You have been summonsed by IBAC or the NACC.

A summons from an anti-corruption commission is compulsory, and these bodies have powers no court has. Preparation is everything, and it starts before you tell anyone.

Right now

  1. Do not ignore it. Failing to attend is a criminal offence.
  2. Check for a confidentiality notice. You may be prohibited from discussing the summons with anyone other than your lawyer. Breaching that is an offence too.
  3. Understand the ground rules. You cannot refuse to answer on the basis that the answer may incriminate you. Protections limit how your answers can later be used, but they have edges, and you should know them before you appear.
  4. Engage experienced lawyers early. The commissions give witnesses only the barest outline of what they will be asked. Preparation fills that gap.

What we do

We prepare witnesses and appear with them at private and public examinations, manage document production, and advise on how evidence given can affect later proceedings. Our partner Tam McLaughlin was formerly Principal Lawyer at IBAC and appeared as counsel assisting in its examinations; we know these hearings from both sides of the table.

Read more about our Investigations and Inquiries practice

Talk to us today

All consultations are private and confidential. For urgent matters please call +61 3 8676 7929. Telephone is answered out of hours. Contact us