Author adminPosted on Categories Criminal law, Human rights2 Comments on District Court permanently stays Volkers prosecution The District Court has decided to not allow charges of indecent dealing to proceed due to the long history and unreasonable delays in the matter.
On 26 March 2002, Scott Volkers was arrested in relation to alleged indecently dealing of a 12 year old female swimmer in 1987.
On 16 June 2002, Volkers was charged with indecently dealing of a 13 year old female swimmer in 1984 and 1985.
On 25 July 2002, he was committed to stand trial on seven counts of indecent dealing involving the two complainants. Continue reading “District Court permanently stays Volkers prosecution”
Author adminPosted on Categories civil litigation, Legal profession, litigation, Professional fees3 Comments on The law of lawyers bills in Queensland
Introduction
For a very long time in Commonwealth legal systems, the legal profession has been regulated for the benefit of clients of lawyers and the public at large. Among other things, there has been a recognised public interest in protecting those liable to pay legal fees from overcharging by lawyers. One of those protections is and has been the legal requirement for a bill to be provided so that the client can seek advice on the fees and charges.
As a result, one of the many modern obligations that lawyers in English legal systems have to comply with in the course of legal practice is to provide clients and any other persons liable for their fees with proper bills before such persons can be liable for or sued for such fees. Continue reading “The law of lawyers bills in Queensland”
Author adminPosted on Categories Criminal law2 Comments on Chris Dawson to stand trial for wife’s alleged murder
Nearly 40 years ago, Lynette Dawson mysteriously vanished. Yesterday, her husband Chris Dawson was committed to stand trial for her murder. Continue reading “Chris Dawson to stand trial for wife’s alleged murder”
Author adminPosted on Categories Criminal law, Legal profession2 Comments on Why Nicola Gobbo informed against her own clients
This blog has previously reported on former barrister Nicola Gobbo aka “Lawyer X”, who was also a police informant, often informing on her own clients and helping the police secure convictions against them.
During the Royal Commission centred around her antics, the topic moved to her motives.
Why did she do it?
Why did she betray her own clients, many of whom are extremely dangerous, egregiously breach legal ethics and throw the legal profession in Victoria into disrepute? Continue reading “Why Nicola Gobbo informed against her own clients”
Author adminPosted on Categories civil litigation, Industrial relations, Professional discipline2 Comments on Bangalow lawyer Owen Hughes successfully sued for sexual harassment A Bangalow solicitor’s sexual harassment of a single mum who worked for him has proven to be costly, and may well end his legal career.
This blog had previously reported on the Owen Hughes sexual harassment case brought by a former employee of his law practice.
Junior/trainee solicitor Catherine Mia Hill began working with Owen Hughes’ Bangalow based law firm Beesley and Hughes Lawyers in May 2015. The evidence showed that that he thought Hill was attractive, wanted to be in a relationship with her and that he communicated that to her. Hughes offered to represent her in a mediation for her own family law matter, and she agreed. Continue reading “Bangalow lawyer Owen Hughes successfully sued for sexual harassment”
Author adminPosted on Categories civil litigation, Personal Injury2 Comments on Claimant loses injury case for being out of contact to his solicitors
The Claimant Warren Jonathan was injured in a motor vehicle accident on 4 August 2012. He subsequently through his solicitors sent to the CTP insurer RACQ a Notice of Accident Claim form under the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994. The insurer confirmed that the form was compliant with Motor Accident Insurance Act requirements and later admitted liability in full for the accident. Continue reading “Claimant loses injury case for being out of contact to his solicitors”
Author adminPosted on Categories civil litigation, Judiciary2 Comments on Judge McGill SC goes out in a blaze of glory in appeal decision Judge John McGill SC has been a stalwart of the District Court for over 20 years. His final judgment, an appeal against a decision of Magistrate Suzette Coates, has made him leave the bench with a bang and not a whimper.
Those who are familiar with civil litigation in the Magistrates Court know that it is an unfortunate reality that occasionally litigants will receive “rough justice”. This is often due to the lack of knowledge of civil litigation and/or the flippant attitudes of some Magistrates. This observation in no way is intended to criticise the vast majority of Queensland Magistrates, who are conscientious and serve their state well. Continue reading “Judge McGill SC goes out in a blaze of glory in appeal decision”
Author adminPosted on Categories civil litigation, Industrial relations, Liberty, litigation, Unfair dismissalLeave a comment on Israel Folau settles claim with Rugby Australia
Following a marathon mediation, former Wallabies star Israel Folau and Rugby Australia have settled their dispute over the termination of Folau’s employment with Rugby Australia after he made controversial comments on Twitter about homosexuality.
The case was notable and of political significance because it highlighted the tensions between the rights of employers to dismiss workers to preserve their own reputational interests, freedom of religion, and employees being able to publicly express their own opinions outside of work. Continue reading “Israel Folau settles claim with Rugby Australia”
Author adminPosted on Categories civil litigation, Legal profession, litigation, Professional fees2 Comments on Sterling Law sets leading precedent on itemised bills With its latest big win, Sterling Law is establishing its place as an elite Queensland litigation firm, and a force to be reckoned with.
When Joanne Murdock deliberately remained uncontactable to her solicitors for an extended period of time, she received a bill from them for all the work they had done for her.
The bill set out the charges item by item, particularising the date, the time spent and the person who performed the work, but for most items only provided very concise descriptions of the work performed. Examples later complained of included “attendance with you”, and “telephone attendance with you”. Continue reading “Sterling Law sets leading precedent on itemised bills”
Author adminPosted on Categories Criminal lawLeave a comment on John William Chardon guilty of manslaughter A Brisbane jury has today found John William Chardon guilty of manslaughter over his wife’s disappearance in 2013.
Continue reading “John William Chardon guilty of manslaughter”
