Tim Gordon
Partner •
Brisbane
Statements of reasons – how to make them effective and meet procedural fairness requirements
Overview
Many government decision-making/review regimes now require decision-makers to provide a Statement of Reasons to justify their decision, including the Judicial Review Act 1991 (Qld). Even if it is not formally mandated, a Statement of Reasons is widely accepted as a critical component of best practice decision-making. It allows affected individuals to understand the rationale behind decisions and reinforces accountability, transparency and the defensibility of decision-making at all levels.
Government Decision-makers, particularly at senior levels, therefore need a strong understanding of the nuances of the preparation of Statements of Reasons, and the Courts' evolving expectations about their content. Our workshop will take you through these matters in a straightforward, real-world context, and will give you the opportunity to workshop any difficult issues you have encountered.
To register, scroll down past 'Event Details' and click the 'Register' button within the green shaded banner.
Who should attend?
Any government officers involved in decision-making processes. However, our workshop is particularly tailored for officers who prepare complex briefing notes or make complex decisions requiring the consideration of high-level Government policy issues at Executive and Senior levels, voluminous briefing packages and lengthy decision-making processes.
What we will cover
In this session, we will cover critical practical considerations in the preparation of advanced and complex Statements of Reasons, including:
The rules governing entitlement to a Statement of Reasons and the underlying rationale for giving reasons
Practical issues associated with Statements of Reasons - for example, time limits, mechanisms of refusal, requests for supplementation
Appropriately satisfying the requirements set out in the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld)
Articulating the underlying legal / policy bases of a decision the subject of a Statement of Reasons
Identifying and dealing with material questions of fact
Properly considering (and referencing) evidence
Dealing with confidential information
Demonstrating proper and genuine engagement with evidence and submissions.
What you will learn
Our workshop will equip you with a practical, real-world skillset to break down, in a straightforward way, complex and voluminous decision-making processes and prepare comprehensive and rational Statements of Reasons.
Our workshop will equip decision-makers with the ability to foresee and forestall potential areas of future challenge, avoid those pitfalls, and maximise the defensibility of their decisions – both when challenged externally through legal processes, and reviewed internally by Senior Officers, Ministers and Government.
Event Details
Date: 20 August
Time: 8.45am for 9.00am - 12.45pm
Venue:
Clayton Utz Brisbane
Cost: Inc GST
$893 per person
$804 per person if booking two weeks before the workshop
$758 per person if in a group of three or more
Further information:
Phone: 1800 882 110
Email [email protected]
To Register:
Meet the trainers
Kirby Reid
Senior Associate •
Brisbane
Sam Weston
Senior Associate •
Brisbane
What our clients say
Statements of reasons – how to make them effective and meet procedural fairness requirements
Effective training, interactive with examples relevant to work.
The presentation covered all the key aspects of the subject in an informational style.
Well set out topic, clear and concise. Good example/practice guide.
Great workshop – very easy to understand, which I appreciate as a non-lawyer.
I liked the reference to previous court findings and other examples used to get learning across. Materials provided as a part of the course were good and useful.
Practical activities were very useful.
Support when you need it most
As a participant of our program you'll have comfort in knowing that you can depend on us for ongoing support. Whether it be two weeks or two years after the workshop, you can call us at any time for a short, no-cost consultation.
Recommended CPD point allocation: 3 points (excluding WA).
If this particular educational activity is relevant to your immediate or long term needs in relation to your professional development and practice of the law, then you should claim one CPD unit for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. Please contact your Professional Body for your state.