Equality, proportionality and dignity: The guiding principles for a just legal system

Each year Newcastle Law School presents the Sir Ninian Stephen Lecture to celebrate the establishment of the School’s Bachelor of Laws degree program. Sir Ninian Stephen delivered the first lecture in 1993 and an eminent lawyer is invited to speak each academic year. Justice Virginia Bell of the High Court of Australia delivered the 24th Annual Sir Ninian Stephen Lecture on 29 April 2016. This is an edited version of Justice Bell’s lecture.