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Bell CJ releases statement on PLT survey

NSW CJ Andrew Bell has released a statement in relation to the findings of a recent survey re practical legal training in NSW, the Hon Margaret White AO appears on Centre for Public Integrity podcast.

April 14, 2025

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Daily wrap  

  • Judge, Barrister, Royal Commissioner, Navy Commander & Deputy Chancellor: the Hon Margaret White AO - Centre for Public Integrity - Apple Podcasts

    Margaret White AO was the first woman judge appointed in Queensland. Before that, she had already had a remarkable career from working in Barbados, as an academic and then on two of Australia's most significant constitutional law cases (Tasmanian Dams and Mabo).

    Following a lengthy period on the bench, Margaret then went on to run Royal Commissions investigating the racing industry and child protection in the Northern Territory. She reflects on their effect and how they emphasised her belief in the importance of robust regulation and accountability.

    Currently, she advocates for anti-corruption and democratic integrity as a director for the Center for Public Integrity, motivated by the belief that democracy requires constant vigilance and active participation to thrive.
     

  • How one of our finest legal scholars was cancelled in the court of #MeToo [The Australian paywall]

    Dyson Heydon was not accused of sexual assault, or pedophilia, or gruesome serial murders. Nonetheless, his grave punishment came in fast and furious as progressives sought not only his cancellation, but his obliteration.
     

    • “Kirby does not shy away from the scandal that enveloped Heydon.

      ‘As for whatever Justice Heydon may have done (if anything) that redounds to his personal discredit, I leave that to others. He has not been found guilty, after due process, by a judge and jury,’ he says.”
       

  • 2025 CCCS Constitutional Law Conference - Melbourne Law School
    24-25 July 2025
     

  • MA v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW); AD v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) - NSW Caselaw
    [14] In August 2022 a set of the April conference notes was disclosed by the ODPP to the accused’s lawyers. An application was then made by the accused for a permanent stay of the prosecution on the basis that the April conference constituted impermissible coaching of a central prosecution witness (the complainant)… That application was heard by Pickering SC DCJ in February 2023. His Honour declined the stay, giving ex tempore reasons in which (among other things) he was highly critical of the conduct of the solicitor advocate (TB)…
    [52] I am not satisfied that, on the proper application of the calculus of risk approach, a suppression order should be made in relation to either of the individual applicants on the ground set out in s 8(1)(c). This is for the following reasons.

    [55] The calculus of risk approach requires consideration of the nature, imminence and degree of likelihood of harm occurring. I accept that the medical report opines that identification of the solicitor advocate is likely to “aggravate” his mental health condition, placing him at risk of “worsening symptoms of anxiety and low mood” and “increased risk of experiencing suicidal ideation” but the former (worsening symptoms of anxiety and low mood) is not in my opinion harm of a severe nature and the latter (increased risk of experiencing suicidal ideation) does not suggest a real or imminent likelihood of actual self-harm. It should be remembered that the solicitor advocate has experienced those conditions in the past and has been able to adopt coping mechanisms for them. Embarrassment, discomfort or shame at his conduct or what others might say or think about his conduct is not sufficient, as already noted. All professionals make mistakes from time to time. Hopefully, they learn from them. In the present case, the inappropriate conduct has been acknowledged and all parties can now move on.
      

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