Thursday, 23 July 2026 | 10:00am - 11:30am | In-Person & by Webinar 
1.5 CPD units (Professional Skills)

Presenters: Emma Peters, Cowell Clarke and Marinella Marmo, Flinders University

Modern slavery remains significantly under-identified in Australia despite growing evidence of its presence across industries, migration pathways, family settings and supply chains. Lawyers are uniquely positioned to advise organisations on legal risk and compliance obligations, identify indicators of exploitation, advise vulnerable clients, and contribute to effective referral pathways.

Presenters will examine the Australian legal framework, indicators of exploitation, ethical and professional responsibilities, and the obligations imposed on businesses under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), including due diligence, reporting requirements, and emerging regulatory developments.

This session introduces the Educating for Change Law and Criminal Justice module, a nationally recognised educational initiative developed by Flinders University, ACRATH, and Adelaide University. Drawing on contemporary research, lived experience and Australian legal frameworks, the session explores how modern slavery intersects with legal practice and highlights practical tools to strengthen professional capability.

Objectives
Participants will:
• Understand the forms and prevalence of modern slavery in Australia.
• Recognise indicators of exploitation relevant to legal practice.
• Develop confidence in responding appropriately and referring clients to specialist services.
• Understand key obligations and reporting requirements under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth).
• Identify practical steps organisations can take to manage modern slavery risk and strengthen compliance frameworks.

About the Presenter: 
Emma Peters is a Director in Cowell Clarke’s ESG and Corporate teams, specialising in environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance and strategy, with particular expertise in modern slavery, bribery and corruption, whistleblowing, and sustainability. Drawing on her experience as in-house legal counsel, she advises organisations on governance frameworks, risk management, and regulatory compliance, and is a regular presenter on ESG developments across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Professor Marinella Marmo is a leading expert in human mobility, human rights, gendered criminology and modern slavery. A Professor at Flinders Law School, she is Chief Investigator on multiple research projects examining contemporary forms of modern slavery in Australia, including forced marriage, and contributes to the development of state and national policy initiatives. An award-winning academic and educator, Professor Marmo has published extensively on transnational crime, criminal justice and human rights, and is regularly sought for her expertise by governments, policymakers, and the media.

Registration Fees:
Member (admitted more than three years): $118
Junior Member (admitted less than three years): $90
Platinum / Student Member: Free
Non-Member: $155
Other: Login to see your registration fee

Please note: Recordings of webinars are not guaranteed, as availability depends on presenter copyright permissions. In some cases, recordings may be provided exclusively to registered attendees.

To avoid missing out, we recommend registering for the live session. If you are unable to attend live, please let us know in advance and we can confirm whether a recording has been approved for release by the presenter.