The Global Summit of Hellenic Lawyers, held in Athens from 7–10 July 2025, was organised by the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association (HAL) in collaboration with the Hellenic Lawyers Association of New York, the Cyprus Bar Association and the Plenary of the Greek Bar Associations. The Summit brought together jurists, academics, practitioners and philhellenes under the theme “Safeguarding Democracy, Rule of Law, and Justice: Global Challenges and the Role of AI”.
On the Eve of Oxi (‘No’) day, Friday, 27 October 2023, the Hellenic Australian Lawyers (SA Chapter) held the 2023 John William Perry AO QC Oration (HAL Oration SA) at the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide, South Australia.
The HAL Oration SA had the privilege of having the Honourable Justice Stephen Gageler AC – High Court of Australia delivering the oration on the topic of “Democracy and Reason”. His Honour’s presentation also included the Aristotelian theory and how it compared to the modern structures of Parliament and the Federal Supreme Court (High Court) within the Australian Constitution.
The HAL Oration SA is an annual dinner celebrating the life and contribution of the late Honourable Justice John William Perry AO QC, who was the first Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia of Hellenic background, who served the Court for 19 years.
The Honourable Justice Melissa Anne Perry, and daughter of the Late John William Perry, also addressed the attendees by reflecting on her father’s life and legacy.
The HAL Oration SA also featured a special cultural performance by the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia Dance Academy (GOCSADA) with the President of the Greek Community of South Australia, Mr Peter Gardiakos, in attendance.
The GOCSADA was formed in 1980 and is one of the longest running and successful dance schools in South Australia. Attendees enjoyed a performance of 4 unique dances from the island of Crete.
Further guests included:
The patron of the Victorian Chapter of HAL, Justice Emilios Kyrou (formerly a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Victoria) has been appointed as a Justice of the Federal Court of Australia and the President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
A ceremony welcoming Justice Kyrou was held on 28 June 2023 in the Federal Court in Melbourne.
Justice Kyrou has been a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria since 2008 and from 2014 has been a Judge on the Court of Appeal.
Justice Kyrou is widely recognised for his integrity, legal excellence, independence and intellectual capacity.
He is an experienced leader and administrator, and is an expert in administrative law. On Australia Day this year Justice Kyrou was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia ‘for distinguished service to the judiciary and to the law, to professional associations and to the community.’
Justice Kyrou has been Patron of the Victorian Chapter of the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association since 2014, and has presented a number of papers and speeches to HAL events.
Watch Justice Kyrou’s welcome ceremony on Youtube.
The Queensland Chapter of the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association (HAL) is delighted to present “Athenian Democracy – Key Values and Modern Resonances“, a conversation between Professor Alastair Blanshard (Paul Eliadis Professor of Classics and Ancient History at The University of Queensland) and The Hon Anthe Philippides SC (Queensland Patron of HAL).
Following the presentation you are invited to enjoy drinks and canapes and a tour of the RD Milns Antiquities Museum.
RESERVE YOUR PLACE NOW FOR THIS FREE EVENTPlease register for catering purposes. RSVP by 26 April 2023.
