Get ready to dive into the core of criminal law advocacy. In this practical webinar, you'll gain valuable insights into the do's and don'ts of advocacy, as seen through the eyes of barristers, Magistrates and Judges. We'll also explore the art of criminal trial and written advocacy, helping you refine your persuasion and defence skills within the courtroom. Elevate your abilities and ensure you fulfill your mandatory professional skills units' requirements with these practical sessions, designed to advance your practice to the next level.

Presenters

Mr. Ken Averre MBE, Barrister, Forbes Chambers
Kenneth Hall Averre MBE is a member of Forbes Chambers and practices predominantly in the area of criminal law. Kenneth appears at all stages of the criminal process including the Local Court, Children's Court, the District Court, the Supreme Court and in appeals to Court of Criminal Appeal NSW. He has appeared in appeals to the Full Court of the Federal Court (extradition) and on a special leave application to the High Court. Kenneth has advised on and appeared in numerous appeals against conviction and/or sentence in the Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW) ranging from murder to sex offences and he is also a member of the Specialist Barrister Panel (Complex Criminal Law) Panel, Legal Aid General Crime Panel and the Children's Crime Panel. Kenneth started his career as a solicitor working in a small largely criminal practice in England before leaving to work as a volunteer in the Solomon Islands in the office of the Public Solicitor. He was appointed as the Public Solicitor of Solomon Islands at the time of the Australian led intervention mission in 2003 before coming to the NSW bar.


Prof Nicholas Cowdery AO KC FAAL, Visiting Professorial Fellow
Nicholas Cowdery AO KC FAAL Former Director of Public Prosecutions for NSW (1994-2011), former Barrister (1971-2017), former Associate Judge of the District Court of NSW (periods in 1988, 89 and 90), inaugural member of the NSW Sentencing Council (2003-2016), inaugural Co-Chair Human Rights Institute of International Bar Association (1995-2001), former President International Association of Prosecutors (1999-2005) and Chair of its Senate, former President and Committee member NSW Council for Civil Liberties, Adjunct Professor of Law at Universities of Sydney and of NSW, a director of the Justice Reform Initiative, member of the NSW Bar Association Criminal Law Committee and the Law Council of Australia National Human Rights Committee.


Ms. Sian McGee, Barrister, Maurice Byers Chambers
Sian McGee is a barrister at Maurice Byers Chambers. She practices in criminal, inquests/inquiries and administrative law. She appears for defendants, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and the State of NSW in criminal and related civil proceedings, including trials, appeals and High Risk Offender matters. She also advises and appears as counsel assisting the Coroner in inquest proceedings.


Mr Rajiv Baldeo, Barrister, Seventh Floor Garfield Barwick Chambers
Rajiv is an experienced advocate, having practiced for 10 years in criminal law and other related areas. He appears in trials as well as appeals against conviction and sentence in appellate jurisdictions. Rajiv has also appeared before commissions of inquiry and inquests, in professional disciplinary proceedings and extradition proceedings. In addition, he has a developing practice and interest in Workplace, Health and Safety investigations. Before coming to the Bar, Rajiv practiced as a Solicitor Advocate at a leading criminal defence firm specialising in white collar and corporate crime. There, he appeared as advocate and instructing solicitor in all jurisdictions in a range of serious and complex matters, including murder, sexual assault, large scale drug importation and money laundering. His practice included advising and appearing for individuals and corporations regarding liability across state and federal legislation.


Mr. Damien Mahon, Senior Lawyer, Hugo Law Group
Damien Mahon is a senior lawyer at Hugo Law Group. Damien provides representation and advice in State and Commonwealth criminal law matters. As a confident and proficient advocate, Damien has demonstrated success acting in a diverse range of matters including for persons charged with murder and offences of violence, terrorism offences, sexual assault, drug offences, fraud, and white-collar crime. Damien also acts for individuals and companies at ICAC inquiries and in confiscation of assets proceedings. Damien instructs counsel in complex criminal trials. Damien has a genuine passion for criminal defence law.


Dr Felicity Gerry KC, Crockett Chambers
Labelled “The International Dynamo”, Felicity has been recognised for her work across jurisdictions on career defining cases including in the UK Supreme Court on #jointenterprise law, the Australian High Court on rights to second appeal, a due diligence memorandum on investment listing on SGX for Justice for Myanmar, which led to the $82m divestment of the Golden City scheme and for her role in saving a trafficked woman from death row in Indonesia. She is leading the legal petition for Christine Keeler to receive a posthumous pardon after the fallout of one of Britain’s biggest ever political scandal, The Profumo Affair, in the 1960s. Her successful petition for mercy for Zak Grieve, a young Indigenous man in Australia, has been described as “rock star lawyering”. She was admitted in the International Criminal Court (ICC) & Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague, in England & Wales and Australia (Victoria & High Court Roll) and has had ad hoc admission in Hong Kong and Gibraltar. Felicity is currently defending at the ICC on the Al Hassan team and has led for the defence in major terrorism and homicide trials. Felicity holds a PhD on human trafficking and is regularly called upon to handle complex and sensitive matters at trial and on appeal. She has appeared on all major news channels and is an expert on issues relating to women and law, technology and law and reform of justice systems.


Ms. Stephanie Beckedahl, Senior Lawyer, Hugo Law Group
Stephanie started her criminal law career in NSW. Since then, she has practiced exclusively as a criminal defence lawyer in both NSW and the ACT, appearing in court on an almost daily basis. She is an experienced and highly skilled solicitor-advocate who is regularly called on to appear in complex criminal hearings, as well as to instruct barristers in District/Supreme Court trials involving charges such as sexual assault, drug trafficking and fraud. In 2023 Stephanie was recognised by members of the profession as a Leading Criminal Defence Lawyer in the 2023 Doyle’s Guide – Canberra and was nominated as a Finalist for the Criminal Law 30 under 30 Awards. Stephanie is a fierce advocate who works doggedly for her clients both inside and out of the courtroom. Keen to always achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients, she has a history of success running contested hearings, particularly in matters where she is advancing technical and legal arguments. She tailors her approach for every client, understanding that each case is unique and each client has different needs and expectations .