Expert and Advisory Panel appointed for the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid
A panel of experts has been appointed to support Sir Christopher Bellamy QC (Chair) in examining the long-term sustainability of the criminal legal aid system.
From:
28 January 2021
The Expert and Advisory Panel, appointed by the Lord Chancellor, will provide support by testing and challenging the review’s emerging findings and recommendations.
Sir Christopher, who was appointed by the Lord Chancellor on 21 December 2020 will chair monthly meetings of the expert and advisory panel, beginning in February. Sir Christopher will submit his recommendations to the Lord Chancellor later this year and it is intended that the report will be published by the end of this year alongside the government’s response.
Brisbane firm fails to pause compensation hearing pending negligence suit
By Naomi Neilson|19 January 2021
The managing partner of a Brisbane-based firm has failed to convince the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to hold off on a compensation order pending a lawsuit alleging negligence that is currently being determined in the Magistrates Court.
Irish Bentley managing partner Zeke Bentley was unable to argue that a compensation hearing should be halted until the conclusion of a Magistrates Court trial. The Brisbane-based firm will instead continue fighting the allegation from agriculture landowners’ association MBRII that it was negligent, along with facing a costs order of $69,007.
Appointment Of Chief Magistrate
Police/Court
His Excellency the Governor, Martyn Roper, OBE is pleased to announce the appointment of Magistrate Valdis Foldats to the post of Chief Magistrate effective 1 February 2021, following Chief Magistrate Hall’s retirement.
The Judicial and Legal Services Commission (the “JLSC”) recently carried out an internal recruitment process wherein Magistrate Foldats was recommended as the successful candidate. His Excellency subsequently accepted the recommendation.
“I am pleased to appoint Magistrate Foldats as the next Chief Magistrate. I am confident that his skills, experience, knowledge, passion, and commitment will all serve him well as he takes up his new role. I look forward to watching his contributions towards future advancements in, and development of, the Summary Court” His Excellency said. “I would also like to publicly thank Chief Magistrate Hall for her commitment and dedication to the Summary Court over the past ten year
TT judge elected to International Criminal Court
Justice Althea Alexis-Windsor - FILE PHOTO
HIGH COURT judge Justice Althea Alexis-Windsor has been elected to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for 2021-2030.
She was one of six judges elected after eight rounds of voting which began on December 18.
There were six vacancies at the court.
Alexis-Windsor was elected in the eighth round with 86 of the 118 votes. She surpassed her rival from Tunisia, Haykel Ben Mahfoudh. Judges who are nominated to the ICC have experience either litigating or adjudicating cases before the International Criminal Tribunals and the ICC itself.
Every candidate for election to the court is also required to have established competence in criminal law and procedure, the necessary experience in criminal proceedings, whether as a judge, prosecutor or advocate, or have established competence in relevant areas of international law such as international humanitarian law and the law of human rights.