The Snitch: Lawyer Brett Galloway says broken leg caused debt dramas

How did a famed lawyer break his leg? Why is the shadow treasurer embroiled in a Supreme Court case? And how did the DPP react to a seething slapdown by a judge? The Snitch is here

Brett Galloway said a broken leg put him out of action.

High-profile criminal lawyer Brett Galloway has said complications from a broken leg put him on the path to fighting moves this week to evict him from his multimillion-dollar Sydney home.

Galloway has acted in some of the state’s most infamous trials for a client list that includes members of the Ibrahim family and local politician turned jailbird Salim Mehajer.

The solicitor successfully argued for a last minute legal delay on NSW Sherriffs’ office seizing the property on Tuesday night.

It came after he was embroiled in a legal battle with non-bank lender Aquamore Finance over a loan worth more than $4m.

Mr Galloway told Snitch he intends to service the debt and fell behind on payments after breaking his leg in the Eastern Suburbs last September.

Lawyer Brett Galloway (L) and ex bikie Sam Ibrahim (R)

“I was on a moped,” Mr Galloway said.

“The lights were out on the street and it was difficult to see where I was going, it was basically black I tried to jump over an embankment that I couldn’t see in the darkness, crashed and broke my leg.

“I tried about four times to stand up and told a woman (bystander) not to call an ambulance.”

Mr Galloway said he later went to hospital where it was confirmed he had broken his leg. Making matters worse, Mr Galloway said he contracted an infection which prolonged the recovery time.

The sum total, he said, was that he could not navigate the court circuit and earn a living, given the leg work required.

The lawyer said he defaulted on the loan as a result. His case against Aquamore is listed in court on Thursday.

Galloway’s lawyer in the matter, Paul McGirr said: “I am instructed the loan will be serviced and it will be sorted.”

Dead ahead

NSW Shadow treasurer Damien Tudehope is listed as the defendant in a NSW Supreme Court case which has been launched by Sydney woman Kim Louise Amos.

So what’s the case, listed for July11, all about?

We checked in with Mr Tudehope and he said it is over the estate of deceased car salesman Laurie Weston.

Shadow treasurer Damien Tudehope. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Mr Weston was a client of Mr Tudehope in his pre-political life as a lawyer.

Given his skill set, Mr Weston named Mr Tudehope as the executor of what has been described as a “substantial estate”.

Ms Amos, who we’re told is a former de facto or partner of Mr Weston, was a beneficiary of the estate and received a property in Hurstville.

But she has launched legal action under family provisions laws against the estate.

Mr Tudehope said he was not aware of the nature of the claim.

“Until I see what legal documents or affidavits outlining what she has to say I can’t really comment,” he said.

Thankless work if you ask Snitch.

DOUBLE DOWN DPP

Director of Public Prosecutions Sally Dowling SC has doubled down against criticism about her move to secretly complain to a judge’s boss about their conduct in cases.

Not backing down: DPP Sally Dowling SC.

District Court Judge Penny Wass SC wrote a seething judgment last month after she was forced to delay a case to address criticisms from Ms Dowling over legal calls she made in three cases.

Ms Dowling made the complaint to Judge Wass’ boss, Chief judge Sarah Huggett.

The legal calls included forcing a witness to leave their phone with the court while they made an emergency bathroom break.

District Court Judge Penny Wass SC

Ms Dowling warned that further instances of Judge Wass’ calls could lead to appeals.

The big controversy in legal circles was that Ms Dowling was intervening in an ongoing case without notifying the judge, the defence or her own prosecution lawyers.

The other problem for many in the legal fraternity was that Judge Wass was forced to delay the case after being made aware of Ms Dowling’s complaints.

We put questions to Ms Dowling, who did not respond directly and instead issued the following statement through an ODPP spokesperson.

“Communications between the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief Judge of the District Court are confidential,” the spokesperson said.

“It is entirely appropriate for the Director to discuss with the Chief Judge, as the head of jurisdiction, matters of mutual concern as they arise.”

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