Navigate the complexities of statutory interpretation with practical guidance from leading practitioners. Refresh your understanding of the modern approach to construing legislation, examine recent cases and developments, and learn how to reconcile competing provisions and overlapping legislative schemes. Then apply these principles in an interactive problem-solving workshop exploring contemporary cases, differing judicial approaches and common interpretive pitfalls.

Presenters

Peter Hanks KC, List G Barristers
Peter appears regularly for Commonwealth and State government agencies, and against those agencies, in the Federal Court, High Court, Supreme Court, Commonwealth Administrative Review Tribunal and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. He also regularly provides advice on administrative and constitutional law issues to Commonwealth and State government agencies, and to private parties on their rights against those agencies. Prior to coming to the Bar, Peter had over 25 years experience teaching administrative law and constitutional law at the University of Sydney and Monash University. He is an accomplished author and has published several books on constitutional law and administrative law including Constitutional Law in Australia (5th edition), Social Security in Australia (2nd edition) and Australian Constitutional Law (7th edition).

Jim Hartley, Barrister, Ah Ket Chambers
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.


Claire Alexander, Special Counsel, Russell Kennedy
Claire is a Special Counsel at Russell Kennedy who acts for a range of government clients and statutory authorities. Her practice focuses on professional misconduct, disciplinary proceedings, statutory interpretation and administrative law. Claire has significant government experience, having previously held roles with the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and the Judicial Commission of Victoria.

Priyanka Banerjee, Barrister, List A Barristers
Priyanka practises broadly in administrative and constitutional law, as well as in regulatory and commercial matters. She has also lectured in Administrative Law and Constitutional Law at Melbourne Law School. Prior to coming to the Bar, Priyanka was an associate to the Hon Chief Justice Gageler AC at the High Court. Before that, she was an Associate at Allens practising in commercial litigation and insolvency, and was an associate to the Hon Justice Moshinsky at the Federal Court of Australia. 

Andrew Yuile, Barrister, Greens List Barristers
Andrew prides himself on being easy to work and communicate with; thorough and persuasive in his court work; and clear, concise and practical in his advice work. He understands the importance of meeting client and court deadlines, and in providing value for money. Andrew appears in all courts and tribunals, at first instance and on appeal. He appears unled, with senior counsel, and leading more junior counsel. He provides written advice or advice in conference depending on client needs. Andrew has experience in a wide range of areas, but practices predominantly in public and government related law, both for and against government authorities.