Tackle complex statutory interpretation questions with greater confidence. Across three practical sessions, you will build a clear framework for approaching novel and unresolved issues, from key interpretive principles, linguistic canons and presumptions through to context, purpose and the use of extrinsic materials. You will learn how to use a provision’s function to select the most persuasive interpretive tools, resolve competing constructions and strengthen your legal arguments. You will also examine how courts approach broad statutory powers, open-textured concepts and the limits of executive discretion. Walk away with practical checklists, analytical frameworks and strategies you can apply immediately when interpreting legislation and advising on difficult statutory questions.

Presenters

Jim Hartley, Barrister, List G Barristers
Jim Hartley practises primarily in public and industrial law. Jim has a broad practice which includes tax, environment and climate change, regulatory, insolvency, land rights and general commercial litigation. He is regularly briefed in complex trials and appeals in matters that are novel, high profile and in the public interest. Jim’s expertise has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as both a leading administrative and public law barrister, and a leading employment law junior counsel. In 2021, he received the Ron Castan AM KC award for outstanding achievement in pro bono advocacy undertaken by barristers who are between one and six-years’ call, for “extensive work on complex matters for the advancement of the rights of refugees and those in immigration detention.” Before joining the Bar, Jim was Associate to the Hon. Justice R.R.S Tracey AM RFD, Federal Court of Australia; Associate to the Hon. Justice Mordy Bromberg, Federal Court of Australia, and a solicitor practising in commercial litigation in Canberra.


Sarida McLeod, Barrister, 35 West Chambers
Called to the Bar in 2021, Sarida has a broad regulatory and commercial practice, with particular expertise in matters involving competition and consumer law, the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), business and directorship disputes, financial services, and complex or novel questions of statutory interpretation and expert evidence. She was listed as a Leading Queensland Junior Counsel in the area of Administrative & Public Law in Doyles’ Guide 2025. In the regulatory space, Sarida is regularly briefed (led and unled) by government entities such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and the Australian Energy Regulator in relation to investigations, litigation, and advice. She was one of junior counsel assisting the ACCC in its 2024-2025 Supermarkets Inquiry; acted (led) for senior members of the Forensic and Scientific Services’ DNA testing laboratory in the 2022 Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland; and has acted (both led and unled) for ASIC in number of urgent ex parte applications for asset preservation and travel restraint orders. Sarida also frequently acts for private parties responding to government action (including in relation to disqualification and banning orders and compulsory examinations). In the commercial space, Sarida has acted (led and unled) for both small and large companies and private individuals in a range of civil matters in the Supreme and District Courts of Queensland ¾ from director disputes about the control of a company to long-running contract and negligence claims involving multiple parties. Before being called to the Bar, Sarida was a solicitor in the Civil Regulation team of the Australian Government Solicitor; a senior associate in the competition law team of an international law firm; and a civil law adviser in the ministerial office of the Commonwealth Attorney-General. She completed her masters thesis on the economics of human gene patents at the University of Cambridge.

Fiona Albert, Barrister, Halsbury Chambers

Katherine McGree, Barrister, Murray Gleeson Chambers
Katherine McGree predominantly practises in public law, with expertise in regulatory prosecutions, civil penalty proceedings and confiscations, administrative review, inquests and commissions of inquiry. Katherine represents clients in all jurisdictions, including state and federal courts and tribunals. Prior to admission to the Bar, Katherine was a senior lawyer in the Dispute Resolution team of Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) working across the areas of law enforcement, general administrative law, and employment and workers’ compensation. Katherine was a senior lawyer at the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry. Katherine has experience as a solicitor in the litigation and regulatory law team of an international law firm, and the planning, government, infrastructure and environment team of a national law firm.