Criminal Law Conference
Hear from senior members of the judiciary and criminal law experts. Walk away with real learning outcomes as you focus on practical aspects in the court process, understand both The Drug Court and running a matter in the Local Court from the perspective of judiciary members. Unpack the new bail and sexual assault laws, analyse sentencing decisions, mental health and its intersection with criminal offences. Refresh your approach to CPD core areas with these innovative topics. 233N43
Description
Attend and earn 7 CPD units including:
3.5 units in Substantive Law
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
1.5 units in Professional Skills
This program is based on NSW legislation
Session 1
Hot Topics in Criminal Law
Chair: Ian Lloyd KC
9.00am to 9.50am Update on the Bail Laws: The New s22B Provision
Focus on the new s22B provisions of the Bail Act including the following:
- The legislative history
- The interpretation of the section by the Courts
- The consequences of the new section for the EAGP Scheme
- The effect of the provision on the sentencing regime
Presented by Talitha Hennessy, Barrister, Sir Owen Dixon Chambers
9.50am to 10.40am Navigating the Changing Landscape of Sexual Assault Laws
- Affirmative consent laws
- Legislative changes to the CPA
- s. 97A Evidence Act
- Sexual assault communications privilege
Presented by Helen Christinson, Partner, Hugo Lawyers
10.40am to 10.55am Morning Tea
Professional Skills
10.55am to 11.30am THE DRUG COURT and HOW IT WORKS
Presented by Her Honour Judge Jane Mottley AM, The Drug Court of NSW
11.30am to 12.20pm Taking Mental Health into Account in Criminal Offences
Australian courts take different approaches to mental health issues affecting criminal liability. In NSW, trial courts determine some of these matters at trial, e.g., s 23A Crimes Act. Discuss the practical steps that might be taken when the circumstances of the alleged offending suggest that the accused was mentally impaired and the care to be taken in obtaining instructions to take such steps
Presented by Andrew Boe, Barrister, Black Chambers
12.20pm to 1.10pm Sentencing Law: Recent Decisions of the NSW CCA
- Implications for the application of Qutami and Bugmy
- The effect of family hardship and “Covid time" on sentences
Presented by Jane Paingakulam, Barrister, Sir Anthony Mason Chambers
1.10pm to 1.15pm Closing Comments from the Chair
Session 2
Ethics, Professional Skills and Practice Management
Chair: Carol Younes, Partner, Hugo Law Group; Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law; Pre-eminent Criminal Defence Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2022
Professional Skills
2.00pm to 3.00pm Running a Guilty Plea or Defended Hearing in the Local Court
Presented by Deputy Chief Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis, Local Court of NSW
Ethics and Professional Responsibility
3.00pm to 4.00pm Ethical Issues when Acting for Incompetent Clients
- Key principles in dealing with clients who may lack mental capacity, including legal and ethical requirements
- Signs to look for and how to approach the issue of mental capacity with clients – how do you make an assessment and decide whether referral to a health professional is necessary?
- What to do either before court or at court when the issue arises, including if an issue becomes apparent during a hearing
Presented by Kieran Fitzgerald, Barrister, Wardell Chambers
4.00pm to 4.15pm Afternoon Tea
Practice Management and Business Skills
4.15pm to 5.15pm Wellbeing for Criminal Lawyers
- Thinking about being “busy” in a different way
- Developing and maintaining a sustainable and enjoyable practice
- Managing your diary
- Implementing changes in diet, sleep and exercise, and how to do it right now!
- How to feel great about yourself
A Panel Discussion:
Facilitated by: Michelle Karim, Director of Karim + Nicol Lawyers, Accredited Criminal Law Specialist and Organisational Wellness Coach
Panellists include:
Phoebe MacDougall, Solicitor, MacDougall and Hydes
Sarah Khan, Principal Solicitor and Founder, Khan Law and Associates
Trudie Cameron, Practice Director, Armstrong Legal
Angela Cooney, National Practice Director, Armstrong Legal
Presenters
Ian Lloyd KC
Ian Lloyd KC was called to the NSW Bar in 1977. He took silk in 1989. He is also a member of the bar in Hong Kong, New York and England & Wales. Mr Lloyd is one of Australia's leading silks practising in crime. He specialises in fraud, corruption and environmental crime cases. Mr Lloyd was during the 1980s a Senior Crown Counsel with the Hong Government and in the early 1990s the Senior Crown Prosecutor for NSW. Mr Lloyd is also a former Justice of the Court of Appeal of the Fiji Islands and Conjoint Associate Professor with the University of Newcastle Law School. He has previously lectured in law at the University of Technology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Notre Dame, Sydney.
