The Third National Access to Justice and Pro Bono Conference, kicking off on Friday (27 August), will see more than 50 speakers from Australia and abroad come together for a two-day conference to discuss issues pertaining to legal aid and pro bono work.

"Access to justice in this country is clearly at the crossroads - and that is what this conference is all about," said Law Council president Glenn Ferguson.

"All Australians, regardless of their means, must have access to legal services. Sadly, that is not the case. This event is an opportunity for lawyers, both national and international, and other participants in the justice sector to come together to discuss the way legal aid and pro bono work is undertaken and how its co-ordination and delivery can be improved."

The event is organised by the Law Council of Australia, the Queensland Law Society and the National Pro Bono Resource Centre, and keynote speakers will include the United States Ambassador, Jeffrey L. Bleich, the chief executive officer of the Pro Bono Institute in Washington, DC Esther Lardent, Professor Frank Brennan of the Institute of Legal Studies at the Australian Catholic University, Dr John Falzon, chief executive officer of the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council, Mark Dreyfus QC MP, and Alan Kirkland, chief executive officer of Legal Aid New South Wales.

The conference will cover four distinct streams, including criminal justice, pro bono, civil and family law and working together/emerging needs.

The program will also address issues such as access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Full program and registration details are available at www.a2j10.com.au