Recent Public Hearings

Pictured left to right: Chair of the Children’s Law Committee, Damian Bartholomew, QLS President, Bill Potts and Legal Policy Manager, Binny De Saram.

On Friday 19 July 2019, QLS representatives appeared before the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee on the Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019. The Society called for an increase in the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 years. A prohibition on children being detained in Queensland watch houses and access to prompt and well-funded legal assistance for children and young people who are subject to questioning by Queensland Police Service officers.

Pictured left to right: Legal Policy Solicitor, Kerryn Sampson, Chair of the QLS Accident Compensation / Tort Law Committee, Michael Garbett, Deputy Chair, Luke Murphy and QLS President, Bill Potts.

On Monday 22 July 2019, QLS President Bill Potts appeared with the Chair, Michael Garbett and Deputy Chair, Luke Murphy of the QLS Accident Compensation / Tort Law Committee, before the Economics and Governance Committee on the Motor Accident Insurance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019. At the hearing, the Society confirmed its support for requiring that CTP claims didn’t originate from claim farming, ensuring Queensland clients are not overcharged by interstate law firms and clarifying the law to protect donations from law firms to the community sector for the public good.

However, in supporting the intent of the Bill, the Society also advocated for the maintenance of the fundamental right to remain silent and that cornerstone principles such as legal professional privilege and protection against self-incrimination are preserved.

You can read our submission to the Bill now. http://www.qls.com.au/For_the_profession/Advocacy