I’m honoured to announce that the Deputy Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), the Hon. Robert McClelland AO, has agreed to be the keynote speaker at the Law Society of NSW’s Specialist Accreditation Conference 2026 on Thursday 13 August.

Deputy Chief Justice McClelland’s keynote address is entitled: The ongoing importance of legal expertise and specialisation in the face of AI and a changing legal landscape. A topic of critical importance as our profession navigates the benefits and risks of this technology.

Generative artificial intelligence can be transformative, introducing new efficiencies into drafting, research and practice administration. However, its limitations continue to be exposed, as judicial officers uncover persistent examples of hallucination in documents presented to them during proceedings.

Deputy Chief Justice McClelland will expand on his view that AI cannot replace legal judgment, expertise or ethical responsibility. His Honour will be one of ten serving or former judicial officers to present at this year’s Specialist Accreditation Conference.

There’ll be further scrutiny of the role of AI with the President of the Personal Injury Commission, the Hon. Judge Gerard Phillips, participating in a panel discussion in the Personal Injury stream about the increasing use of the technology in NSW’s compulsory third party insurance scheme.

In the Family Law stream, the Hon. Justice Juliet Behrens of the FCFCOA will feature in a panel discussion with a focus on the challenges arising in family law matters involving allegations of family violence.

Former Supreme Court Justice the Hon. Philip Hallen SC will lead a two-hour session in the Elder Law, Wills & Estates stream, which will explore emerging issues in succession law, including the increasingly complex intersections between succession law and family law, and how de facto relationships are treated across both jurisdictions.

The Property Law stream features an impressive array of experts, including Peter Newton SC of 11 St James Hall, who will open the stream with an update on significant NSW property law decisions of this year, as well as the impact of the Law Society and Real Estate Institute of NSW’s 2026 edition of the Contract for the Sale and Purchase of Land.

Yet again, this Conference promises to provide advanced learning tailored for Accredited Specialists, and those who might be wanting to explore whether obtaining official recognition as an expert in a chosen area of law is for them.

I’m looking forward to welcoming attendees in person for Day 1 of the Conference at the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour on Thursday, 13 August. As usual, Day 2 will be a half day of online sessions on Friday 14, August.

For cutting-edge legal insights from experts, engaging panels and meaningful networking opportunities, secure your place here to be part of the conversation that shapes the future of specialist practice.

Ronan MacSweeney, President, The Law Society of NSW