Examine the duty of government agencies and their employees to assist and cooperate in inquiries and investigations such as Royal Commissions, Special Commissions of Inquiry, and ICAC, outlining the scope and limitations of this duty, model litigant obligations, strategic considerations, and the consequences of non-compliance.
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Descripton
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Ethics and Professional Responsibility
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Ethics and Professional Responsibility
2.30pm to 3.30pm Government Agencies’ Duty to Assist and Cooperate in Inquiries
Government agencies and their employees have a duty to assist and cooperate in inquiries and other investigations, such as those conducted by Royal Commissions, Special Commissions of Inquiry and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Such a duty is viewed as promoting accountability and transparency. Explore the scope and limitations on the duty of agencies and their employees to assist and cooperate with inquiries and investigations, including:
- Agencies’ roles in inquiries: model litigant and strategic considerations
- Means of assistance: document production, access to employees and lines of enquiry
- Individual employees’ duties
- Limitations on assistance and cooperation: immunities and privileges
- Consequences of non-compliance
Presented by Trent Glover SC, 11 St James Hall; Adjunct Professor, James Cook University
Presenters
Trent Glover SC, 11 St James Hall; Adjunct Professor, James Cook University
Trent is one of Australia’s leading public law barristers. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law in the College of Business, Law and Governance at James Cook University. Trent has a diverse practice, concentrating primarily on public law litigation, regulatory litigation and advising. He appears regularly in the Federal Court, and State and Territory Supreme Courts at appellate level and first instance around Australia. Much of his practice comprises complex and sensitive litigation that is the focus of media attention and parliamentary scrutiny. Trent has extensive experience in Royal Commissions and commissions of inquiry including as Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (also known as the Bushfires Royal Commission), and appearing recently for the State of New South Wales in the Disability Royal Commission and the Commonwealth of Australia in the Robodebt Royal Commission. He was recently appointed the first Counsel Assisting the Inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Trent is currently the Chair of the NSW Bar Association’s Human Rights Committee. He formerly served as a member of the Inquests and Inquiries Committee and on a professional conduct committee.
This seminar is part of a series
Government Law Series: Ethics, Practice Management & Substantive Law
In this Government Law series, you will cover three critical and timely topics for public sector practitioners, providing valuable insights to help public sector lawyers and decision-makers navigate complex obligations while promoting transparency, accountability, and effective governance. Don’t take a whole day out of the office, instead join us for an hour each over 3 weeks.
Description
Attend the full series and earn 3 CPD units including:
1 unit in Substantive Law
1 unit in Ethics and Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management
If you register for the full series as a live online product after the date of an individual session, you will be sent the recording for the sessions that have passed. Alternatively, you can register for individual sessions by following the links below.
View series listing
