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Extensive expertise and insights for end-to-end support

Royal Commission

Royal Commissions and Inquiries present unique challenges. High levels of public and political scrutiny and compressed timeframes increase potential risk for participants, both public and private.

MinterEllison's team has had key roles in Australia’s most significant Royal Commissions and Inquiries. We have demonstrated that we can mobilise quickly, identify legal and reputational risk through early risk mapping, and draw on our extensive expertise to respond rapidly to demands. We are skilled at dealing with and assisting key stakeholders including witnesses. Our approach considers all aspects and consequences of a Royal Commission or Inquiry from initial response to outcome, including implementation of recommendations and possible further action, for example, civil and regulatory action. 

 

MEET AN EXPERT

 

 

How we can help

MinterEllison provides comprehensive, end-to-end legal support across every phase of a Royal Commission, from the moment a Commission is announced through to implementation of final recommendations. Our services include:

  • Risk mapping and strategic planning workshops
  • Identifying legal and reputational risk
  • Establishing privilege, confidentiality and document preservation frameworks
  • Document identification, collection, review and production (including AI-assisted review)
  • Responding to Notices to Produce and other compulsory Commission processes
  • Witness identification, preparation and support hearings
  • Representation at public hearings and examination of witnesses
  • Positioning client in terms of achieving meaningful outcomes
  • Instructing and working with counsel 
  • Policy and compliance review and reform advice 
  • Internal support and stakeholder management
  • Whole-of-government coordination for public sector clients
  • Post-Commission recommendation and implementation acquittal review and transition support

 

 

Case studies

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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability 

We advised the State of Victoria in relation to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, delivering end-to-end support on evidence, witnesses, privilege, hearings and risk assessments. Our proactive risk mapping helped the State anticipate issues and manage exposure efficiently.

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Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme 

We supported the Federal Department of Social Services in the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme, managing witnesses and key stakeholders under highly compressed timeframes and streamlining evidence preparation through advanced document analytics and close collaboration with the Department’s legal team.

 
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Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption 

Retained as solicitor assisting the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption, working on every aspect of the Commission, from its establishment to the conduct of its investigations and hearings, and the preparation of the Commissioner’s report and recommendations.

 
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Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry

We acted for 18 companies across banking, superannuation and financial services in the Royal Commission, helping them respond under intense regulatory and public scrutiny while managing legal, reputational and operational risk.

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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

We acted for 75 Victorian public sector residential aged care agencies in connection with the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, providing coordinated and cost-effective support on notices, witnesses and risk management through an innovative whole-of-government delivery model.

 
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COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry

We acted for the Victorian Department of Health in the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry, mobilising a national team at speed during Melbourne’s lockdown. We managed high-volume notices, large-scale document review, witness preparation and submissions under intense time pressure and public scrutiny.

Our experience in Royal Commissions is enhanced by our deep sector-specific inquiry experience, advising universities on many lower and upper house inquiries, including:

  • Parliamentary Inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities (Cth)
  • Senate Inquiry into Australia’s Foreign Relations Bill (Cth)
  • Parliamentary Inquiry into foreign interference in Australian universities (Cth)
  • Senate Inquiry into Sexual Consent Laws (Cth)
  • Legislative Council Inquiry into the NSW university sector (NSW)
  • Legislative Council Inquiry into the Provisions of the University of Tasmania Act 1992 (Tas)
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https://www.minterellison.com/royal-commission

Our thinking and experience

Knowledge and expertise

MinterEllison's national Public Inquiries practice brings together more than 200 professionals with deep, recent experience across Australia's most significant Royal Commissions and public inquiries. Our integrated team combines Royal Commission specialists, discrimination and employment lawyers, education sector advisers, and leading legal technology and document management experts, delivering coordinated, end-to-end support wherever it is needed.

GOVERNMENTDispute resolutionEmployment and safetyEducationEducation ConsultingTechnology digital and data

Lead contacts

Rebecca Bedford

Partner, Melbourne

James Beaton

Partner, Sydney

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