Talitha Hennessy
Talitha is an experienced Criminal Lawyer having appeared for both the Defence and Prosecution. She originally worked as a private defence solicitor in Central Western NSW and appeared in Local Court hearings, bail applications, interlocutory applications and sentence matters. Before her admission, she was an Associate to Justice Cohen at the Family Court in Sydney. Talitha then took a position as a solicitor for the Aboriginal Legal Service in Dubbo where she appeared regularly in the Children’s Court; Local Court; and District Court throughout Central Western NSW. She has appeared in over 100 hearings in the Local Court and Children’s Court, and has also appeared in numerous severity and conviction appeals and sentence matters in the District Court. Most recently Talitha worked as solicitor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. She regularly appeared on behalf of the Crown in summary hearings in the Local Court. Talitha comes to the bar having already appeared for the Crown as an advocate in a number of District Court Trials. In addition, she has also prepared and instructed in murder trials and other complex matters. She has also appeared in Family Law applications in the Federal Circuit Court, and has appeared in Care and Protection matters in the Children’s Court.
Helen Christinson
Helen Christinson is a Senior Associate at Hugo Law Group and practices exclusively in Traffic and Criminal Law. Whether appearing in bail applications, sentence matters, defended hearings or other applications in the Children’s Court or Local Court, conviction and severity appeals in the District Court, or high-profile trial and sentence matters for State and Commonwealth offences, Helen is a detail-focused, empathetic, energised and tenacious advocate. She has a wide range of legal experience from Local Court traffic matters to complex murder trials in the Supreme Court. In 2021 and 2022 Helen was recognised by members of the profession as a Criminal Law Rising Star in the Doyle’s Guide – Sydney.
Her Honour Judge Jane Mottley AM
Appointed as Magistrate in 2000 following a 10 year career working in Local Courts & 10 years with Legal Aid. As a Magistrate appointed to courts at Downing Centre, Burwood & the Parkes Circuit. Also held a commission as a Children’s Magistrate, presiding principally at Bidura & also the Youth Drug Court. In 2009 appointed as Deputy Chief Magistrate Downing Centre Local Court. While holding judicial office appointed as a Part-time member of the Law Reform Commission working on a variety of references including Bail, Sentencing & Early Appropriate Guilty Pleas. Also contributed to a number of working groups & committees including: NSW Corrective Services Women’s Advisory Committee, MERIT Steering Committee, Child Sex Assault Taskforce, Judicial Commission Ngara Yura committee & Domestic Violence Death Review team.
Andrew Boe
Andrew Boe is a barrister who has appeared in trial courts in most jurisdictions of Australia and in appeal courts in NSW, Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and in the High Court. Prior to coming to the Bar in 2009, Andrew operated law practices in Brisbane, since his admission in 1989. Andrew specialises in the criminal jurisdiction however, he has also appeared in administrative law, family law and child protection cases, coronial Inquest. commissions of inquiry and defamation trials.
Jane Paingakulam
Jane Paingakulam was called to the Bar in 2009. Since then she has practised predominantly in Criminal Law across a broad range of matters, including white collar crime prosecutions. Jane appears for both for the Crown and the defence. Since 2015, Jane’s practice has been substantially comprised of criminal appellate work, appearing for both the offender and the Crown. In addition regularly appearing unled in the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal, Jane has appeared in appellate courts in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory and as junior counsel in the High Court of Australia. Jane was admitted as a solicitor in 1996. Jane worked in the Australian Public Service for almost 14 years across 5 agencies. Jane primarily held roles with an investigative or regulatory function, including over 5 years in the Enforcement Directorate of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Jane was the NSW Regional Director of the Australian Public Service Commission from 2008-2009. Since, she has provided advice to government agencies, both State and Commonwealth on a range of public sector issues.
