Traffic Law Forum

Navigate through the essentials of traffic law matters from the practical strategic concerns in client management that is crucial for your practice through to a technical understanding of toxicology with expert forensic toxicologists. You will gain guidance on the major offences, an examination of the leading cases, unpack the use of section 14, Mental Health Act applications and alternative approaches for defences. The all-important essentials for a traffic law practice.

Friday, 21 March 2025
Description

Attend and earn 4 CPD units including: 
3units in Substantive Law 
1 unit in Professional Skills 
This program is based on NSW legislation

Chair:

Maria Walz, Principal, Maria Walz Law, Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law, Doyle’s Recommended Traffic & DUI Lawyers 2024

11.15am to 12.15pm Section 14, Mental Health Act and Traffic Offences

 

  • Section 14: an overview
  • Pointers for successful Section 14 Applications
  • Utility of Section 14 for traffic lawyers
  • Alternative Approaches  

Presented by Jonathan Taylor, Barrister, Trust Chambers 

9.00am to 10.00am Back to Basics or Not So Basic?

 

  • Key things you must be able to advise clients on if you are practicing in traffic law
  • The most common questions (and where to find the answers)
  • Understanding the legislative schemes
  • Practical preparation and practice management for your matters 

Presented by Angela Cooney, Consultant Solicitor; Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law, Recommended Traffic & DUI Lawyers, Doyle’s Guide 2024  

10.00am to 11.00am Exploring Serious Traffic Offences

 

  • The major offences
  • Leading cases
  • Applications for your practice 

Presented by Andrew Tiedt, Director, J Sutton Associates, Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law; Leading lawyer, Traffic and Criminal Law, Doyle’s Guide 2024 

11.00am to 11.15am Break
Professional Skills
12.15pm to 1.15pm The Effective Use of Expert Toxicology Reports in Drug and Alcohol-Related Traffic Cases

 

Join Dr Michael Robertson, as he guides you through the effective use of expert toxicology reports in drug and alcohol-related traffic cases. With practical examples, he will illustrate the types of reports that can be prepared to assist in traffic matters drawing on his expertise as a Consulting Pharmacologist and Forensic Toxicologist. 
Presented by Dr Michael Robertson, Director and Clinical Consultant, IFC Forensics

Presenters


Angela Cooney, National Practice Director, Armstrong Legal
Angela Cooney is the National Practice Director of Criminal Law and is responsible for supervising and managing her Criminal Law team in addition to her own caseload. She practices in both NSW and the ACT. Angela is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist. Angela is a confident and formidable advocate for her clients. She commonly appears in very complex and serious matters but is able to assist clients with all kinds of criminal and traffic offences. Angela is an experienced court advocate having appeared in the Local and District Court, the Court of Criminal Appeal as well as in federal jurisdictions in a multitude of matters, including complex strictly indictable trials. With over a decade of experience in criminal law, Angela understands the often interrelated issues that arise in criminal matters and is able to guide clients through emotional and difficult times with sensitivity. Angela is passionate about providing clients with high quality and easy to understand legal advice and her experience allows her to provide clients with a first-class service. Not only is she a technically impeccable lawyer who understands the law – she is approachable and personable and provides her clients with representation to the highest quality.


Jonathon Taylor, Barrister, Trust Chambers
Jonathon Taylor was called to the Bar in 2004. He practices in Traffic and Criminal Law (including AVO proceedings). He is very experienced in handling all kinds of traffic matters (whether they be speeding, unlicenced driving or drink driving cases, or more serious matters such as dangerous driving causing death). He has appeared in every Court in the Sydney metropolitan area and has built up a considerable knowledge of each of the magistrates and the way they handle different cases. He has also handled a wide range of criminal matters including drug possession and supply cases, assault cases, larceny, money laundering and child pornography related offences. In addition he regularly handles bail applications and is able to appear on these matters throughout the Sydney metropolitan area both on weekdays and weekends if required. Jonathon Taylor also practises in consumer disputes and a range of building and construction matters in the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal.


Maria Walz, Principal, Maria Walz Law
Maria is an accredited specialist in criminal law and has been practicing for nearly twenty years, in both private practice and at Legal Aid NSW. In the last two years she has spent significant time in the Northern Territory, as the solicitor instructing Dr Peggy Dwyer, Senior Counsel assisting the Territory Coroner in two long running inquests: one the Inquest into the police shooting death of a young Aboriginal man in Yuendumu in November 2019, the other a landmark domestic violence inquest into the deaths of four Aboriginal women killed by their intimate partners. She is recognised as a preeminent Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyer, a leading Australian Criminal Defence Lawyer and a recommended NSW Traffic and DUI Lawyer (Doyles Guide 2024).


Andrew Tiedt, Director, J Sutton Associates
Andrew is a Director and Principal of J Sutton Associates. He is a Law Society of NSW Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law. Andrew has acted for thousands of clients who have been accused of criminal offences, including appearing for persons charged with murder, sexual offending, fraud, serious driving offences, drug supply and possession, violence, and internet-based offences. He is an experienced trial advocate and frequently appears without counsel in indictable matters, including jury trials. Andrew has been recommended by the Doyle’s Guide for both criminal and traffic law since 2019. Andrew is also the curator of the popular reference website www.trialdirections.com.au


Dr Michael Robertson, Director and Clinical Consultant, IFC Forensics
Dr Robertson is a nationally recognised expert in the effects of drugs and alcohol with over 30 years of professional experience. He prepares reports and testifies in all Australian States and Territories and the Asia Pacific region across all Courts levels. Dr Robertson is able to assist in a range of matters where drugs or alcohol may play a role, including Criminal Law, Family Law, Personal Injury and Medical Negligence. In relation to traffic matters, Dr Robertson routinely provides assistance in relation to determining blood alcohol concentration at the time of an incident, including where post-incident alcohol consumption is involved, the level of driving impairment that may occur at various blood alcohol concentrations and the impact of drugs including prescription medications, and whether the breath or blood testing has been performed correctly. He is the current Chair of the Standards Australia Urine Drug Testing Committee and the former Chair of the Standards Australia Oral Fluids Committee, providing him with expertise as to the proper method of undertaking these types of tests across Australia. Dr Robertson's early research in relation to the involvement of drugs in driving led to the implementation of roadside drug testing in Victoria and then throughout Australia.

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Traffic Law Forum

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DELIVERY MODE BELOW

Single Session
Friday, 21 March 2025
9.00am to 1.15pm Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 4
$505.00
$353.50
Face to Face 20241213 20250321

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Venue
Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park

161 Elizabeth Street, Sydney 2000

Directions

Nearby transport options:

Bus Station: Hyde Park, Park St, Stand C 

Metro Station: Gadigal Station

Train Station: St. James Station 

Parking Information

Parking is not included in your registration. Here are some nearby parking options:

Sheraton Hotel Car Park - Secure car park entry is via Castlereagh Street, it has 8 electric charging stations. Early Bird Parking Rate is $45 if you arrive before 9am and depart before 6pm. Further information can be found here.

201 Elizabeth St Car Park - Located a 2 minute walk away from Sheraton Grand. Entry via Castlereagh Street. Click here for rates. 

Wilson Parking Citigroup Centre Car Park - Located a 5 minute walk away from Sheraton Grand. Entry: 271 Pitt St. Click here for rates.