Bar Association welcomes review of Bail Act

09/06/2011

Attorney General Greg Smith SC has given the New South Wales Law Reform Commission a reference to review the Bail Act, amid concerns that juveniles have been unfairly victimised. President Bernard Coles QC has welcomed the inquiry, in particular its focus on examining bail presumptions under the Act, and indicated that the association will prepare a detailed submission to the Law Reform Commission.

The Hon Hal Sperling QC will chair the review. A large amount of work has been done in this area in recent times and the commission has decided not to release a consultation paper.� Instead they are releasing a brief introduction to the reference and a series of questions to assist those who wish to make a submission. The closing date for submissions is** 22 July 2011**. Mr Sperling will deliver his report by November. The terms of reference and consultation questions are available from the commission's web site.

**9 June 2011 **