O’Brien Solicitors: “Business as Usual” during COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Posted on March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 by Paul G

O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors continues to operate during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. Some key operational changes to the firm are listed below. Importantly, our areas of specialisation- Criminal Defence, Civil Litigation for Police Misconduct, and Defamation – continue to accept new clients. Additionally, all current legal matters with existing clients are progressing as per Read more about O’Brien Solicitors: “Business as Usual” during COVID-19 (Coronavirus)[…]

Defamation claim of the Yolngu people in the Northern Territory versus Channel 7 and the Sunrise program

Posted on December 16, 2019December 16, 2019 by Paul G

Our principal lawyer Peter O’Brien, and solicitor Stewart O’Connell, were in the news last week. This publicity related to the defamation claim of the Yolgnu people in the Northern Territory versus Channel 7 and content broadcast on their Sunrise program. You can discover more about the media coverage in the following links: Guardian: Channel Seven settles defamation Read more about Defamation claim of the Yolngu people in the Northern Territory versus Channel 7 and the Sunrise program[…]

What would you tell a child to do if they were about to be strip searched?

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Paul G

We recently had an question asked to us via our Facebook page by a concerned mother: What would you tell a child to do if they were about to be strip searched? We would suggest that in that situation, the young person asks to speak to a lawyer. In addition, it would be appropriate to Read more about What would you tell a child to do if they were about to be strip searched?[…]

Is police misconduct on the rise?

Posted on November 22, 2019January 16, 2020 by editor

In NSW, complaints of misconduct or maladministration within the Police Force are investigated by the Law Enforcement and Complaints Commission (LECC). However, it has been recently revealed that due to funding cuts, only 2% of complaints received were investigated in the last year (2018). With the pressure of a further $6 million budget cut over Read more about Is police misconduct on the rise?[…]

Press Release – Benjamin Batterham Found Not Guilty by Newcastle Jury

Posted on November 22, 2019March 18, 2020 by Paul G

Benjamin Batterham, now 36 years old, was at his home, in Hamilton, an inner city suburb of Newcastle, having drinks with a friend in the early hours of 26 March 2016 when he saw a man in his house, coming out of his baby daughter’s room. The man was holding what would later be found Read more about Press Release – Benjamin Batterham Found Not Guilty by Newcastle Jury[…]

Four Corners: Bill Spedding, Wrong Man Targeted in William Tyrrell Case, Speaks Out

Posted on November 1, 2019November 1, 2019 by editor

On Monday, ABC TV’s Four Corners program will reveal how a man was wrongly accused in the William Tyrrell investigation. William Tyrrell disappearance leads to suspicion falling on Bill Spedding Bill Spedding, a washing machine repairman, was accused of abducting three-year-old William Tyrrell, who disappeared on 12 September, 2014 from the front yard of a Read more about Four Corners: Bill Spedding, Wrong Man Targeted in William Tyrrell Case, Speaks Out[…]

South Australia report condemns the use of spit hoods in Adelaide Youth Training Centre

Posted on September 25, 2019September 26, 2019 by Paul G

Details of the widespread use of ‘spit hoods’ in the Adelaide Youth Training Centre have been released today in a report published by the South Australian Ombudsman. The use of spit hoods has been illegal in all other jurisdictions following the Royal Commission and Board of Inquiry into the Protection and Detention of Children in Read more about South Australia report condemns the use of spit hoods in Adelaide Youth Training Centre[…]

Residents of Yirrkala Aboriginal community and Channel Seven head to mediation in defamation case

Posted on September 16, 2019September 16, 2019 by editor

Media Release – 16/09/2019 Members of a Yolgnu community in Arnhem Land will attempt to mediate their defamation and racial discrimination case against Channel Seven later this week. Parties will engage in a mediation conducted by the Honourable Stanley Jones AO QC, former jurist of the Supreme Court, in the remote Aboriginal community of Yirrkala. Read more about Residents of Yirrkala Aboriginal community and Channel Seven head to mediation in defamation case[…]

Police don’t always meet legal criteria for strip-searches, report finds

Posted on August 28, 2019February 23, 2020 by editor

The prevalence of unlawful strip-searches conducted by NSW police is an absolute disgrace. A recent UNSW Law School report has revealed 91% of strip searches were conducted by police who suspected a person of drug possession. Under the law, police can only conduct a strip search if they believe there are serious and urgent grounds Read more about Police don’t always meet legal criteria for strip-searches, report finds[…]

Indigenous woman Naomi Williams “let down” by Australia’s health system

Posted on August 16, 2019August 16, 2019 by editor

The inquest into the death of Naomi Williams, and her unborn child, has highlighted the poor quality and treatment of Indigenous people in Australia’s health system. The inquest, which concluded a couple of weeks ago, sparked several recommendations from a NSW coroner to address the health outcomes of Indigenous people. Deputy State Coroner, Harriet Grahame, Read more about Indigenous woman Naomi Williams “let down” by Australia’s health system[…]