Andrew
Tiedt

Sydney man pleads guilty to impersonating solicitor

Pretending to be a lawyer isn't as clever as the TV show Suits makes it out to be. There is good reason for taking this kind of offending seriously. Solicitors have all manner of obligations and regulations that must be followed. Misconduct can be reported and dealt with. The court needs to be able to have confidence that people appearing and purporting to be solicitors are actually accredited to do so.

Trial delays are intolerable

"It is intolerable in a civilised society that Australia claims to be, that someone presumed innocent should have to wait two-and-a-half years before their guilt is determined."

The 'Mr Big' undercover technique

Andrew discussed the undercover police technique where suspects are lured into fake criminal organisations to elicit confessions, exploring concerns about false confessions while noting the technique's effectiveness when suspects provide information only the real perpetrator would know.

Mental health diversion vs 'not criminally responsible'

Criticised an article for conflating s14 Local Court mental health diversion applications with 'act proven but not criminally responsible' verdicts — calling the comparison 'a ridiculous comparison' that adds confusion.

Copyright and media reporting — Bondi Junction

The family of Bondi Junction stabbing victim Dawn Singleton is suing Nine Network and SMH for copyright infringement over published photographs. Implications for fair dealing exceptions in news reporting.

Leaked police watch house footage

Commentary on leaked police watch house footage of a Darwin lawyer.

Newport Airbnb hidden cameras

Matthew Page, 63, pleaded guilty to recording intimate images without consent and producing child abuse material after setting up secret cameras in a Newport Airbnb.

Sexual abuse survivor — $8M settlement

A sexual abuse survivor received a record $8 million settlement from a Melbourne primary school.

NSW courts restrict access to judgments

Commentary on NSW courts restricting public access to judgments.

ICAC raids City of Parramatta

The Independent Commission Against Corruption raided the City of Parramatta's staff offices and seized mobile phones of senior staff.

Federal sex trafficking judge

Commentary on the judge in a federal sex trafficking case.

High-profile Sydney man — guilty conscience

Commentary on a high-profile Sydney case involving allegations of misconduct with intimate video evidence.

Opening of Law Term Dinner 2026

Another absolutely outstanding Opening of Law Term Dinner. It's always a pleasure to come together with the profession, the judiciary, and other stakeholders.

ChatGPT caricature

Did you know that if you ask ChatGPT nicely, it will create a caricature of you based on what it can discover about you online?

Autopen and digital signatures in law

This story goes to an uncomfortable issue — when is it acceptable to use digital or artificial signatures? Discusses Trump's claims that Biden's autopen-signed pardons were void.

Sydney underworld figure — bail refused

An alleged Sydney underworld figure facing conspiracy to murder charges was refused bail and remains in Australia's highest security prison. Conditions include continuous video monitoring, solitary confinement 22 hours daily, one six-minute call per day.

Sydney dance teacher under investigation

A well-known Sydney dance teacher is under investigation.

Hospitality businessman — child abuse material

James Terence Rebbeck, a Sydney cafe owner, sentenced to three years in jail for soliciting, accessing, transmitting and disseminating child abuse material over encrypted platforms.

Avalanche of posts — end of year reflection

Amidst the avalanche of posts about what happened in criminal law this year.

Strip search class action — police admit unlawful searches

Shortly before court hearing, class action involving 3,000 people — force admitted to unlawfully strip-searching plaintiff Raya Meredith. Police made an 'outrageous' submission asking the judge to infer that searching her breasts and genital area was 'objectively necessary' without any evidence. The largest class action against any police force in Australian history.

NSW Police powers — everything that is wrong

This video is everything that is wrong with some elements of NSW police. Our laws give police extraordinary powers. Most police officers use those powers responsibly and legally. Those that can not or will not do so need to be kicked out (and, preferably, criminally prosecuted) as soon as possible.

Victims rarely bring civil claims against sexual offenders

I find it surprising how rarely victims bring civil claims against those who have committed sexual offences. Civil cases have a lower standard of proof and can proceed even if criminal charges are dismissed. Barriers include the lengthy process, cross-examination requirements, and upfront legal costs.

Citizens arrest — as a general rule

As a general rule, conducting a citizens arrest is fraught with legal risk. Commentary on the legal framework and practical dangers of citizens arrests.

Key Criminal Law Cases of 2024

Feature article analysing 20 key criminal cases of 2024, based on Andrew's Law Society webinar. Covered R v Hodson (child sex offence sentencing increased on Crown appeal), Symons v R and McDonald v R (new trials ordered following co-accused precedent), Bugmy v DPP (unlawful arrest), Black directions, and civil claims against defendants' estates.

Lawyers Welcome Proposed Demerit Point System Overhaul

Quoted extensively on the NSW Government's proposed demerit system overhaul. Called it 'a sensible approach to punishment and fines' and argued the system should 'have regard to a person's history, and reward people who change their behaviour.'

The Case That Changed Me

Andrew's first jury trial — a serious assault case arising from a road rage incident at Parramatta District Court, where he argued self-defence. The case that transformed him from instructing barristers to running his own jury trials.

Unfortunately for outraged journalists, the high court was right to rein in Icac

Andrew defends the High Court's decision in the Margaret Cunneen case to limit ICAC's powers, arguing that while journalists loved ICAC for its investigative powers, the ruling was 'good news for the rest of society' in protecting civil liberties.

Barry O'Farrell's new 'one-punch laws' will not serve justice

Andrew argues that mandatory minimum penalties are ineffective and that the one-punch law proposal is 'gravely misguided' and will 'disproportionately affect the disenfranchised.'