Be guided through a practical, skills-focused roadmap for decision-makers navigating the complexities of administrative law. Across interactive sessions, you will explore how to make sound administrative decisions, understand the sources and limits of their authority and apply principles of bias and natural justice to ensure fairness and transparency. Uncover best practice for writing defensible decisions with guidance on clarity, logic and common drafting pitfalls, supported by model templates and checklists. Gain insights into judicial review and accountability, examining key grounds for challenge, standards of review and lessons from recent high-profile cases, Equip yourself with the tools to make legally robust, transparent and defensible decisions in any administrative context.

Presenters

Claire Alexander, Senior Associate, Russel Kennedy
Claire acts on behalf of various government clients and statutory authorities. Claire specialises in professional conduct, regulatory compliance and administrative review proceedings. Claire brings significant government experience to her role, having worked within the Department of Justice and Community Safety and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Most recently, Claire co-managed the legal team at the Judicial Commission of Victoria. Claire also acts in migration and refugee law matters as part of Russell Kennedy’s Pro Bono Practice.


Catharine Thorpe, Barrister, List G Barristers
Catharine is a barrister at the Victorian Bar, practising in public and commercial law with particular expertise in constitutional law, administrative law, statutory interpretation, human rights, and privacy and information sharing. Prior to joining the Bar, Catharine was the Managing Principal Solicitor in the Constitution and Advice team at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office and practised in public and commercial law at Maddocks. She was also Associate to the Honourable Justice Stephen McLeish at the Victorian Court of Appeal. Catharine developed and co-authored the Charter of Human Rights Bench Book for the Judicial College of Victoria and chaired the inaugural editorial committee.

Georgina Rhodes, Barrister, Ah Ket Chambers
Georgina practices in public and administrative law, regulatory law, quasi-criminal and criminal law. She acts for government (State and Commonwealth) and private clients in various matters, including occupational health and safety, crimes mental impairment, disciplinary and professional standards, worker screening, disability, child protection, criminal charges, intervention orders, and inquests and inquiries. Georgina provides advice to Government Departments and Statutory Authorities in relation to statutory interpretation, legislative reform, information sharing, subpoenas and integrity matters. Georgina is currently involved in the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings, as one of the Counsel Assisting Team led by Ms Elizabeth Bennett S.C.

Kylie Walsh, Principal, Russell Kennedy
Kylie is the Principal with Russell Kennedy Lawyers and is a litigation lawyer with over 10 years’ experience. Kylie acts on behalf of various government clients and statutory authorities and specialises in prosecution, enforcement, disciplinary and administrative review proceedings.

Nilanka Goonetillake, Barrister, Aickin Chambers
Nilanka is a commercial and public law barrister with a specialty in employment and discrimination. Nilanka practices in a broad range of commercial disputes including insolvency, contract disputes and consumer claims. Nilanka’s employment law practice includes general protections claims, underpayments and civil penalty provisions under the Fair Work Act. Nilanka’s public law practice includes claims concerning statutory interpretation, judicial reviews and anti-discrimination legislation. Since coming to the Bar, Nilanka has practised in a range of commercial and public law matters.