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Welcome to our page dedicated to showcasing the publications and recognition received by our talented lawyers. Our legal team has high regard within the industry and received numerous accolades for their expertise and contributions to the field of law.
In a thrilling episode of ABC’s Betrayal, our very own top criminal lawyer, Sidnie Sarang, took the spotlight!
In the viral episode, Sarang shared the shocking story behind the high-profile case of her client, Hannah Grundy.
Catch the episode in the link below if you haven’t already seen it.
Sky News, The Australian and the Daily Telegraph apologised to our clients, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dance Group and its members for using their photograph in an unrelated news report.
The three news groups also apologised for the manner in which they published the photo, which caused significant hurt and distress. Our Senior Associate, Stewart O’Connell, received a successful settlement in the media defamation case for our clients.
Peter O’Brien made a compelling appearance on SBS’s renowned program, “Insight.”
The episode, ‘Trial By Media‘, part of the show’s 2024 season (Episode 14), tackled pressing legal issues that resonate deeply with the Australian community.
Peter O’Brien, our Principal Solicitor, was quoted by ABC podcast BACKGROUND BRIEFING in their latest episode: Stop and Search | The Botched Backyard Operation. In the episode, they go into detail about what happened in Brad´s tragic last few moments after police officer fatally shot the young man as part of their proactive policing strategy that went horribly wrong. Peter is representing Brad´s father, Adam Balzan.
O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors are experts in suing the police.
Listen to the podcast episode from the link below.
Brian Massone, our Civil Solicitor, interviewed our recent client, Law Professor Simon Rice, who we helped sue the NSW Police. Rice was on the sidelines of a student protest when police arrested him unlawfully.
O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors are experts in suing police for unlawful arrests.
Peter O’Brien, our Principal Solicitor, spoke to LSJ on whether the police’s power to search, detain, and arrest needs overhauling.
O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors are experts in suing police for unlawful searches.
Our principal solicitor, Peter O’Brien discussed the issue of juveniles going into Queensland watch houses with The Guardian.
Our firm is expert in suing police for unlawful searches.
Our principal solicitor, Peter O’Brien discussed the issue of police searches with the ABC.
William Spedding was awarded $1.8 million in damages in a claim against the State of NSW for malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office and abuse of process after he was arrested and charged during investigations into the disappearance of William Tyrell. William Spedding’s counsel Tahn O’Rourke, Sir Owen Dixon Chambers, and principal solicitor, Peter O’Brien, O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors, discuss the case they ran, and the judgments in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, in the first of three insightful presentations.
Subscribers can watch the full video at: https://lnkd.in/eKtrNk5V
On August 9, our Principal solicitor Peter O’Brien, commented to the ABC about the State of NSW losing its appeal against the decision in favor of Bill Spedding in his claim against the NSW Police Force.
On Channel 9, Peter described the State’s decision to appeal as “an act of lunacy”.
See the Channel 7 Story here. See the Channel 9 story here (and also in the video below)
On August 2, our Principal solicitor Peter O’Brien, commented to Channel 7 about Bruce Lehrmann threatening to demand millions if the A.C.T. Prosecutor mishandled rape allegations in relation to Brittany Higgins. He also commented in a subsequent item on the same topic on August 4.
Recently our lawyers, Wilson Tighe and Tim Rayner went onto BenchTV to discuss bail in NSW including the application of the Bail Act 2013 (NSW) and the process of a bail application in the local court, the district court and the Supreme Court.
William Tyrrell’s foster mother has called on police to release the evidence they claim to have amassed against her after detectives asked prosecutors to charge her over the boy’s disappearance.
But, our Principal solicitor Peter O’Brien, the criminal defence lawyer who defended the first suspect identified in the case, washing machine repair man Bill Spedding, who has since been cleared warns that early police mistakes may now have ruined the investigation
He told the Sydney Morning Herald, “The longer a crime goes unsolved, the more difficulties police will have trying to solve it.”
As we recently reported, 95 year old woman Clare Nowland was the victim of a police tasering. Unfortunately she succumbed to the injuries she sustained in this episode. Police charged the responsible officer with assault, and it is now possible that the charges could upgrade to manslaughter.
Principal solicitor Peter O’Brien told the Sydney Morning Herald about the topic of police investigating police, “Since time immemorial it has been a thoroughly ineffective, unaccountable and unsound means of keeping the police accountable, for obvious reasons, and there are any number of examples to show that.”
