Criminal Law Conference: Legislative Updates, Evidence & Advocacy

You know that winning sexual and family violence cases at trial is challenging, and being an effective advocate in the limited time available to showcase your case is crucial. This is your opportunity to hear from extraordinarily barristers and members of the Judiciary while exploring landmark cases. Gain expert analysis of the new non-strangulation legislation and youth justice updates.  Attend and gain essential knowledge in understanding forensic DNA evidence and practical skills for client management and handling ethical Issues. All you need to do is attend, either in person or online, to gain insights that will make your practice easier.

Friday, 28 March 2025
Practice Management & Business Skills
2.00pm to 3.00pm Client Management: Challenges Faced by Criminal Lawyers and How to Tackle Them

 

Presented by Emma Turnbull, Director, Emma Turnbull Lawyers, Accredited Criminal Law Specialist’ Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2024

4.00pm to 4.15pm Afternoon Tea
Professional Skills
4.15pm to 5.15pm Forensic DNA Updates: How to Advance Your Case Using Forensic Evidence

 

  • DNA: What can it tell us, structure and function, inheritance
  • Forensic DNA typing: systems currently in use, risks and benefits
  • DNA profiling process: what to look for
  • Interpretation
  • Emerging techniques 

Presented by Anna Davey, Director, Forensic Foundations International

Description

Attend and earn 7 CPD units including: 
3.5 units in Substantive Law 
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility 
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills 
1.5 units in Professional Skills  
This program is based on VIC legislation

Session 1: Legislative Updates, Evidence & Advocacy
9.00am to 9.50am KEYNOTE ADDRESS: A VIEW FROM THE BENCH

 

Presented by His Honour Judge Frank Gucciardo, County Court of Victoria

9.50am to 10.40am The New Non-Fatal Strangulation Laws

 

Presented by Sam Norton, Partner, Stary Norton Halphen; Preeminent Criminal Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2024 

10.40am to 10.55am Morning Tea
10.55am to 11.45am High Court’s Enunciation of Principle in the Pell Case and Its Impact on Sexual and Family Violence Cases, as Well as the de Facto Reversal of Traditional Burdens of Proof

 

How challenging is it to win a trial in sexual assault cases?  

Gain insights from Robert Richter KC, one of Australia’s foremost advocates, as he examines the pivotal High Court ruling in the Pell case. This landmark decision has revealed the difficulties in sexual assault trials and highlighted the complexities of conducting these cases before juries.  

  • Explore how this case has influenced criminal practice, emphasising the critical importance of accurate evidence gathering
  • Address the unique challenges faced by criminal lawyers in this field, where today many defendants feel that the traditional burdens of proof are no longer applied to them, following the court's ruling that reversed these conventional standards 

Presented by Robert Richter KC, Crockett Chambers 

11.45am to 12.30pm Youth Justice Updates

 

Presented by Nick Jane, Partner, Stary Norton Halphen, Accredited Specialist Children’s Law 

Professional Skills
12.30pm to 1.15pm How to Be an Effective Advocate in 10 Minutes

 

You have just 10 minutes to catch their attention and address what will define the case. How can you be effective? Philip Dunn KC is undoubtedly one of the most gifted advocates who can guide you through this challenge. Drawing on his extensive experience, Philip will share practical insights that will help you engage your audience and communicate your key points with clarity and impact.  

The not to be missed presentation will cover aspects of closing addresses in criminal and Magistrates Court proceedings. 
Presented by Philip Dunn KC, Barrister, Crockett Chambers

Session 2: Ethics, Professional Skills & Practice Management for Criminal Lawyers
Ethics & Professional Responsibility
3.00pm to 4.00pm Handling Ethical Issues, Stress and Trauma when Practicing Criminal Law

 

Presented by Paul Galbally, Partner, Galbally O’Bryan, Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law; Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2024

Presenters


His Honour Judge Frank Gucciardo, County Court of Victoria


Robert Richter KC, Crockett Chambers
Robert is the former chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, former President of Victorian Council for Civil Liberties, former part-time Law Reform Commissioner for Victoria and former member of Bar Council. Joint Editor, with Ken Hayne (former Justice Hayne of the High Court), Melbourne University Law Review ;Signed Bar Roll in Victoria 1971; Appointed Queen’s Counsel 1985. He is a full time practice specialising in criminal law and associated fields; Adjunct Professor of Law at Victoria University since 2015.


Nick Jane, Partner, Stary Norton Halphen


Paul Galbally, Partner, Galbally O’Bryan
Paul Galbally is a partner at Galbally & O'Bryan as well as an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist. He has been retained in some of the country's largest and complex criminal law proceedings which for the most part have involved white collar crime. He acted on behalf of a co-accused in the Elliott foreign exchange trial. He was retained in the Pro-Image proceeding and recently acted on behalf of Glenn Wheatley and is currently retained by Mr Andrew Lindberg, the former CEO of AWB, in regard to a civil penalty proceeding brought by ASIC and Mr Martin Kemp, a former director of ABC Learning Centres Ltd.


