Lawyer X identity to be revealed on this website on Friday
The identity of Lawyer X, the barrister at the centre of Australia’s biggest legal scandal, will be revealed on this website on Friday afternoon. Here’s all the details, including the exact time.
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The identity of Lawyer X, the barrister at the centre of Australia’s biggest legal scandal, will be revealed on this website at 4.15pm on Friday.
After the Court of Appeal last Thursday rejected a Victoria Police bid to keep Lawyer X’s name and image under wraps, the force had until yesterday to pursue further action in the High Court to keep her identity secret.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton decided not to go ahead. It ends a five-year legal battle for the truth.
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The Herald Sun first revealed in March 2014 that police had recruited Lawyer X to inform on her clients during the gangland wars.
But the force immediately moved to shut the story down through the courts.
Last December, the High Court ruled the Director of Public Prosecutions must be allowed to alert clients of Lawyer X that their convictions could have been tainted due to her informing, and her identity should be revealed on February 5.
The bombshell ruling over the “reprehensible” police conduct prompted the Andrews Government to call a royal commission.
Mr Ashton then launched a last-ditch bid to stop the barrister from ever being identified, prompting last Thursday’s Court of Appeal hearing.
The Herald Sun, the royal commission and the Victoria and Commonwealth directors of public prosecutions all argued in favour of the release of her name.
Lawyer X was registered as a police informer at least three times — in 1995, 1999 and 2005. The high-profile barrister has claimed credit for the arrests and charging of 386 people, including her clients.
But the High Court found her actions “were fundamental and appalling breaches” of her obligations and duties as a lawyer, while the force was “involved in sanctioning atrocious breaches of the sworn duty of every police officer”.
The malpractice could result in the early release of a hitman, gangland boss Tony Mokbel, several of his cartel members, major drug trafficker Rob Karam and others.