The church youth group leader, Brett Edward Sorby, who has remained in jail on remand since his arrest, was set for release after solicitor Peter O’Brien successfully applied for his conditional release on bail on Wednesday. A Newcastle Local Court magistrate granted it. However the Supreme Court will review the decision before Sorby goes free.
The 59-year-old faces 14 child sex charges concerning a teenage girl. These are historical offences, from between 2004 and 2005.
The article can be found here. This is behind a paywall
This brief version on the NBN Newcastle site is free to all.
Our lawyers, Sidnie Sarang and Patrick Latham represent Cherish Kuehlmann
The legal right to protest is fundamental to the proper functioning of our democracy and is often not upheld.We successfully dismiss the heavy handed bail conditions imposed on her.
Former elite runner Eliza Stewart got bail again after already breaching bail. Police charged her with selling more than $100,000 worth of stolen goods.
Stewart breached bail when police discovered the 36-year-old driving by herself. However her original bail conditions included that she was not to drive unaccompanied outside her home.
Our criminal defence lawyer, Wilson Tighe, persuaded Justice Richard Button to grant bail in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday, February 2, 2023.
See how the West Australian media reported on this case.
If you are in need of a criminal defence lawyer, do not hesitate to contact us. We have the experience and expertise to defend your rights and ensure a fair trial.
Criminal Defence Lawyer Wilson Tighe
Son of former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, Constable Daniel Keneally is in trouble again.
Our principal solicitor, Peter O’Brien, weighed in on the matter stating that police officers have a duty to “investigate it correctly, they’ve got to do it fairly, and they’ve got to do it impartially.”
If you are in need of a criminal defence lawyer, do not hesitate to contact us. We have the experience and expertise to defend your rights and ensure a fair trial.
Clint Foster – Former Premier Kristina Keneally’s Son Facing Police Investigation
Samantha Azzopardi, who gained notoriety throughout the world with outrageous claims, got a significant win in the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney. Our lawyer, Stewart O’Connell, argued her 17-month jail sentence was “manifestly excessive” given Azzopardi’s complex mental health situation.
Stewart O’Connell even got international exposure in an Irish news outlet:
Some News Ltd outlets which reported on the case:
Click to read our Media Release.
Some News outlets that reported on the case:
9 NEWS Australia: NSW Police ordered to pay $1.5 million to former suspect in William Tyrrell disappearance
A young man got bail in the Supreme Court after he allegedly committed 19 “troubling predatory” offences against six underage girls. This included supplying two girls with alcohol before sexually assaulting them.
Stewart O’Connell, a senior criminal defence lawyer with O’Brien Solicitors, was able to convince the Judge that bail was appropriate, with strict conditions to prevent reoffending.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s defamation case against Shane Bazzi came to an end., with the Liberal leader dropping his high court appeal and the refugee activist ceasing a bid for costs.
Bazzi’s lawyers, O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors, revealed the pair reached a resolution with final orders emanating from the full Federal Court.
Victoria Police published an apology to our client Dr Prasannan Ponganaparambile after they used social media to defame him by accusing him of being a suspect in a crime, followed by unlawfully imprisoning him. This apology was part of the confidential settlement that our defamation solicitor Stewart O’Connell got for the doctor.
Australian Story published an episode on bank-robber turned survivor advocate Russell Manser. As Russell’s criminal lawyer, Peter O’Brien was interviewed by the ABC for the episode.
It aired on Monday 30 May 2022 however you can catch up on the episode here.
Shane Bazzi succeeded on appeal in the defamation case against Peter Dutton. Last year, the Minister for Defence sued Mr Bazzi over a tweet. At first instance, the Court ruled in Mr Dutton’s favour awarding him damages. However, on appeal, the Full Court held that the judge had erred in his reasoning. The Court further held that the tweet did not convey the pleaded imputation that “Mr Dutton excused rape”.
O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors defamation team, consisting of Senior Solicitor Stewart O’Connell and Solicitor Sarah Gore, represented Mr Bazzi alongside Barristers Peter Gray SC and Barry Dean.
Appeal court overturns Peter Dutton’s $35,000 defamation win over tweet – Sydney Morning Herald
Shane Bazzi wins appeal in defamation case over Peter Dutton tweet – The Guardian
Refugee advocate Shane Bazzi wins court appeal against Peter Dutton – The Daily Telegraph
Sep 27, 2022
Peter Dutton’s defamation case against refugee activist Shane Bazzi ends with resolution – The Guardian
media release – @obriensolicitor pic.twitter.com/gE2wXF5sBO
— Shane Bazzi (@shanebazzi) September 26, 2022
Seven West Media has settled a defamation lawsuit brought against it by O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors. It will pay out the man it wrongfully identified in news reports as Cleo Smith’s abductor.