Carol Younes
‘Carol is an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law and founding partner of Hugo Law Group. Since 2016 Carol has consistently been recognised as preeminent in the Doyle’s Guide for Criminal Lawyers in Sydney and Australia, ranking her in the top band of criminal lawyers in the country. Carol appears in the superior and appellate courts in some of the most notorious criminal cases. She works tirelessly on matters representing clients charged with murder, serious sex offences, complex frauds, tax evasions, drug manufacture supply and importation, and terrorism offences. She also appears in complex hearings, sentence proceedings and bail applications’.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis
Deputy Chief Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis holds a Master of Laws in criminal justice and was appointed as a Magistrate on 15 December 2010 and as a Deputy Chief Magistrate on 15 December 2021. Prior to his initial appointment, his Honour was the principal of a busy law firm in suburban Sydney, practising primarily in criminal, business and property law as well as commercial and corporate litigation. He was a member of the Professional Conduct Committee and the Fidelity Fund Management Committee, and later a Councillor of the Law Society of NSW. His Honour initially presided at the Downing Centre and Blacktown, before being appointed to the Bourke and Brewarrina country circuit. Thereafter, he presided at Parramatta for an extended period of time, during which he also managed the DPP and civil lists. More recently, he presided at Fairfield Local Court, before returning to the Downing Centre. Deputy Chief Magistrate Tsavdaridis has, in his own time, regularly delivered presentations to community legal centre volunteers, Community Correction officers, members of the profession at inner west and western suburbs continuing legal education seminars and advocacy workshops, and faculty of law careers nights. His Honour has published many written judgments across the Court’s civil and criminal jurisdictions, including as an electoral arbiter for university student unions.
Kieran Fitzgerald
Kieran specialises in criminal defence and prosecution before judges and juries, care and protection, regulatory prosecutions, inquests and commissions of inquiry and intentional torts. Kieran has appeared as an advocate in superior and inferior courts, including appellate courts. He accepts briefs to appear in all Australian courts and tribunals, including in regional and remote locations. Kieran draws on the extensive knowledge and experience he gained as a solicitor at the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. During that time, Kieran spent almost five years working on high profile and complex prosecutions including tax fraud and money laundering, violent crime, sexual offences, drug offences, child pornography, and extradition proceedings. Kieran has also worked as a Senior Research Officer at the Judicial Commission of New South Wales, where he built on his experience as a solicitor to gain an in-depth understanding of developments in criminal law in New South Wales.
Michelle Karim
Michelle joined Karim + Nicol Lawyers in 2019, when she was appointed Director. She is a highly experienced criminal defence lawyer. In 2015 Michelle’s experience and expertise was recognised by the Law Society of NSW as an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist. Whilst Michelle is passionate about all aspects of the law, she is most passionate about preserving the legal rights of the individual. She has a reputation as a fierce advocate in defending her clients and has enjoyed success in many high profile cases. Michelle is well regarded and trusted by the Judiciary and leading barristers. She has developed a strong network of specialist advisors to ensure her clients receive the highest level of service and support. Michelle has had the conduct of matters in the Local Court, Children’s Court, District Court and Supreme Court including the Court of Criminal Appeal. Michelle appears throughout Sydney metropolitan and regional NSW courts. Michelle was Chair of the NSW Rugby League Judiciary. She provides advice and advocacy in respect of sporting regulatory issues, including in relation to the Rugby League judiciary. She also advises clients under investigation or who have been charged both domestically and internationally. Michelle is a graduate of both the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney, and is admitted to practice in New South Wales and the High Court of Australia . She has lectured in Criminal Law at the University of Technology and has been a key figure in the organisation of continuing legal education in the profession. In 2021 Michelle was listed as one of NSW recommended criminal lawyers and traffic and DUI lawyers by Doyles Guide.
