North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency without a principal legal officer after split with Nick Espie

In the latest management drama to hit the Territory’s largest legal agency, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency has confirmed it has split with one of its most senior solicitors.

The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency has confirmed Nick Espie had “ceased employment” with the legal service.

The Territory’s largest legal agency is facing fresh internal chaos with the departure of one of its most senior solicitors, amid a messy unfair dismissal clash in the Federal Court.

The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency has confirmed Nick Espie had “ceased employment” with the legal aid provider, leaving the service without a principal legal officer.

On Friday, NAAJA staff were told via an email Mr Espie had “ceased employment” with the organisation less than a year into his new role.

Mr Espie’s Facebook profile was updated to state he “worked” at NAAJA.

The Arrernte man and senior Territory legal figure was previously the Human Rights Law Centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ rights Legal Director, Director of Community Engagement for the Royal Commission into the Detention and Protection of Children in the NT and has served in management roles at NAAJA and the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia.

The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency has confirmed Nick Espie had “ceased employment” with the legal aid provider, leaving the service without a principal legal officer.

Concerns have been raised about the lack of a principal legal officer at the legal aid service, with NAAJA staffed by many junior lawyers with huge workloads.

Early career lawyers are often on ‘restricted’ practising certificates, which require the supervision from ‘unrestricted’ senior lawyers or a PLO who hold professional indemnity insurance on their behalf.

But acting chief executive Olga Havnen told the NT News on Tuesday “there is no legal requirement for NAAJA to have a PLO”, but did not respond to further questions.

In the email to staff, Ms Havnen said it would not be “appropriate” to provide more details surrounding the reasons for the senior lawyer’s departure.

Ms Havnen acknowledged the news of the principal legal officer may be “unsettling”, but told staff to “go about business as usual”.

NAAJA acting chief executive Olga Havnen told the NT News on Wednesday that “there is no legal requirement for NAAJA to have a PLO”, but did not respond to further questions. Picture: Sierra Haigh

“There is no reason that staff are unable to practise or to represent clients,” Ms Havnen wrote.

“There was and is absolutely no reason for this unnecessary hype and anxiety.

“It would be helpful if staff could get on with your regular work.

“I do not anticipate any further significant changes to the leadership team.”

Mr Espie departure from the Aboriginal legal aid service is the latest management disruption amid a protracted Fair Work unfair dismissal case involving the NAAJA chief executive Priscilla Atkins. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Ms Havnen is the second person appointed as the NAAJA acting chief executive in the past year, with Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory head John Paterson leaving the role after just six months.

There are 10 job vacancies being advertised by the legal aid service, including a justice policy partnership policy officer, law and justice project coordinator and a police and prison accountability consultant.

Mr Espie departure from the Aboriginal legal aid service is the latest management disruption amid a protracted Fair Work unfair dismissal case involving the NAAJA chief executive Priscilla Atkins.

Ms Atkins has told the Federal Court she is seeking compensation for loss of income, “distress, anxiety, shock and humiliation” and “damage to her professional reputation”.

Originally published as North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency without a principal legal officer after split with Nick Espie