Gain a deep dive of the two recent cases that will impact all future FOI Applications. Hear first-hand from the legal teams who appeared in these significant cases heard in the Full Court of the Federal Court and the case law articulated surrounding s34(3) of the FOI Act. Understand the decisions and the implications for future FOI applications.
1.00pm to 1.30pm The Consequences of the Full Court decision in Warren v Chief Executive Officer, Services Australia [2024] FCAFC 73 (7 June 2024)
- The background and key facts of the case
- Analysis of s34(3) of the FOI Act
- Definition of “exempt documents” and its implications
- What constitutes a “cabinet deliberation or decision” and how it will affect you
- Consequences of the decision as it relates to the meaning of “officially disclosed”
- This matter has not been appealed
Presented by Jacinta Lewin, Principal Solicitor, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers; solicitor for the successful Applicant Justin Warren
1.30pm to 2.00pm Full Court decision in Attorney-General (Cth) v Patrick [2024] FCAFC 126 (25 September 2024)
- Key facts and the legal issues in dispute both at first instance and on Appeal to the Full Court of the Federal Court
- Understand determination of whether a document is “an official document of a Minister”
- This decision is still within the appeal period
Presented by Bridie Murphy, Senior Associate, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers; solicitor for the successful Respondent Rex Patrick
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Presenters
Bridie Murphy, Senior Associate, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
Bridie Murphy is an experienced senior associate based in Maurice Blackburn’s social justice practice in our Melbourne office. Bridie is a dedicated advocate for access to justice and ensuring the law serves everyone, not only those who can afford it. Bridie is adept at applying legal skills developed in commercial practice to strategic human rights litigation and fighting for social justice outcomes that benefit the community at large. Prior to joining the social justice practice in 2021, Bridie spent five years working in Maurice Blackburn’s employment and industrial relations team, listed by the prestigious Doyles Guide as the only first-tier law firm for employee & trade union representation. Bridie has also gained experience working in Maurice Blackburn’s compensation, superannuation and insurance departments. Since joining the social justice practice, Bridie has worked on a range of complex human rights cases. This has included claims for asylum seekers that suffered harm while detained on Manus and Nauru, seeking government accountability for victims of war crimes and in relation to the release of government documents and discrimination claims on behalf of vulnerable members of the community.
Jacinta Lewin, Principal Solicitor, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
Jacinta Lewin is a Principal Lawyer in the social justice practice of Maurice Blackburn's Melbourne office. Her main practice areas are administrative law, human rights law, and complex tort litigation. She was previously the National Practice Manager of Maurice Blackburn's Comcare Practice. Jacinta has also worked as a senior legal advisor at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC). Jacinta's combination of experience, skill and empathy is evident in the consistency of the results she obtains. She has litigated numerous successful cases in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Federal Court, and High Court of Australia. Jacinta also actively works and volunteers in the policy space. She holds several leadership positions in the legal profession, including as a board member on the Victorian Legal Services Board. She is passionate about her clients, collaboration, and innovative models of achieving legal outcomes.