Stewart O’Connell represented Terrance Flowers, who goes by his mother’s last name of Kelly on Facebook. He became the subject of mistaken identity when the Kerry Stokes-owned media conglomerate incorrectly identified him as Cleo’s abductor Terence Kelly.
News Articles which have quoted us:
Gold Coast man Daryl James, a promising young musician, suffered abuse as a teenage army apprentice. He then worked alongside his tormentors for 40 years. The Daily Telegraph reports that he has won his case against the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for the abuse.
Daily Telegraph reports on Daryl James abuse case settlement (may be behind a paywall for some users).
In the article, the Telegraph quotes Peter as follows:
Lawyer Peter O’Brien said the case sets a precedent for other ADF abuse victims.
“This claim was only for the conduct perpetrated against to Mr James – not for the subsequent mental and physical injuries that arose, nor any economic impact it had upon him. Therefore, it was not a personal injury claim,” he said.
“This is because Mr James’ has already been compensated for the impact the abuse had upon him but had not been compensated for the actions themselves.”
Actor Felix Dean had representation from our criminal defence lawyer Elliot Rowe at his sentencing hearing. Mr Dean found himself under arrest four times in the past 20 months. Subsequently, he pleaded guilty to a long list of charges involving violence and theft. The former Home and Away child star started using methamphetamine at the age of 15.
This high profile case saw coverage on Channel 9 as well as the following news articles.
Daily Mail reports on result on Felix Dean criminal case
News Corp sentencing article on Felix Dean violence offence cases
Refugee advocate files appeal over Peter Dutton’s $35,000 defamation win. Shane Bazzi, through his lawyers at O’Brien Solicitors, has filed an appeal against a Federal Court decision ordering him to pay Defence Minister Peter Dutton $35,000 in damages over a defamatory tweet.The following may be behind a paywall for some people:
Sydney Morning Herald reports on appeal on Bazzi defamation case
Peter O’Brien is quoted extensively in this article in The Australian where a neighbour of William Tyrrell considers suing police. Peter is already representing wrongly accused man Bill Spedding. The following may be behind a paywall:
The Australian quotes Peter O’Brien on Tyrrell case
Terrance Flowers is suing Channel 7 for defamation over the Cleo Smith abduction. The following may be behind a paywall:
Terrance Flowers suing for defamation – Daily Telegraph
Terrance Flowers goes by the name Terrance W. B. Kelly on Facebook, using his mother’s last name. This name is close to that of Carnarvon man Terence Darrell Kelly, who has been charged with child abduction. 4 year old Cleo Smith was found alive this week after having been missing for 18 days. Channel 7 incorrectly identified Mr Flowers as the suspect in the case including full face pictures. Consequently he suffered abuse and threats and ended up in hospital with a panic attack. He has engaged our firm to sue for defamation.
Peter O’Brien has a quote in a Canberra Times article about a police officer who assaulted a woman in a Liverpool pub. Subsequently, the officer lied about the interaction. The former senior constable, Mark Anthony Follington, is now in prison. O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors will be suing the NSW Police Force on the woman’s behalf.
Liverpool assault by police officer ends with him in prison – Canberra Times
Peter O’Brien appeared for a Barker College student who faced a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company. Magistrate Sue Duncombe sentenced the 17 year old to 12-months probation in Children’s Court after he pleaded guilty to the crime. However, she recorded no conviction.
Pyrmont assault accused secures no conviction – News.com.au
Dylan Voller is suing for defamation several media outlets including the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian. Today the High Court of Australia agreed that those media outlets were responsible for libellous comments by commenters on the Facebook pages that the news outlets maintain.
Media outlets lose High Court appeal over Facebook defamation ruling – Sydney Morning Herald
High Court finds media outlets are responsible for Facebook comments in Dylan Voller defamation case – ABC
High court Voller ruling: Media liable defamation Facebook posts – Herald Sun
High Court decision will help clean up garbage on social media – Brisbane Times
Dylan Voller case: Nine, News Corp lose High Court appeal over Facebook comments defamation ruling – The Age
Australian media outlets liable for Facebook comments, court find – Reuters
You can see the statement that we released that the ABC quoted here.
Our civil lawyer team is suing NSW Police over an officer who was convicted of several counts relating to the unlawful assault and arrest of a woman in Liverpool.
