16 September 2025, SALRI Deputy Director Associate Professor David Plater, SALRI researcher Emily Conroy, and Nili McGarth (recent Law Reform graduates) were warmly received at the Law Commission of England and Wales in London. Discussions focused on collaboration and shared themes in common law reform, with particular attention to SALRI’s reviews of provocation, the Real Property Act, and supported decision-making. During the visit, David Plater and Emily Conroy also presented a research seminar to the Commissioners and staff, showcasing SALRI’s work, the distinctive Law Reform class, and the value of integrating legal education with law reform.

On 17 September 2025, David Plater and Emily Conroy were made welcome in Belfast and visited Queens University and met the Northern Ireland Attorney General Dame Brenda King and Mr Justice Scoffield of the Northern Ireland Law Commission to discuss with the Deans of the Law Schools at Queens and Ulster Universities, SALRI, the Law Reform class, the recent SALRI supported decision making project and other topical law reform issues of joint interest.

On 18 September 2025, David Plater joined Commissioners from Ireland and throughout the UK, as well as the Hon Tony North of the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC), in Dublin for a wide-ranging discussion on current law reform projects, joint themes in law reform, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in law reform processes.

That same day, Emily Conroy and David Plater were honoured to attend the Irish Law Reform Commission’s 50th Anniversary Conference, where they presented at Trinity College Dublin on SALRI’s unique Law Reform class and the broader benefits of legal education in shaping law reform.

On 19 September 2025, the Anniversary Conference continued, with David Plater participating in a keynote panel alongside Justice Eileen Roberts, Lady Ann Paton, Richard Barrett, and David Hertzell. The panel explored modern law reform and the importance of community engagement. The Irish Law Reform Commission extended a warm welcome throughout the conference, echoed by the words of its President, former Chief Justice Frank Clarke: “Good neighbours are not measured in geography.”

Finally, on 22 September 2025, David Plater visited Nottingham Trent University, where he delivered a research presentation on SALRI’s work, including law reform projects, the challenges facing vulnerable parties in the justice system, and the enduring value of clinical legal education.

These international engagements highlight the role of the Law Reform class and SALRI’s leading role in law reform, legal education, and collaboration. They also underline the importance of building strong connections between law reform bodies worldwide in addressing shared challenges and promoting modern, accessible laws.