The third edition of the Supreme Court of Queensland’s Equal Treatment Benchbook will be launched at the Banco Court on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, as part of the Culture and Law Moot.
The Benchbook provides practical, contemporary guidance for judges and tribunal members to ensure that no person is disadvantaged in court proceedings by reason of race, culture, language, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or other difference.
Its core principle is clear: equal treatment is essential to fairness and justice.
In her foreward to the new edition, Chief Justice Helen Bowskill stated that “we celebrate and are proud of the diversity of our society. It is part of our national identity. Inclusion is an essential element of the equality and fairness which define our justice system. Exclusion, and disadvantage, are anathema to it. Good intentions are important, but not sufficient; comprehensively informed understanding and practice is what is required”.
QLS President Peter Jolly called the Benchbook a valuable resource for all legal practitioners, pointing out that many of its equal treatment principles — respect, courtesy, candour — sit at the heart of lawyers’ ethical obligations.
“Equal treatment is part of our professional DNA as lawyers,” Mr Jolly said.
“A commitment to equal treatment enhances the collegiality and inclusivity of our profession, and I commend the Benchbook to all practitioners as a rich source for professional development and growth.”
The third edition was co-authored by 2024 QLS President Rebecca Fogerty and former QLS policy solicitor Dr Brooke Thompson, following extensive consultation with justice system stakeholders.
Practitioners are invited to the Benchbook launch which starts at 5.30pm. The 2026 Culture and Law Moot, which follows, is a free event.
Share this article