The third day of the 1st Global Summit of Hellenic Lawyers unfolded at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall on Wednesday, July 9, with an ambitious program of keynote addresses, high-level panels, and philosophical legal discourse.
The overarching theme, “Safeguarding Democracy, the Rule of Law and Justice – Global Challenges and the Role of Artificial Intelligence,” continued to serve as the intellectual foundation for the day’s discussions.
The morning began with a panel discussion (Session A) on “Ensuring the Rule of Law and Defending Democratic Values – Shared Experiences and Challenges,” moderated by Ioanna Kalatzakou, former Vice President of the Athens Bar Association. Distinguished panellists included Ilias Klappas, President of the Piraeus Bar Association; Dr Costas Paraskeva, Associate Professor of Public Law at the University of Cyprus; Justice Emilios Kyrou AO, President of Australia’s Administrative Appeals Tribunal; and the Hon. Madeline Singas, Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals.
Following a welcome address by the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias, delegates reconvened for Session B: “Delimitation of Maritime Zones in the Eastern Mediterranean: Territorial Sea, Continental Shelf, and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).” Moderated by Alkistis Christofilou, Partner at Rokas Law Firm, the panel featured Dr Nicholas A. Ioannides, Cyprus’s Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, and Dr Ioannis Mazis, Emeritus Professor of Economic Geography and Geopolitics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
In a timely reflection on classical philosophy and its relevance to modern governance, Session C titled “From Pericles to Populism: Learning from Ancient Athens to Protect Modern Democracies,” captivated audiences. Moderated by Joseph Tsalanidis, President of the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association, the session included Justice Andromache Karakatsanis of the Supreme Court of Canada and the Hon. Anthe Philippides, former Justice of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal of Queensland.
A standout moment came during Session D, “Challenges to Judicial Legitimacy: The Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Public Trust in the Judiciary and Government Institutions.” The Honourable Peter Quinlan, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia and Lieutenant Governor of Western Australia, delivered a keynote address interweaving Aristotle’s concept of friendship with public trust in legal institutions.
Drawing on the legacy of philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, he said: “Trust is earned, takes time and closeness, and arises from care and affection. But what about public trust — the kind of trust placed in an institution or profession that is necessary for those institutions to function effectively?”
Quinlan contrasted the “elegant anonymity” of professional credibility, as described by philosopher Robert Sokolowski, with the intimacy of personal trust.
“The oath one takes to enter a profession… is the foundation of institutional trust,” he noted. “Under the rule of law, we are governed by objective legal standards, not by arbitrary or personal decisions.”
He was joined by Louiza Protopapa, President of the Limassol Bar Association, in a discussion that explored how trust in judicial systems must be actively nurtured.
The afternoon resumed with Session E: “Best Practices in Safeguarding the Rule of Law Domestically and Internationally in the Face of Global Threats,” moderated by legal academic George Papadopoulos. Panelists included H.E. Alison Duncan, Australian Ambassador to Greece; Panagiotis Perakis, former President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE); Justice Helen Voutsinas of New York State’s Appellate Division; and Nicolas Constantinides, President of the Kyrenia Bar Association.
The day concluded with a forward-looking discussion on humanitarian law in Session F, “Legal Developments in Areas of Challenge: Migration/Asylum Governance and Climate Change.” The session was chaired by Adamantia Katsaouni, Founding Partner of Katsaounis & Associates. Dr Markos Karavias, Director of the Mediterranean Migration and Asylum Policy Hub at EPLO, and Christina Hioureas, Global Chair of International Litigation & Arbitration and UN Practice at Foley Hoag LLP, provided expert insight on the intersection of human rights, climate change, and legal responsibility.
As the third day wrapped up, it was clear that the summit was not merely a gathering of legal professionals, but a global forum addressing some of the most urgent challenges facing democratic societies today.
