Peter Bellach
Solicitor
ph: 02 9261 4281
e:
Peter’s commitment to impact justice outcomes for First Nations Peoples drew him to the Northern Territory following his admission in 2003. He worked as a criminal solicitor for the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) for over 10 years and then practiced at the private bar in the Northern Territory for a decade.
During his career Peter has witnessed the contemporary consequences of colonisation and how the Australian legal system, and its institutions, often operate as instruments of oppression and injustice. He viewed his litigation practice as one means of resisting and responding to individual and systemic injustices, seeking accountability, and positively influencing his clients’ lived experiences of justice.
Given the cultural and linguistic diversity within the Northern Territory, Peter came to realise that his ability to provide high quality legal representation depended upon an ability to communicate well. Peter sought to develop intercultural communication skills that enhanced his capacity to communicate effectively across languages and with First Nations clients whose cultural knowledge base and world view was fundamentally different to the mainstream.
This led him to study the Yolngu Matha language (from Northeast Arnhem Land) through Charles Darwin University. It also led him to undertake positions with a focus on intercultural community development, and intercultural adult education. From 2008-2010 Peter worked for ARDS Aboriginal Corporation (a First Nations led organisation). In 2013 he took up an inter-agency secondment from NAAJA to the Northern Territory Government’s Aboriginal Interpreter Service.
While at the bar Peter maintained a diverse practice. He regularly appeared in the Coronial Jurisdiction, advising and appearing as counsel for a range of interested parties including families of deceased, government agencies and individuals at risk of a referral to the ODPP or other regulatory authorities.
In addition, Peter accepted briefs to appear in matters in the following areas: Criminal Law (including jury trials and appeals to the Northern Territory Court of Criminal Appeal), Police Torts, Administrative Law, Environmental Law, Disciplinary Tribunals and SafeWork prosecutions.
