Strengthen your decision‑making and safeguard your outcomes. In this practical session, equip yourself to confidently apply procedural fairness in administrative decision making situations. Learn how to identify the true limits of your powers, avoid common pitfalls that trigger legal challenge and protect the integrity and usefulness of your decisions and investigations - including in compulsory examination settings. Then move from theory to action. Work through real-world scenarios, test your approach and walk away with clear, defensible strategies you can implement immediately. Paired with a targeted update on recent case law and its practical implications, this session ensures you don’t just understand procedural fairness but that you can apply it with confidence, consistency and legal rigour. 

Presenters

Daniel McCredden, Barrister, List G Barristers
Daniel has extensive experience in both fields, having previously practiced as a solicitor for 9 years in the Commercial Litigation Group at Freehills (now Herbert Smith Freehills) and then as a Principal Solicitor at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office.  He also served for a year as an Associate to Justice Sundberg at the Federal Court. Daniel practices widely in administrative, constitutional and regulatory law for both government and individuals.  As a government lawyer before coming to the Bar, Daniel acted for various government Departments and statutory agencies in judicial review and merits review proceedings, defending civil compensation claims and providing advice on a broad range of statutory duties, powers and prohibitions. His practice also includes both professional disciplinary and criminal work, having represented professional regulatory bodies and government investigators, including in corruption and integrity related matters.  He has appeared previously as a solicitor advocate in VCAT, the Magistrates’ Court and the Coroners Court.

Maria Macri, Managing Principal Solicitor, Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office
Maria has a broad prosecutions, investigations and administrative law practice representing government departments and statutory authorities. Her practices include regulatory prosecutions, administrative appeals and statutory interpretation across a diverse range of legislation. Maria also has experience in Royal Commissions and Inquiries representing State departments and Ministers, as well as being involved in large scale document production and advice and reviewing interim and final reports. She has provided specialised expert legal advice to statutory authority and local government clients for over 19 years. Maria has extensive experience conducting prosecutions and civil proceedings in various jurisdictions undertaking all aspects of the proceeding including advocacy. Maria has excellent communication skills and has established a reputation as a trusted legal advisor who is responsive to client needs and provides high levels of service excellence. As a former in-house lawyer, Maria understands the challenges faced by government organisations and the importance of receiving clear and practical advice to resolve issues. Prior to joining VGSO, Maria worked as an in-house lawyer at Knox City Council where she was responsible for conducting prosecutions, providing expert legal advice in relation to various Council function and responsibilities and coordinating Council's infringement review processes. Previous roles also include Senior Associate at a commercial law firm representing Council and Water Corporations, Lawyer - Department of Human Services and roles at Crown Solicitor's Office and Police Complaints Authority of South Australia.


Georgina Rhodes, Barrister, Ah Ket Chambers
Georgina practices predominantly in public and administrative law, regulatory and criminal matters, but accepts briefs in a range of other matters including general commercial, civil and common law. She has a broad practice with experience in commissions and inquiries, coronial inquests, compulsory examinations for investigative bodies, regulatory and general crime, disciplinary matters, and merits and judicial review. She has a particular interest in matters where commercial and common law intersect with criminal law and public law. Georgina has particular expertise in government regulation. She has undertaken a wide variety of advice work (both led and unled) for private and government clients in respect of administrative decision making, statutory interpretation and complex public law litigation. Georgina has a background in matters relating to children and vulnerable people, including; youth justice, crimes mental impairment, guardianship, NDIS, reportable conduct scheme, Working with Children Clearances and a Public Inquiry into institutional abuse. As such Georgina welcomes briefs relating to vulnerable clients, including common law institutional abuse claims. Georgina appears (both led and unled) in various State and Commonwealth Tribunals and Courts. She has practiced in Victoria and Tasmania and accepts briefs from all jurisdictions.


Rachel Walsh, Barrister, Green’s List
Rachel Walsh was a solicitor in an international commercial firm for 20 years (including 12 as a partner). She is briefed regularly in the areas of Public law - including judicial review, merits review and statutory interpretation; Inquiries, coronial inquests and investigations - including public or private examinations conducted under coercive powers, royal commissions, anti-corruption inquiries and coronial inquests involving a wide range of sectors; Disciplinary and criminal matters - including civil penalty litigation, regulatory enforcement, OH&S prosecutions, disciplinary decision-making and appeals, public and private sector governance, clubs & associations; Civil claims - including privacy, discrimination, tort and contract and Civil procedure - including subpoenas, jurisdiction and costs. Doyles Guide lists Rachel as a leading Victorian Administrative, Public Law & Judicial Review Law barrister, having been identified by clients and peers for her expertise and ability in Administrative Law, Public Law, Freedom of Information & Judicial Review matters. Rachel is a member of the Bar's Ethics Committee. She has been Chair of the Bar's CPD Committee, Chair of the Victorian branch of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law and President of Reprieve Australia.

Gregory Buchhorn, Barrister, Chapman’s List
Before coming to the Bar, Greg was Senior Associate to the Honourable Justice Maxwell AC, President of the Victorian Court of Appeal. Greg has previously been a senior solicitor at Victoria Legal Aid in the Civil Justice directorate. He was involved in complex litigation while at VLA, which enabled him to gain expertise in a diverse range of practice areas including discrimination, social security and NDIS matters, migration, consumer protection and civil claims, mental health and disability law (including guardianship, compuslory treatment, and matters under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act, residential tenancies, and occupational regulation (including Working with Children Check reviews). He appeared regularly as solicitor-advocate in various jurisdictions including the Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Supreme Court, as well as the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Greg also worked in the Criminal Law directorate at VLA, in both summary and indictable matters. Greg read with Graeme Hill and his senior mentor is Claire Harris QC.

Kelly Griffiths, Partner, Gadens
Kelly specialises in commercial disputes and investigations, with particular expertise in regulatory and law enforcement investigations. Prior to joining Gadens, Kelly worked at two top-tier Australian law firms, in the enforcement team at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and as Chief Legal Counsel and Head of Government Affairs and Policy for one of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies.