By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim NSW government ministers are required to “pursue and be seen to pursue the best interests of the people” of this state to “the exclusion of any other interest”, the preamble to the NSW Ministerial Code of Conduct asserts in its first paragraph. The current code was enacted in September… Read more »
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim In 1996, Mr D’Orta-Ekenaike was charged with rape. So, the Melbourne man sought legal assistance from Victoria Legal Aid, which subsequently retained the services of a barrister. And despite the accused claiming innocence, this barrister advised him to plead guilty, as he had no defence. D’Orta-Ekenaike then pleaded guilty… Read more »
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim At 10.22 am on 10 August 2017, ten NSW police officers conducted a raid of the Grime2Shine carwash in the western Sydney suburb of Blacktown. The business was co-owned by the brothers Danny and Ranny Shaitly, who’d both fallen short of the law in the past. On a second… Read more »
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim In carrying out its operations, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) follows the procedures set out in the ODPP Prosecution Guidelines. This article is the final in a series summarising the processes and principles set out in the document, which govern the independent body that prosecutes… Read more »
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim On 25 January 2017, an argument broke out between three siblings, who were attending the nursing home where their mother lived. The dispute involved Yvette Court claiming her brother Robert Rathswohl and sister Lisa Davies had left all the care of their elderly parents up to her. Rathswohl and… Read more »
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is this state’s independent prosecuting body. Established under the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1986 (NSW) (the DPP Act), the ODPP prosecutes serious offences committed against the laws of this state on behalf of its people. The ODPP is… Read more »
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim The Local Court Practice Note Crim 1 is a document that sets out how the NSW Local Court organises its proceedings when it comes to trying criminal matters summarily. The practice note was updated on 23 October this year, and this article and those preceding it outline its content…. Read more »
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim The decade-long debate in NSW around foetal personhood laws continues as NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and attorney general Mark Speakman have released exposure draft legislation seeking to establish a circumstance of aggravation for criminal offences perpetrated against pregnant women. Released on 10 November, the draft Crimes Legislation (Offences Against… Read more »
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim Alleged leader of a southwest Sydney dial-a-cocaine ring Sarah Rutherford was released on bail on 13 May this year, after being remanded in prison for close to three months, following a late February raid on her Greenacre home, which turned up the illicit substance and drug paraphernalia. The 30-year-old… Read more »
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim Personal visits for inmates in NSW correctional facilities have been suspended since 16 March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And while this suspension is preventing the spread of the virus, it’s also taking an emotional toll on those inside. These circumstances have also cut off a vital route… Read more »
