Author Archives: andrew

New sexual consent laws in NSW will not help – Cunneen SC

Posted on June 23, 2021 by andrew

Hold on, warns MARGARET CUNNEEN SC, in her talk addressing the Rule of Law Education Centre conference, The Presumption of Guilt, on June 15, 2021. 

Posted in General articles | 11 Comments

What we’ve learned about the administration of the law in Tasmania

Posted on June 21, 2021 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. After eight years of studying the case of mild mannered Hobart grandmother Sue Neill-Fraser, convicted of murdering her partner Bob Chappell on Australia Day, 2009, we have learnt that administering the law in Tasmania doesn’t always work … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 33 Comments

Legal Profession Board complaint against …. who was that?

Posted on June 20, 2021 by andrew

We invited the Legal Profession Board of Tasmania to respond to our criticism (published June 11, 2021) of its dismissal of the complaint against Stuart Wright, Meaghan Vass’ lawyer at the Sue Neill-Fraser appeal (March 1-3, 2021) and await their … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 7 Comments

Robert Xie murder conviction – “They have no case against Xie” says QC

Posted on June 18, 2021 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. Five members of a family brutally murdered – no clues, no weapons, no motive, yet the law chased Robert Xie through four trials and an appeal for over 11 years to get a conviction, ignoring the absurdity … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 11 Robert Xie | Leave a comment

ENQUIRY into Sue Neill-Fraser’s unlawful murder conviction

Posted on June 16, 2021 by andrew

PREAMBLE Tasmania’s legal system and political leadership have ignored several calls over the years for an enquiry or a Royal Commission into the 2010 murder conviction of Sue Neill-Fraser. Well, if they won’t, we will. After eight years of investigating … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | Leave a comment

Tasmania – where The Law wears protection

Posted on June 12, 2021 by andrew

The latest example of Tasmania’s legal system protecting itself from scrutiny is the Legal Profession Board of Tasmania dismissing a complaint against a practicing lawyer by mischaracterising the complaint. It follows the pattern of self-serving self protection exhibited throughout the … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 17 Comments

Legal Profession Board wrongly dismisses Vass complaint against Wright

Posted on June 11, 2021 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. The tumultuous end (in March 2021) to the latest appeal* against her murder conviction by Sue Neill-Fraser, was detonated by an unfulfilled undertaking from Stuart Wright, the lawyer assigned to key witness Meaghan Vass. Vass complained to … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 36 Comments

We urge the AG to consider a national CCRC

Posted on June 10, 2021 by andrew

In the following letter, wrongfulconvictionsreport – with the support of several senior figures in the legal community – urges the Attorney General to consider establishing a Criminal Cases Review Commission, arguing valid reasons and outlining a practical formula. We hope … Continue reading →

Posted in CCRC, General articles | 14 Comments

How Kathleen Folbigg appeal wrongs can be put right – rapidly

Posted on June 2, 2021 by andrew

Dr Bob Moles Yesterday (June 1, 2021) it was announced by the High Court that Kathleen Folbigg has lodged an application for special leave to appeal. As a legal commentator and academic I am discussing with my students the significance … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 17 Kathleen Folbigg | 6 Comments

Famous last words – the prosecutor’s closing address at the Sue Neill-Fraser trial

Posted on May 30, 2021 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban Former DPP Tim Ellis SC claimed Meaghan Vass was bullied, treated ferociously at trial; ironically enough, eleven years later it was Ellis’ successor Daryl Coates SC who, allegedly, did the bullying. 

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser | 13 Comments