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Royal Commissions & Commissions of Inquiry

Holding Redlich has extensive experience representing both organisations and prominent individuals in Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry. We understand the importance of the role of Solicitors Assisting, and provide our expert knowledge at each stage of the commission process.

Royal Commissions & Commissions of Inquiry

Renowned for its litigation and dispute resolution capability, our disputes team has deep experience representing clients called before public inquiries. We advise on all forms of public inquiries, including Royal Commissions and investigations by the Victorian Ombudsman, the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). 

Expertise

We advise on all forms of public inquiries, including Royal Commissions and investigations by the Victorian Ombudsman, the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). 

Our areas of expertise include:

  • representing senior government officials and entities in respect of investigations into protected disclosure complaints, and whistle-blower complaints
  • advising senior public officials and private individuals in investigations by IBAC and ICAC
  • advising entities and individuals in respect of Royal Commissions, most recently in respect of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption
  • advising agencies on the conduct of internal investigations after the disclosure and reporting of corruption, and on human resources issues which accompany these disclosures
  • working closely with clients to identify key areas of investigation, and assist them to compile and review their documentary evidence in relation to the issues - 
    • where compulsory document production is expansive in scope, we utilise external IT providers and paralegals to aid in the document filtering process, thereby limiting the scope and cost of production. Of course, costs are saved without compromising on quality, as the review is closely supervised by experienced senior lawyers.
  • working closely with our clients to identify the key legal risks presented by an inquiry
  • familiarising the executive with the processes of the inquiry and spend time preparing the executive to answer questions effectively.
  • where necessary and relevant we also retain and work closely with counsel and technical experts within and external to our client’s business, and obtain advocacy and other specialist expertise for the benefit of our clients.
  • when required, work with public relations consultants in relation to media strategies during inquiries.

Experience

Royal Commissions and Inquiries in which Holding Redlich has acted:

  • Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry (2001-2002)
  • AWB (Oil-for-Food) Inquiry (2006-2008)
  • Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission (2009)
  • Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry (2011-2012)
  • Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program (2012-2013)
  • ICAC Operation Acacia (2013)
  • ICAC Operation Spector (2014)
  • Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption (2014-2015)
  • IBAC Operation Ord (2015)
  • ICAC Operation Scania (2016)
  • IBAC Operation Lansdowne (2017)
  • Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (2018)
  • Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2019) (Cth)
  • Royal Commission into Management of Police Informants (2019-20) (Vic) 
  • Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess (2020) (NSW)
  • Judicial Inquiry into the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Program (2020) (Vic)
  • Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence (2021) (Vic)

Recent Posts

05 October 2021 - Knowledge

Lessons learned from Royal Commissions

#Dispute Resolution & Litigation, #Royal Commissions & Commissions of Inquiry

From responding to notices to ‘fireside’ chats, we discuss some of the key challenges solicitors may face when acting in Royal Commissions or Commissions of Inquiry.

24 March 2021 - Knowledge

Corporate crime, anti-bribery and corruption in Australia – March 2021 quarterly update

#Dispute Resolution & Litigation, #Royal Commissions & Commissions of Inquiry

We highlight some of the key legislative updates and other legal developments in the Australian corporate crime and anti-bribery space in the last quarter, including the latest on the Crown Resorts Inquiries.

11 February 2019 - Knowledge

Banking Royal Commission – managed investment funds under the spotlight

#Corporate & Commercial Law, #Royal Commissions & Commissions of Inquiry

While the Royal Commission spotlight has fallen heavily on the banks, the final report has also revealed some important lessons for managed investment funds. We outline these lessons and why anyone who is in the business of managing other people’s money needs to pay attention to what the Royal Commission has said.

05 February 2019 - Knowledge

Royal Commission finds Murray-Darling Basin Plan partly unlawful

#Royal Commissions & Commissions of Inquiry, #Planning, Environment & Sustainability

The Royal Commission into the Murray-Darling Basin’s report constitutes the most comprehensive analysis to date in relation to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. But it may take a Federal Royal Commission for the recommendations and findings of the Royal Commission to drive change. Our water law expert Dr Joseph Monaghan summarises some of the 800 page report’s key findings.