Nicole Byrne

In recent events, the delicate balance between the right to protest and public safety has come under scrutiny in Australia. Two incidents highlight the complexities surrounding protest laws and their enforcement. Let’s explore the recent protests in Sydney. Pro-Palestine Protests in Sydney The New South Wales Police Force faced a legal challenge when they attempted […]

At O’Brien Solicitors, we are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Principal Solicitor, Peter O’Brien, who recently received not one, but two highly distinguished awards. At the UTS Faculty of Law Awards night, Peter was honoured with both the Law Faculty Alumni Award and the UTS Chancellor’s Award for Excellence—a remarkable recognition of

Sexual Assault Trials: A recent high-profile rape trial in Sydney has reignited this vital debate. – Are victims of sexual abuse and rape treated fairly within the Australian legal system? Despite decades of legal reforms aimed at protecting survivors, many still feel their voices are drowned out in a process designed to scrutinize their every

The NSW Labor government has taken significant steps to address the critical issue of domestic violence by introducing a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at enhancing protection for victim-survivors. These reforms represent a crucial shift in legal policy and demonstrate the government’s commitment to tackling this pervasive social problem. Hopefully, the NSW domestic violence reforms

Royal Commissions are a Pillar of Public Inquiry and Accountability in Australia.  O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors were involved in the recent Royal Commission into Veterans Suicide. Stay tuned for more on our important work in this Royal Commission. Click here to read more about our other work in Royal Commissions in Australia.  Royal Commissions

Our lawyers do a lot of this, but what is meatball lawyering? Meatball lawyering describes the critical role duty lawyers play in the Australian legal system. Our lawyers provide immediate aid to individuals in urgent legal situations. Unlike traditional legal practices, where cases unfold over time, duty lawyers step in during crucial moments, offering fast,

Is Jack’s Law expansion a double-edged sword? Let’s take a look. So, the recent plan to expand Jack’s Law to include Queensland shopping centres, licensed premises, and entertainment venues has sparked a heated debate. This legislation, initially introduced to combat knife crime, has now broadened its scope. Now, it allows police to conduct warrantless searches

August was another busy time at the firm for our criminal and civil lawyers. Luckily for you readers, Megan Kirk, our Civil Solicitor, found time to write this thought-provoking piece; The Power of Protest. Be warned, it might challenge your perceptions of public protests … Through her personal experience at a Palestine protest in Sydney,