Open and Shut Case: Open Justice, Closed Courts and Suppression Orders for Criminal Lawyers

This is a recording of session 2 of the 2025 Foley's February criminal law series.

In this session, Ruth Champion, Natalie Simpson & Louis Andrews discusses the principals of open justice and presents five key questions to ask before applying for a suppression order, emphasising a  need for thorough case preparation, effective decision-making, and having a draft order ready to minimise interference with court procedures.

Ruth Champion appears for the prosecution and defence, and, in both trial and appellate matters. Ruth has particular experience in subpoena proceedings including on claims of public interest immunity and legal professional privilege. 

Natalie’s primary practice is in criminal law, but she also accepts briefs in quasi criminal, family law and public law matters. Natalie has significant experience in a range of crime types including complex drug matters, child sex offences, human trafficking, and white-collar crime.

Louis Andrews has a broad practice in criminal law and public law.  In his criminal law practice, he accepts briefs to prosecute and defend.  Louis has specialised experience in the intersection of the criminal law and media law, including contempt and suppression orders.

Issues of Complicity – How to be Guilty Without Pulling the Trigger

This is a recording of session 1 of the 2025 Foley's February criminal law series.

In this session, Foley’s barristers Neill Hutton SC, Daniel Ryan & Megan Styles address how individuals can be held criminally responsible for an offence without directly committing the act, through aiding, abetting, or encouraging the principal offender. This session covers legal interpretations and rulings concerning complicity in criminal offences under specific sections of the law.Top of FormBottom of Form

Neill Hutton SC has specialised in conducting criminal trials for over 20 years, he is a Victoria Legal Aid Criminal Trial Preferred barrister and holds the Indictable Crime Certificate.

Daniel Ryan accepts briefs from both prosecution agencies and defence and has significant experience in the conduct of bail applications, plea hearings, contested hearings, Contest Mentions, intervention order applications, forensic procedure applications.

Megan Styles accepts briefs in a broad range of matters. She has a particular interest in matters involving commercial and white-collar crime, asset confiscation, proceeds of crime, law enforcement, insolvency law, banking and finance and financial investigations/compliance.

In our first installment of the Daze in Court podcast of 2025, Foley's List barrister Rohan Hoult invites Daniel Myers from Schetzer Papaleo Family Lawyers to share his insights and experiences in the family court from a solicitor's perspective.

List member Laura Colla is joined by Olivia Grobtuch from Kennedy Partners and Stephen Foley of eBrief Ready to share insights from both barristers' and solicitors' perspectives on best practices for managing electronic documents in court. They explore some pros and cons of using eBrief Ready and discuss effective handling of eBriefs, Tender Bundles, Court Books, and other court documents and how to achieve the best result and a good experience for all concerned.

In this episode, Lucy Line and Ruben Clark discuss the principles of statutory interpretation, with a particular focus on how those principles can be applied in a regulatory environment. First, a detailed overview of the tools and tricks that can help practitioners read and construe legislation, emphasising the importance of this skill for all practitioners.  Then, a practical examination of how to interpret statutory 'notice to produce' powers, to assist regulators in drafting these notices, and to guide recipients in their responses.

In the final Daze in Court episode before the new year, Rohan sits down with list member Laura Colla to discuss best practices on handling 'sovereign citizen' clients, using eBriefs, and comment on the use of direct vs indirect language in affidavits. 

In this episode, List Member Rohan Hoult discusses the newest amendments to the Family Law Act, as well as best practices for interacting with judges in public settings, and the introduction of the Defaulter's List.

In this brand new season, List members Marcus Hoyne and Liz Main discuss the new Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, exploring existing rights to privacy in caselaw and how the introduction of the new tort could significantly impact the right to privacy.

In this new Daze In Court episode, Rohan, Sophie & Nick explore key issues surrounding add backs and binding financial agreements in family law. The discussion covers important considerations and practical insights for legal practitioners dealing with these areas.

In this episode of Daze in Court, Foley's List members Rohan Hoult is joined by Belle Lane to take a deep dive into the legal process for family law matters relating to gender dysphoria, discussing what is gender dysphoria; how it's relevant to the Courts; and how to approach these sensitive issues to achieve the most effective outcomes.