Trudie Cameron
Trudie Cameron is the Practice Director of Criminal Law (NSW) at Armstrong Legal. This role sees her responsible for supervising and managing the New South Wales Criminal Law team in addition to running her own criminal practice. Trudie is an accredited specialist in criminal law, practising in criminal law and traffic law. She also represents clients with respect to intentional torts matters involving proceedings against the NSW Police and/or Corrective Services. Trudie appears regularly in Local and District Courts in matters ranging from sentencing, defended hearings and severity and/or conviction appeals. Trudie has appeared as an instructing solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court. Trudie also appears in the Magistrates and Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory.
Angela Cooney
Angela Cooney is the National Practice Director of Criminal Law at Armstrong Legal and is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist. She manages a team of around 25 criminal lawyers and paralegals nationally, as well as managing her own case load. Angela is a confident and formidable advocate for her clients. She commonly appears in very complex and serious matters but is able to assist clients with all kinds of criminal and traffic offences. Angela is an experienced court advocate having appeared in the Local and District Court, the Court of Criminal Appeal as well as in federal jurisdictions in a multitude of matters, including complex strictly indictable trials. Angela is passionate about providing clients with high quality and easy to understand legal advice and her experience allows her to provide clients with a first-class service. Angela has been practicing for over a decade in Criminal Law, firstly working in regional NSW before starting with Armstrong Legal. She achieved Accredited Specialisation in 2017, and was a recommended Traffic Lawyer by the Doyle’s Guide in both 2021 and 2022.
Phoebe MacDougall
Phoebe has worked exclusively in the criminal law field for the past 6 years, beginning her legal career in a highly successful private boutique Sydney firm and more recently, she was employed at the NSW Public Defenders Office, working with the States leading Barristers on a range of high-profile serious criminal matters. Through this role she was able to assist in the representation of vulnerable clients often from low socio-economic and disadvantaged backgrounds providing her an acute awareness of how to help her clients navigate what is often the most challenging time in their lives. Phoebe has a varied practice, having instructed Counsel in the Land and Environment Court, District and Supreme Courts. Much of Phoebe’s practice is devoted to representing clients charged with matters in the Local Court ranging from traffic matters and drug possessions to assaults. In 2022, she was listed as one of the state’s rising stars in criminal defence law. She has also been recognised for her contribution to the legal community when she received an Australian Law Award at the 2020 Lawyers Weekly Law Awards and was a Finalist in the 2019 Women in Law Awards.
Sarah Khan
Our principal, Sarah Khan has an in depth and unique career in law. Although she did not start her career with the intention of specialising in criminal law, her exposure in the field and guidance from competent mentors, enhanced a passion she chose to pursue. She started as a paralegal in a boutique firm, and then as assistant to two prominent barristers (one of whom has been appointed to the District Court bench). Sarah then took on a tipstaff position with a Judge in the Supreme Court of NSW. She continued as an Associate with a variety of Judges for an additional year until she moved into private practice, once again specialising in criminal law. In addition to becoming a senior criminal law practitioner, Sarah was fortunate enough to also work in other areas of law, giving her a diverse set of skills and expanding her knowledge more broadly. Sarah regularly appears as an advocate and finds her passion and strength lies in the courtroom fiercely defending her clients. She is passionate about great results and having a strong presence in Court. She says “preparation and respect is key”. Sarah has appeared before the NSW courts in some of the State’s most important cases and continues to brief the country’s leading barristers in her matters. She also appears interstate. Sarah is an active member of her profession and volunteers her time with other organisations, promoting issues affecting her community or encouraging awareness amongst her peers. She is also a mentor to her junior colleagues and students whishing to pursue a career in law. She is approachable and called upon for advice regularly.
Venue
Cliftons - Spring Street
Level 3, 10 Spring Street
Sydney 2000
NSW
Australia
Parking Information
Parking not included in you registration. Here are some options below.
Secure Park 20 Bond Street - click here for rates
Wilson Park 1 O'Connell Street - click here for rates
Wilson Park 31 Bond Street - click here for rates
Directions
Nearby Public Transport:
Train Stations - Wynyard 400m OR Martin Place 500m
Bus Interchange - Clarence Street 450m
Ferry - Circular Quay 1.2km