Inquiries

The Inquiries practice group advises and represents clients in the full range of inquisitorial proceedings, including coronial inquests, royal commissions, special commissions of inquiry and standing commissions.

We provide specialist representation to agencies and public officers, including advice and assistance with:

• responding to requests and notices to produce documents or information
• preparing witness statements and preparing to give evidence in public hearings
• complex issues arising in inquisitorial proceedings, including issues of privilege, and the intersection with criminal proceedings
• appearing before large-scale inquisitorial proceedings of public significance.

Our expertise is informed by experience in both assisting inquirers and representing government agencies in these proceedings. This allows us to anticipate issues and develop informed, strategic approaches in the best interest of our client.

Examples of our work for clients

• Inquiry into the convictions of Kathleen Folbigg: the CSO was instructed as Solicitor Assisting the Honourable Reginald Blanch AM QC in the inquiry into the convictions of Kathleen Folbigg for the murder, manslaughter and grievous bodily harm of her four children.
• Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse: representing the interests of the State of NSW, from a whole of government perspective.
• Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety: representing the interests of the State of NSW including NSW Health.
• Assisting the State Coroner in the Inquest into the deaths arising from the MH17 air crash.