An Open Letter to the Chief Magistrate of NSW on the Centralised Bail Practice Note
Dear Chief Magistrate Allen, I write to raise concerns regarding a key aspect of the Practice Note for the new Bail Division of the NSW Local Court. I have already raised alarms regarding other aspects of this radical change, however this letter focuses...
The Centralised Bail Saga in NSW Continues
Oh dear, this is getting very very messy. Commencing next week in NSW, all new bail matters will be dealt with centrally by a new Bail Division of the NSW Local Court. I have already written and spoken extensively about...
Bail Centralisation and the Virtual Bail Court: NSW Staggers into a Reform Overreach
The NSW Government is about to introduce a new bail regime where all of those who are charged with a fresh offence have their first appearance via AVL or telephone - centralised and staffed in Sydney. This is part of...
McBride Heads to the High Court, After His Draconian Sentence Stands on Appeal
ACT Court of Appeal Justice Belinda Baker took the bench on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to deliver the outcome of Australian Defence Force whistleblower David McBride’s appeal against his conviction and sentence, to simply announce that the appeal had been...
Prosecution Appeals Against Judge’s Decision to Allow Killer Cop to Avoid Prison
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) will file an appeal against the inadequacy of the sentence imposed on a police officer who avoided a prison sentence despite being convicted of manslaughter for fatally tasering a 95-year old...
The Criminal Justice System’s Failure to Deal with Mental Health
Positive mental health is important to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle, which can in turn lead to positive social, economic and physical health outcomes as well as reduce the likelihood of criminal offending. But sadly, mental health issues continue...
Appeals to the District Court Against Local Court Convictions in NSW
A former NRL player who went on to become a professional boxer has successfully appealed his conviction over allegations of breaking and entering, with the appeal court finding ‘suspicion is no substitute for proof’. In the Local Court A magistrate...
What Factors Are Considered When Determining Whether to Pursue a Retrial in NSW?
Former NRL star Jaryd Hayne walked from prison a free man last week, after having his convictions for sexual assault offences quashed on appeal. His fight for his freedom and reputation has been drawn out and complex, and the Office...
Parliament Finds Policing Mental Health Crises Is Deadly, But Major Parties Resist Reform
A carer recently explained in a submission to the NSW mental health access parliamentary inquiry, that on calling NSW police to a crises her mental health patient was having, eight officers arrived, who appeared to have no understanding of such...
NSW Police Watchdog to Review Lawfulness of Bail Compliance Checks
After a person is arrested and charged with a criminal offence in New South Wales, police will decide whether the defendant will be released on bail from the police station, or remanded in custody to face a bail application in...
