Travelling North

The paper began with a role play starring local counsel, academics and students: Wayne Elliott, Justin Gregory, Sean Johnson, Boyd Johnstone, Brooke Crosby and Dr  Louise Floyd. (Dr  Floyd co-founded the BAQ-JCU series in 2009 along with Ms  Helen Breene of the Bar Association and Mr  Tony Collins of the Townville Bar). The role play featured many of the things that could go wrong in a mediation eg attempts to influence witnesses; omitting crucial relevant new authorities; and misrepresentations about whether parties were willing to proceed to trial.  Mr Douglas SC then addressed the appropriate ethical approach to these problems.

The evening was chaired by Hon Judge John Baulch SC, who was proclaimed Townsville’s new District Court judge earlier that day.

The BAQ-JCU series makes an important contribution to continuing professional development in regional Queensland

Hard at Work:  Participants in the role play preparing for the night: Sean Johnson, Wayne Elliott, Richard Douglas SC, Dr  Louise Floyd, Boyd Johnstone and Justin Gregory.