In the Media

Second Appearance of Witness K Case before the ACT Magistrates Court

Dr Christopher Ward SC represented lawyer Bernard Collaery for the second appearance of the Witness K case on Wednesday, 7 November before the ACT Magistrates Court. 

Proceedings centred around the possibility of holding the trial in a closed court. 

More details can be found in articles from the Washington PostThe Canberra Times and The Australian.

Jennifer Mee on Best Lawyers list for 2019

Best Lawyers has recognised Jennifer Mee of 6 St James Hall Chambers in their 2019 list for her well-established work in energy law.

"I am honoured to have again been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Australia, Energy Law, for 2019. Thank you to everyone who supported me for this."

Jennifer has been practising as a lawyer for over 20 years, over 15 of which have been as a Partner at national and global law firms. She is now practising as a barrister at 6 St James Hall Chambers in a wide range of practice areas.

Madeleine Bridgett calls for law reform to Australia's organ trafficking laws

Currently in Australia organ trafficking laws which can be found in Division 271 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Commonwealth) do not have extraterritorial effect. This means there are no provisions in Australian law to protect people from organ trafficking and organ tourism which occur overseas by Australians. 

On 23 June 2017 The Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade commenced an Inquiry into Human Organ Trafficking and Organ Transplant Tourism. The inquiry examines how the Australian legal system deters organ trafficking and what more can be done to prevent this offence from occurring both in Australia and internationally.

Madeleine Bridgett, Co-Chair of the Business and Human Rights Committee for the Australian Lawyers For Human Rights (ALHR), and Kerry Weste, Vice-President of the ALHR, made submissions to the Inquiry which can be read here

Madeleine Bridgett was featured in today's Lawyers Weekly.

Michelle McMahon wins landmark case on compensation rights for residential park residents in NSW

After almost four years and eight separate proceedings, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) awarded sums of $260,000 and $240,000 for two women who were being evicted from their residential park due to a redevelopment of the land. In the initial proceedings, NCAT determined their compensation to be $85,000 & $62,000 respectively.

A significant issue in dispute involved the statutory construction of the compensatory regime and the elements to be included for valuation, which took the matter to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. Whilst this issue was being resolved, the relevant legislation was amended to broaden and clarify the compensation scheme. The Residents went back to NCAT and successfully argued that they fell within the transitional arrangements for the new law. This set the scene for a test case on how the new provisions would apply in practice.

In the final proceedings NCAT agreed that compensation should be based on a valuation of the residents dwelling under the "Point Gourde" principle being that the dwellings were to be valued as if the park were to continue in operation, was in reasonable condition and had reasonable amenities.

Michelle McMahon appeared for the residents.