Ingham Court: Former magistrate Trevor Kyle questioned about lawyer credentials

A respected lawyer and former magistrate was barred from representing a man in a North Queensland court due to concerns about his legal credentials.

Lawyer Trevor Kyle outside the Ingham Magistrates Court. Picture: Cameron Bates

In unusual circumstances, a respected lawyer and former magistrate was barred from representing a man in a North Queensland court due to concerns about his legal credentials.

Making a first appearance for a Hinchinbrook man in a protracted alleged illegal fishing and poaching case in the Ingham Magistrates Court, Trevor Kyle introduced himself to the court as a “consultant lawyer with Rennick Lawyers in Townsville”.

Magistrate Cathy McLennan asked Mr Kyle if he had a “current practising certificate”, to which he replied “yes”.

She asked what date the practising certificate was issued with Mr Kyle saying Mr Rennick applied for the certificate the previous week.

Asked if it been approved, Mr Kyle said he was “led to believe it has, yes”.

Lawyer Trevor Kyle outside the Ingham Magistrates Court. Picture: Cameron Bates

He asked for permission to stand the matter down to check, with Magistrate McLennan asking Mr Kyle “to make sure you’ve got a current practising certificate”.

The case, brought at significant cost by the Queensland Fisheries in December last year, was stood down while Mr Kyle contacted the Townsville-based law firm.

When the case resumed an hour later, he said he was unable to produce the certificate.

“I tried to contact Mr Rennick for confirmation (but) rather than protract the matter any longer, I seek to withdraw … or would you allow an appearance as a friend of the court to assist.”

Lawyer Trevor Kyle outside the Ingham Magistrates Court. Picture: Cameron Bates

Magistrate McLennan said she was reluctant to allow him to appear as a friend of the court when he had previously been read into the court record as a solicitor, “and you’re not actually a solicitor”.

“And Mr Rennick has sent me a letter indicating that you are not actually employed at Rennick Lawyers.”

Mr Kyle seemed incredulous, asking if she did indeed have a letter.

She said the letter stated that Mr Kyle, a former magistrate and partner in an Ingham-based law firm, “has applied to become a consultant but nothing has formally occurred, (there is) as yet no employment contract”.

“I’m not going to allow you to appear anymore … just take a seat at the back.”

The defendant, facing a total of four serious charges, said he had been relying on Mr Kyle to get his “message across” in his submission.

He sought a further adjournment, which was granted until May 29.

Brisbane-based Fisheries lawyer Hamish Isles, who has flown into North Queensland on at least three separate occasions to prosecute the case since it was first listed in December, was given leave to appear by telephone during the next mention.

Originally published as Ingham Court: Former magistrate Trevor Kyle questioned about lawyer credentials