Liverpool false arrest leads to conviction of police officer and lawsuit against NSW Police – Canberra Times
Sydney woman Anya Bradford sues NSW after being assaulted by police officer – ABC
Criminal defence lawyer Elliot Rowe is defending a man who has pleaded not guilty to one count of reckless wounding on the Northern Beaches.
Collaroy alleged stabbing accused says it was self defence – The Daily Telegraph / Manly Daily (note this article is behind a pay wall)
Reports wrongly claimed Josh Massoud made ‘threat to kill’, court told
Senior Solicitor Stewart O’Connell, who specialises in defamation, is the solicitor acting for Ms Massoud.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton is suing refugee activist Shane Bazzi over a tweet describing him as a “rape apologist”. O’Brien Solicitors civil team will be defending Mr Bazzi against the defamation claim.
Peter Dutton sues refugee advocate over ‘rape apologist’ tweet – Sydney Morning Herald
Peter Dutton sues refugee activist for defamation over tweet – The Guardian Australia
Peter Dutton sues Shane Bazzi over tweet – The Australian
A Melbourne doctor claims he was defamed by Victoria Police after he was accused on a local Facebook page of stealing a bottle of rum.
Prasannan Ponganamparambile is taking legal action against the State of Victoria over a social media post published on Victoria Police’s Cardinia Eyewatch Facebook page in May last year.
O’Brien Solicitors statement on the matter was quoted extensively in an article about the matter in The Age. Senior Solicitor Stewart O’Connell, who specialises in defamation, is one of the solicitors acting for the doctor.
“Mr O’Connell said his client was never charged and that Victoria Police’s actions had a devastating impact on Dr Ponganamparambile and his family.
He said police should not post a person’s image on social media connecting them to a crime “without at least a reasonable investigation into the circumstances”.
“People are entitled to the protection of the presumption of innocence and for their privacy to be respected,” he said.”
Defence Minister Peter Dutton has launched an attack on critics on Twitter threatening to sue them for defamation.
O’Brien Solicitors statement on the matter was quoted extensively in an article about the threats in The Guardian.
“We have been engaged in relation to a defamation concerns notice served on an individual as a result of a tweet about Peter Dutton.
“We are not prepared, at this time, to discuss the specific details of the particular case.
“We are, however, firmly of the general view that politicians should not be wielding defamation laws as a sword to cut down the opinions and criticisms of individuals.
“People should have a broad freedom to criticise and express opinions about politicians without fear of reprisal, and politicians should have thick skins.”
O’Brien Solicitors argue defamation should be reserved for cases of “real risk of genuine damage to reputation”.
“That is not the case here. This was an expression of opinion on Twitter, a social media platform known for its freewheeling and informal banter in respect of matters of public interest, to an audience of no more than a few hundred people.”
Peter O’Brien had a quote in an ABC article about sex assault compensation changes in NSW.
Solicitor Peter O’Brien said it was unfair to have one system for children in the community and another for those in custody.
“It was a horrendous piece of drafting to begin with to enable the state to avoid compensation payouts to those who’d been abused whilst in custody — in fact, in the care of the state as children,” he said.
New South Wales police have paid out more than $100m in relation to legal settlements over the past four years. However, in most cases details of the suits were never made public. This is due to confidentiality clauses that prevent victims speaking about alleged officer misconduct.
The Guardian: ‘Hush’ money: NSW police pay out more than $100m in relation to legal settlements
Peter travelled to a remote part of Indonesia with a backpack stuffed with cash. This was in order to convey money that two Indonesian youths were awarded after being falsely imprisoned by Australian Federal Police. The article also covers several other examples of police being sued for exceeding their powers such as unlawful arrest and false imprisonment.
Note that the following article may be behind a paywall. Here is our article on the topic.
Daily Telegraph: Australian police forced to pay millions for unlawful arrest and false imprisonment
Peter O’Brien has a quote on the topic of the NSW Government relaxing restrictions on demonstrations after several incidents of police brutality.
Canberra Times: NSW allows protests of up to 500 people in COVID-19 Public Health Order
Peter O’Brien is representing Taylah Gray from Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties (FISTT). He is fighting the latest attempt by the Police to deny a Black Lives Matter / Deaths in Custody protest the right to go ahead, this time in Newcastle.
SBS: An application will be heard in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday morning to prohibit a Black Lives Matter protest planned for Newcastle
The Wigs are not a truncated version of a children’s music group, but it is the name for a popular podcast featuring three of Sydney’s best barristers along with host Jim Minns. They and Peter O’Brien were key operatives in the recent Court of Appeals victory that won the Black Lives Matter / Deaths in Custody protest the right to go ahead.
