Friday, 16 May 2025
Professional Skills
Bail Issues, Strategies and Complexities
- What do trial lawyers need to know?
- Dealing with police, courts, mental health professionals and families
- Strategies when parental support is lacking
- The presumption against bail
- The complexities of representing clients with cognitive impairments or mental health issues
Presented by Carmen De Marco, Barrister, Higgins Chambers
Description
Attend and earn 0.5 CPD unit in Professional Skills
This program is based on QLD legislation
Chair
Kerala Drew, Barrister, Holmes Chambers, Vice President of the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland
Presenters
Kerala Drew, Barrister, Holmes Chambers
Kerala commenced at the private bar having practised as a solicitor in criminal, family, domestic violence and child protection law. Kerala accepts briefs in all stages of criminal and family law matters, and across all jurisdictions. Kerala moved to Australia having achieved a First Class Honours Degree from Queen Mary, University of London and the University of Hong Kong. Prior to joining the private bar, Kerala began her legal career at a busy private defence firm in Redcliffe, appearing regularly as a duty lawyer, and also instructing Counsel in the Children’s Court of Queensland, and District, and Supreme Courts. Kerala is currently the Vice President of the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland, and is active in promoting diversity throughout the profession. Kerala prides herself on her warm, down to earth nature, and her ability to achieve the very best outcomes for her clients.
Carmen De Marco, Barrister, Higgins Chambers
Carmen practises predominately in criminal, regulatory, and family matters. Before commencing at the private Bar, Carmen practised for eight years as a Federal Prosecutor with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. Her current practice largely involves representing criminal defendants (adults and children) in respect of a range of State and Commonwealth offences including drug offending, violence, sexual assault, and property offences. Carmen routinely conducts matters on behalf of State and Federal government agencies concerning immigration, environmental matters, and criminal prosecutions. She also regularly represents parties involved in parenting and property disputes following separation.