Sam Norton, Partner, Stary Norton Halphen
Sam is an accredited criminal law specialist and is ranked in the Doyle’s guide as a Preeminent Criminal Defence lawyer and a Leading Traffic and Drink Driving lawyer – the highest ranking categories available. He has extensive experience as an advocate having appeared in trials, plea hearings and bail applications in the Supreme and County Courts as well as innumerable matters in the Magistrates’ Court. Sam was admitted to practice in 2001, and obtained specialist accreditation in Criminal Law 2008. He is the Senior Vice President of Liberty Victoria and is a former Co-Chair of the Criminal Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV). In 2015 he received a Service Award from the Law Institute in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the LIV and to the profession. Sam has also previously been a Volunteer at the Inner Melbourne Legal Service.


Philip Dunn KC, Barrister, Crockett Chambers
Philip Dunn QC has 40 years experience as a criminal barrister. He has appeared in many of Australia's most significant cases and inquiries. His clients have included John Elliot, Brian Quinn, Gary Ablett, Peter Walker, Maritza Wales-King, James Ramage, Alan Bond, Carmen Lawrence, Warren Anderson, John Kizon, WA Gypsy Jokers, WA Coffin Cheaters and Laree Jane. Philip has served as a member of the Bar Council for 10 years and has served on its executive committee and ethics and advocacy training committee. Philip is the Chairman of Foley's List and member of the Bar Association's Equality and Diversity Committee.


Emma Turnbull, Director, Emma Turnbull Lawyers
Emma Turnbull is a Director and founding partner of Emma Turnbull Lawyers Pty Ltd. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Monash University. Emma is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria having passed the examinations in 2014. Emma has dedicated her legal career to being a defence lawyer. A passionate and forceful advocate, Emma appears regularly in all courts across the Victorian criminal law jurisdiction. This includes appearing as Counsel and instructing solicitor in Supreme and County Court trials, mental impairment trials, County Court and Magistrates’ Court plea hearings and bail applications. Emma’s team of lawyers are in Court every day of the week and the office runs one of the largest practices of indictable crime and jury trials in Victoria. The firm is the largest criminal law firm headed by a female in Victoria. She is an industry leader and a forceful advocate for change and development of criminal law practice. Emma has been acknowledged year after year as a leading criminal defence lawyer in Doyle’s Annual Guide (as has the firm), has won ACQ Partner of the Year and is a current Finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards. Emma continues to undertake professional development to refine her skills as an advocate and firm Director. During her time as an employee at some of Victoria’s largest criminal law firms, Emma had the opportunity to obtain experience, skills and knowledge that has enabled the firm to develop into the success that it is today. As a result of her consistently thorough preparation and commitment to achieve the best possible outcomes, Emma has established a large and loyal client base. She maintains an excellent network of experienced and highly regarded barristers and other forensic professionals who assist in the preparation of cases for court. Emma is admitted in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia. Emma maintains membership with the Law Institute of Victoria, is a former member of their Criminal Law Executive and current member of the General Criminal Law Committee. During her Masters of Law studies, she was a student representative on two academic committees at Monash University. Emma has completed postgraduate study and major research in Advanced Evidence, Sentencing, Corporate and White Collar Crime, Cybercrime, Terrorism and Children’s Laws. She is committed to ongoing professional development and this is evidenced by her excellent academic results.

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Criminal Law Conference: Legislative Updates, Evidence & Advocacy

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All Sessions
Friday, 28 March 2025
9.00am to 5.15pm Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 7
$795.00
$556.50
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Morning Session
Friday, 28 March 2025
9.00am to 1.15pm Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 4
$505.00
$353.50
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Online 20241213 20250328

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Afternoon Session
Friday, 28 March 2025
2.00pm to 5.15pm Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 3
$420.00
$294.00
Face to Face 20241213 20250328

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Online 20241213 20250328

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On Demand 20241213 20250328

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Venue
InterContinental Melbourne

495 Collins Street, Melbourne 

Directions

Nearest Public Transport:

  • By train: Southern Cross Station (5-minute walk)
  • By subway: Southern Cross Station (5-minute walk)
  • By Tram: Trams on routes 12, 109, 11 and 48 all pass the hotel along Collins Street, get off at the William Street stop (3-minute walk). The hotel is located within the free tram zone which means travel within the CBD on the tram is free.
Parking Information

Valet Parking is only available for Resident Guests.

Nearby Parking: 
Wilson Parking - View locations and rates here