Evidence and Action

Victoria Law Foundation in partnership with Monash University, Faculty of Law, is proud to host the 2026 International Access to Justice Forum: Evidence and Action, in Melbourne from 28 to 30 October 2026.

The Forum brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and justice system leaders from around the world to strengthen the global community working to improve access to justice.

At a time of growing complexity and pressure on justice systems, the Forum focuses on the dynamic relationship between research and action. It will examine what works, why it works, and how evidence can be translated into real-world impact across different legal and social contexts.

The forum is distinguished by its empirical and outcomes-focused orientation. It creates a shared space for quantitative and qualitative research, evaluation, data and lived experience to sit alongside insights and innovation from implementation and delivery.

Theme: Evidence and Action

At a time of growing complexity and pressure on justice systems, the Forum focuses on the dynamic relationship between research and action. Distinguished by its empirical and outcomes-focused orientation, the Forum will examine what works, why it works, and how evidence can be translated into real-world impact across different legal and social contexts.

The Forum also recognises that action itself generates evidence. Learning from implementation, experimentation, and practice-based insight is central to building smarter systems, improving outcomes, and avoiding well-intentioned but ineffective reforms.

Why attend

Building on the legacy of recent Forums in New York (2025), Toronto (2024), and Los Angeles, Irvine (2023), the Melbourne Forum will continue the tradition of cross-border dialogue, collaborative learning, and innovation.

The Forum also recognises that action itself generates evidence. Learning from implementation, experimentation and practice-based insight is central to building smarter systems, improving outcomes and avoiding well-intentioned but ineffective reforms.

What to expect

Although the program is still in development, participants can look forward to:

• inspiring plenary sessions with leaders in law, policy, academia, and community justice from across the world
• dynamic breakout panels and workshops exploring innovative research, emerging tools including legal technology and digitisation, pathways to person-centred justice, and intersections with climate, inequality and democratic integrity
• cross-sector and international networking that fosters collaboration between researchers, legal aid providers, community leaders, and justice innovators
• a distinctly Melbourne experience with sessions grounded in Victoria’s justice ecosystem, community legal sector, and research leadership while also contributing to the global access to justice conversation.

Who should attend

This Forum is for anyone interested in advancing access to justice, including:

• legal academics and researchers
• community and public interest lawyers
• court and tribunal officials
• justice technology innovators and service designers
• policymakers and civil society advocates
• educators and students across law and allied disciplines.

Venue: Monash University

Monash University, 750 Collins Street Campus, Docklands, Melbourne, Victoria

The Forum will take place at Monash University’s 750 Collins Street campus in Docklands. This venue is a modern, flexible space well-equipped for plenaries, breakout sessions, workshops, and smallgroup conversations. Centrally located with excellent public transport and nearby accommodation, the venue is convenient for local and international delegates and designed to encourage open and collaborative dialogue.

Steering Committee

The Forum is guided by a Steering Committee of respected leaders from justice research, policy, practice and innovation. Their diverse expertise helps shape a program that is rigorous, relevant, and globally minded.

• Associate Professor Genevieve Grant – Australian Centre for Justice Innovation at Monash University
• Professor Nigel Balmer – Research Director, Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner
• Matthew Burnett – Research Director, American Bar Foundation
• Simon Goodrich – Cofounder and Director, Portable
• Professor Lola Akin Ojelabi – School of Law, RMIT University Melbourne
• Louisa Gibbs – Chief Executive Officer, Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria
• Olivia Nguy – Director, Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales.

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