Sydney Morning Herald: The barristers who make up the Wigs
The Australian Financial Review has published a behind the scenes look at how Peter O’Brien and the other members of the legal team have been in the fight for the right to assemble in protest over the past week.
Australian Financial Review: Peter O’Brien and barristers and BLM / refugees protests
Peter O’Brien and his criminal defence team were involved in the backstory to last weekend’s BLM rally. NSW Police gave the green light to the Sydney Black Lives Matter rally in an email sent two days before the event, the state’s top court has ruled, and their steps to reverse that authorisation failed.
Sydney Morning Herald: Court of Appeal rules Sydney Black Lives Matter protest can go ahead
Peter O’Brien acts for the BLM organizer Raul Bassi to win a go ahead for the major event.
7 News, Melbourne interviews Peter O’Brien as an expert on police brutality following a police officer using his foot to kick and then pin down a struggling man.
If the above Twitter link does not work, go to the 7 News Melbourne article directly.
Peter O’Brien acted for Don Dale detainees, is quoted in this article by Barrister and law lecturer, Greg Barns, about the High Court decision about the use of tear gas on them.
Sydney Morning Herald: Don Dale ruling a strong message against use of force on children
Peter O’Brien’s letter to the Attorney General on the Cognitive Impairment Diversion Program (CIDP) is having an impact. He is quoted in this article from the Sydney Morning Herald today.
Sydney Morning Herald: CIDP under menace
Peter O’Brien spoke to James Valentine on ABC Radio Sydney on Tuesday about the Cognitive Impairment Diversion Program (CIDP) and how it is imperilled by possible lack of funding. This would mean that some of the most vulnerable in society would face dire consequences due to the uncompromising rigidity of the criminal justice system. To listen to the interview, go to this page.
ABC Radio: James Valentine Cognitive Impairment Diversion Program (CIDP) interview
Peter O’Brien is representing local white-goods repairman, Bill Spedding, who is suing NSW police for naming him as a suspect when no evidence connects him to the crime.
The Australian: William Tyrell coronial inquest (Paywall site, so you may need to be a subscriber)
Peter O’Brien successfully defended a garbage truck driver who reversed into a legally blind woman on the Northern Beaches. The charge was dangerous driving. See also our media release on the case.
Nine News: Dangerous driving charge not guilty
The Nine News website include this article sourced from the Australian Associated Press (AAP):
Nine News: NSW COVID-19 fines ‘arbitrarily applied’
In an article about someone’s funeral being broken up by police (!), among other possible over-reaches, Peter O’Brien is quoted:
The Guardian: social distancing enforcement by police
Peter O’Brien, Principal Solicitor of O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors, was approached by The Guardian to provide an opinion piece regarding the recent High Court decision in the matter of ex-cardinal George Pell. Read it here:
The Guardian: Cardinal George Pell appeal consequences
The News website include this article sourced from the Australian Associated Press (AAP):
News: NSW Coronavirus fines impacting vulnerable groups
Benjamin Batterham 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 to be his wife’s baby bag. In the chase the then took place, the home invader would end up losing his life. Find out what happened next in a case led by principal solicitor, Peter O’Brien, in the following 60 Minutes video.
William Tyrrell disappeared more than 4 years ago without a trace, but the Coroner’s Court heard there is a chance he’s still alive.
The Sydney Morning Herald – NSW Police searching ‘active leads’ into William Tyrrell’s disappearance
The Sydney Morning Herald – Cult Leader uses defamation case to inflict pain on blogger
O’Brien puts it to Lawrence that others have said he was a paedophile.
“I totally reject that,” Lawrence says.
He denies being questioned in 1997 about allegations against him and has denied the evidence of others that he was the person at the end of a child sexual abuse hotline run by the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle.
“I was not handling a hotline,” Lawrence said.
O’Brien: “You were the fox in charge of the hen house.”
“No.”
“You were protecting priests from allegations of child sexual abuse.”
“I did not.”
Asked whether he had “any inclination” to either a priest or a complainant” in any matter, Lawrence said: “I don’t recall any approaches.”
Peter O’Brien speaking at an SBS Forum on Juvenile Justice.
ABC Media Watch – NT newspaper settles after using Indigenous child as the face of youth crime
The Guardian – Centralian Advocate settles out of court over front-age photo of Aboriginal boy
SMH – Man accused of killing intruder granted bail for second time
SBS News – Don Dale inmates paid $100k for abuse
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