D7.1
Tracks
Stream D
| Friday, October 30, 2026 |
| 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
| Upper Room D (RG) |
Overview
Shifting the dial: Wellbeing in the Victorian Legal Sector | 60 mins | Panel
Presenter
Ms. Diya Dey
Court Services Victoria
Shifting the dial: Wellbeing in the Victorian Legal Sector
4:30 PM - 5:30 PMAbstract
The nature of legal work creates a distinctive psychological health and safety challenge. Exposure to traumatic events and content, challenging interactions with clients and members of the public, and significant cognitive and emotional demands can be inherent psychosocial hazards. The sector is increasingly looking beyond individual wellbeing and resilience to ask a more fundamental question: how do we prevent harm through better work systems and organisational practices?
The introduction of Victoria’s Psychological Health Regulations 2025 has now set the mandate for action. In the legal sector, pivotal decisions in Kozarov v Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria v Court Services Victoria [2023] have also served as additional catalysts for change. But what we hear less about is what has happened since and the progress that has been made. The Victorian legal sector has come a long way since with whole-of-sector change being driven through the legal regulator in collaboration with professional associations and the profession, driving tangible shifts towards sustainable change. There is growing recognition that lasting change requires action not only at the individual level, but in how work is designed, how organisations are led and how the legal system works together.
Join leaders from the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSB+C), Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) and Court Services Victoria (CSV) for an interactive discussion exploring:
· From individual wellbeing to systemic change: the Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change
· Rethinking inherent risk: managing exposure to trauma and redesigning work in a profession steeped in tradition
· Lessons from practice: sharing practical examples and navigating barriers
· Collaborative commitment to action: leadership and shared learning throughout the legal system.
The introduction of Victoria’s Psychological Health Regulations 2025 has now set the mandate for action. In the legal sector, pivotal decisions in Kozarov v Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria v Court Services Victoria [2023] have also served as additional catalysts for change. But what we hear less about is what has happened since and the progress that has been made. The Victorian legal sector has come a long way since with whole-of-sector change being driven through the legal regulator in collaboration with professional associations and the profession, driving tangible shifts towards sustainable change. There is growing recognition that lasting change requires action not only at the individual level, but in how work is designed, how organisations are led and how the legal system works together.
Join leaders from the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSB+C), Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) and Court Services Victoria (CSV) for an interactive discussion exploring:
· From individual wellbeing to systemic change: the Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change
· Rethinking inherent risk: managing exposure to trauma and redesigning work in a profession steeped in tradition
· Lessons from practice: sharing practical examples and navigating barriers
· Collaborative commitment to action: leadership and shared learning throughout the legal system.
.....
Diya is an experienced senior leader and organisational psychologist with deep expertise in building healthy, high performing workplaces. She has consulted across diverse sectors on leadership, culture, organisational reviews, psychological risk, vicarious trauma and workload management.
Diya is the Director of Health, Safety and Capability at Court Services Victoria, where she leads the organisation’s health and safety, learning and development, and diversity, equity and inclusion functions. Her work focuses on evidence based strategies that enhance capability, wellbeing and organisational culture across the Victorian Courts.
A longstanding member of the College of Organisational Psychologists, Diya has served in several leadership roles, advocating for psychologically healthy and inclusive workplaces and the sustainability of the profession. She is also a Board approved Supervisor, passionate about developing students and early career psychologists and strengthening the next generation of the profession.
Felicite Flynn
Shifting the dial: Wellbeing in the Victorian Legal Sector
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM.....
Felicite Flynn is a Wellbeing Manager at the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) Victoria. With over 20 years of experience in mental health, organisational wellbeing, and psychosocial risk management, she specialises in psychological safety, trauma-informed practice, and the design of mentally healthy workplaces. Felicite has led the development of an integrated wellbeing system within the OPP and is passionate about helping organisations create environments where people feel safe, respected and supported to thrive, and contribute meaningfully.
Lucy Fraser
Shifting the dial: Wellbeing in the Victorian Legal Sector
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM.....
Lucy Fraser is Head of Policy, Programs and Education at the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner (VLSB+C). She brings extensive experience in leadership, systems change and organisational development, with a strong focus on wellbeing, innovation and the future of work. In her previous role, Lucy established and led the VLSB+C’s Lawyer Wellbeing Program, which included the creation of the Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change ((link: Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change | VLSB+C)) and the Wellbeing Guidelines for Legal Workplaces ((link: Wellbeing Guidelines for Legal Workplaces | VLSB+C)) Lucy is a passionate lifelong learner and holds Master’s degrees in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and in Conflict Resolution and Mediation.
Session chair
Diya Dey
Court Services Victoria
