The Coroners' Court - The 'Golden Rules' of The Jurisdiction

The Coroners Court can be a confusing jurisdiction. This session was aimed at those government lawyers who may have the responsibility of guiding a response to a coronial investigation or Inquest. It also had the application to any departmental or agency manager or employee that may find themselves involved in a coronial matter, and helped orientate them to the forces that animate these types of hearings.

This session was clearly and concisely based upon an analysis of a number of ‘golden rules’ which can help in understanding why things work the way they do and assist clients in interacting with the jurisdiction and also contribute usefully to the societal function that the coroners court fulfils.

Principal and Russell Kennedy’s Government Client Relationship Manager, Ben Lloyd discussed the handling of witnesses, evidential management, tactics and the statutory and regulatory framework, and procedure to give attendees confidence in managing interactions with this interesting jurisdiction.

Ben also discusses some odd but true observations he has made over the years working in the coronial jurisdiction.

Presented by Principal - Ben Lloyd.

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Ethics in practice for government lawyers

Like all lawyers, those in government face daily ethical challenges but they also face unique ethical issues because of the nature of their clients. The session addressed these issues through practical problem solving.

The topics that were covered in the webinar:

• Paramount duty to the court;
• Who is your client, and ethical duties of confidentiality, integrity, independence; and
• Being a model litigant.

Simon Libbis and Michael Dolan from the Law Institute of Victoria explained how to earn the necessary skills to recognise ethical challenges at an early stage and guidance on how to deal with them.

Presented by: Simon Libbis, Head of Ethics and Practitioner Support & Michael Dolan, Special Counsel Ethics, Law Institute of Victoria.

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Lawyers on Board!

Michael Gorton AM is a Russell Kennedy Principal and an outstanding commercial lawyer with a focus on the health sector. He’s been recognised over many years and in many categories by Best Lawyers, and ranked as “preeminent” in Doyles Guide. He’s won awards from the Law Institute of Victoria and from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He’s also a very proud Member of the Order of Australia.

In 2000 he was the inaugural co-chair of Reconciliation Victoria; he’s been the Chair of Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission; he’s been the Chair of Ahpra; and Chair of The Alfred Hospital.

Michael is currently:

• President of the Board of Directors, Wellways Australia
• Chair, Peninsula Health
• Chair, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
• Board Member, Latrobe Regional Hospital

So, in a much anticipated presentation, Michael spoke about what it means to be a lawyer on a board, in terms of governance skills, risk strategies and professional development.

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Webinar Replay