5 Cases Podcast - Episode 30 with The Honourable Andrew Bell AC, Chief Justice of New South Wales
Legal Aid NSW Criminal Law DivisionShow Notes
In a very special 30th episode, the Chief Justice of New South Wales, The Honourable Andrew Bell AC, joins all three hosts. The Chief Justice reveals insights about his path to the role, the inner workings of the Supreme Court and the way judges work together. We also hear the Chief Justice speak about Solutions Focused Justice, developments in the law and the importance of the Liberato direction.
Totaan v The the Queen [2022] NSWCCA 75; 108 NSWLR 17 Haile v The Queen [2022] NSWCCA 71 Vamadevan v The King [2024] NSWCCA 223 Stanley v DPP (NSW) [2023] HCA 3; 278 CLR 1 Taylor v R [2020] NSWCCA 355
The Chief Justice on principles of Crown Appeals 6. R v White [2025] NSWCCA 111 7. R v Thompson [2025] NSWCCA 133 The Court of Appeal on protest powers 8. Jarrett v State of New South Wales [2026] NSWCA 62 Paper Browne v Dunn: Putting a Dangerous Weapon in the Hands of a Prosecutor, by Squadron Leader Michael King, NSW Deputy Senior Public Defender. From Criminal CPD Library:https://www.criminalcpdlibrary.com.au/ Speeches by the Chief Justice
Opening remarks at Solution Focused Justice: A Cross Jurisdictional Symposium When an accused goes into evidence Statement on bail “The year that was – challenges at every turn” Opening of Law Term Address
See more from the Chief Justice at: Collection of the Chief Justice’s speeches The podcast hosts wish to thank Anais Bouchier, law student for research work for this episode. https://www.linkedin.com/in/anais-bouchier-91313a299/
More from Legal Aid NSW Criminal Law Division
Episode 32, 13 October 2026: Big news! (but it’s a surprise…); Cases on s.90 and admissions, intent and ADVO’s, when does a pre-recorded trial begin for discount purposes, a new guideline judgment for driving matters and sentencing prisoners on remand. Cases cited
It’s back to regular programming! In Episode 31 Sophie and Caitlin discuss:
Episode 29 of the 5 Cases Podcast; Is everyone at CLANT? Caitlin and Paul are jealous but review 5 cases for you on the topic of fitness in the Children's Court; costs in the Local Court; The rule in Hofer v The Queen; objections to the admissibility of recorded interviews and the treatment of Edwards-style lies. The cases discussed are: R v Nick [2026] NSWChC https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/19ed2e2b7a4450339aa3cf04 M v Joya [2025] NSWSC 1569 https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/19b2f2df56a559dfd0f6140a Douglas v R (a pseudonym) [2026] NSWCCA 85 https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/19ed3312f144fb3c80edbe6c R v GH [2026] NSWSC 740 https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/19eeddb253bbba89ca924758 [not published] v R [2026] NSWCCA 75: https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/19e965108e069f60a4257dc5 Section 18B of the Drug Court Act: https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-1998-150#sec.18B
In this episode, barrister Kellie Stares SC shares practical insights from her experience on how to effectively cross-examine police officers. She explores strategies for dealing with experienced officers who are familiar with court processes and skilled at managing their presentation in the witness box. Kellie discusses techniques she uses to achieve fair outcomes, including carefully working through the paper trail, understanding what police guidelines require to go in notebook entries, and leveraging material uncovered through subpoenas. She also examines the serious consequences of “tunnel vision” in the prosecution of matters, and how it can negatively impact innocent accused persons.
In this bumper episode, Sophie Anderson and Caitlin Akthar talk you through the new must-know High Court authority on tendency, The King v AR [2026] HCA 10; how to stop unfair Crown questioning of accused in McGuire v R [2021]NSWCCA 287 and [redacted]; the admissibility of expert certificates in JS v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW)[2026] NSWCA 58, and whether the strength of the Crown case affects the utilitarian discount in SH v R [2026]NSWCCA 35. 1. The King v AR [2026] HCA 10 2. McGuire v R [2021] NSWCCA 287 3. [REDACTED] 4. JS v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) [2026] NSWCA 58 5. SH v R [2026] NSWCCA 35 Palmer v The Queen (1998) 193 CLR 1