REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT.
Please join us for our 2022 Sydney Dinner Meeting in conjunction with the World Congress on Medical Law.
ACLM 2022 ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING & AWARDS DINNER
From the Cradle to the Grave:
Beginning and End of Life Legal Issues
15 OCTOBER 2022 | HYBRID EVENT
Athenaeum Club, Melbourne & Online
Registration is now closed for this event.
Please join our mailing list below to be notified of future Annual Scientific Meetings.
The initial program is now available (some changes may be made):
Athenaeum Club, Melbourne
87 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Athenaeum Club Dress Code
- Weekends: Smart casual attire
- For men, collared long sleeve shirt, tailored trousers (incl. chinos), optional jacket and/or tie. (If arriving at the club on Friday, please wear a jacket and tie.)
- Strictly no jeans, shorts, polo or short sleeve shirts, sandals or sport shoes. No denim permitted at any time.
- Ladies attire to reflect the formality of the Club and the occasion.
- College Regalia and national costumes are allowed at the Awards Dinner.
Live Attendance
- Attend in person in Melbourne
- Includes attendance at the evening Awards Dinner
- Enjoy all meal breaks and networking opportunities
- Attend virtually if sickness or quarantine prevents you from attending live
ACLM Member $500 / Non-members $650 (inc GST)
Virtual Attendance
- Attend the Annual Scientific Meeting & AGM remotely via Zoom video/audio stream
- The video will be focused on the presenters. The audio will capture the presenters + audience comments via microphones
- Participate in discussions and ask questions via Zoom raise hand or chat features
- Does not include the Awards Dinner
- Despite our best efforts, remote attendees may not be able to interact quite as freely as being at the event in person.
- Virtual attendees can choose to switch to Live attendance up until 14 days prior by paying the price difference (subject to seating availability).
ACLM Member $350 / Non-members $500 (inc GST)
LIVE - ACLM Member $500 / Non-members $650
VIRTUAL - ACLM Member $350 / Non-members $500
Bring a partner to the Awards dinner - $165 extra
Speaker discount - $50 discount
(All prices include GST)
A refund less $100 administration fee will be provided for all cancellations received at least 15 days prior to the event (by Friday 30 September). Any cancellations after this point are non-refundable.
Virtual attendees can choose to switch to Live attendance up until 14 days prior by paying the price difference (subject to seating availability).
If you registered to attend Live and cannot do so due to sickness/quarantine/travel restrictions you will be given access to attend virtually. No refund will be given.
Contingency Planning
If a situation occurs which significantly affects the majority of participants’ ability to attend in person, the event may be held entirely online as was successfully done during the pandemic in 2021. In this scenario, live attendees would be given a partial refund of the price difference for the virtual ticket. By registering, you agree to attend the event virtually on the same date should this circumstance arise.
ACLM will follow Victorian Government COVID Safe requirements for holding this event. https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/staying-safe. We will update attendees with local information in case of any changes. At the same time, we request you check back here regularly leading up to the conference to confirm any changes.
As part of our commitment to making this event COVID Safe, you must comply with the following directions:
- Do not attend this event if you are unwell or have COVID-like symptoms. Get tested and isolate at the first sign of symptoms. Virtual attendance will be available.
- Do not attend this event if you are required to self-isolate or quarantine by the government, or if you are a household contact of a COVID case. Virtual attendance will be available.
- Bring a face mask. Even if face masks are not mandatory, we still recommended bringing and wearing a face mask when social distancing is not possible.
- Social distance where possible and use only one seat throughout the event. There are those who will attend who are at special risk should they become infected by COVID-19. We particularly ask that social distance conventions are adhered to as a result.
- Wash and sanitize your hands frequently and follow hygienic practices when coughing or sneezing.
- It is your responsibility to check and abide by the latest border, travel and quarantine restrictions to ensure you are safe and able to travel to and from this event.
Speakers - Biographies and Abstracts
(Listed in order they appear on the program.)

Professor Cameron Stewart
Professor of Health, Law and Ethics, The University of Sydney Law School,
ACLM Honorary Fellow
Brain Death and Pregnancy: Is there a jurisdiction for postmortem gestation?
(Maurice Wallin Lecture)

Dr Nicole Woodrow
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist / Ultrasonologist,
Abortion Services Clinic / Fetal Medicine Unit / Imaging Department, Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria
Abortion and the Law in Australia and America: A clinician’s perspective

Professor Mike O'Connor
Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, School Of Medicine, Western Sydney University, ACLM Fellow & Council Member
Calming Down the Diagnosis of Multiple Infanticide
(Co-presented with Prof. Arlie Loughnan)

Professor Arlie Loughnan
Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Law Theory, University of Sydney Law School
Calming Down the Diagnosis of Multiple Infanticide
(Co-presented with Prof. Mike O'Connor)

Dr John Goldenring
Pediatrician, United States of America, FCLM
The Brain Life Theory: Towards a Consistent Biological Definition of Humanness

Professor Ian Freckelton AO QC
Queen’s Counsel, ACLM Honorary Fellow
Stillbirths in the Coronial Jurisdiction

Dr Cristina Pelkas
Medical Registrar at Flinders Medical Centre, Lawyer, ACLM Associate member
Wills, Estates and End of Life Wishes: The erosion of the lawyer’s role in preparing our patients for loss of capacity

Professor Roy Beran
Neurologist & Professor, ACLM Council Member, Honorary Life Fellow and
Joint Head of Teaching Faculty
Futile Treatment –
When is enough, enough?
(Co-presented with Prof. John Devereux)

Professor John Devereux
Professor of Law, University of Queensland, ACLM Honorary Fellow and ACLM Joint Head of Teaching Faculty
Futile Treatment –
When is enough, enough?
+ Dinner Guest Speaker
(Co-presented with Prof. Roy Beran)

Mr Scott Davison
Barrister, Victorian Practising Counsel
The Doctrine of Double Effect and Potential Criminal Liability of Medical Practitioners in Australia

Dr Beverley Ferres
Geriatrician, Bendigo Health, ACLM Fellow
Legal and Ethical Issues at the End of Life

Mr Matthew Boisseau
Counsel, Crown Counsel Section,
Crown Solicitor’s Office, South Australia
Guardians and the
Power to Detain