Robert Richter (lawyer)

Robert Richter
QC
Born 1946 (age 71–72)
Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Nationality Australian
Occupation Barrister
Years active 1971–present
Known for Representing plaintiffs unpopular in public opinion

Robert Richter QC is a prominent Australian barrister, based in Melbourne, known for his handling of a string of prominent cases.

Richter was born in Kyrgyzstan c 1946, and his family arrived in Australia in 1959. He was admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws in the late 1960s. He was called to the bar on 5  August 1971. A prominent critic of human rights violations and advocate for the rule of law, he often represents plaintiffs unpopular in public opinion, some of them high profile. He is an Adjunct Professor at Victoria University.

Personal life

Richter was born c 1946 in the then Kirghiz Republic, a federal state of the former Soviet Union.[1] His father, Berek, was a Polish Jew, and his mother, Sofia, was Ukrainian; they had met there after being displaced during World War II. After living for ten years in Israel, Richter's family moved to Melbourne, Australia, following an uncle who had already established business in the Rag Trade. Along with the rest of his family, the 13-year-old Richter arrived in Australia with little or no English. It has been reported that he taught himself English with the aid of television programs and dictionaries.[1]

Richter's son Louis is a rock musician who has been a member of Australian indie pop bands Mid-State Orange and The Lucksmiths.[1]

Richter has been described as a "progressive atheist".[2]

Tertiary education

Richter was admitted to the degrees of the Bachelor of Arts, and the Bachelor of Laws with honours from the University of Melbourne.[3] Richter was Editor of the Melbourne University Law Review.

Membership of statutory bodies and professional organisations

Richter was a committee member of the then "Criminal Bar Association of Victoria", and the Victorian Bar Council from 1997 to 1999. Richer was President of the Victorian Council for Civil Liberties from 1994 to 1996. In addition to his business as a barrister, Richter was also a part-time Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission of Victoria from 1989 to 1992.[4] He was appointed a silk on 26 November 1985.[5]

Notable cases

In 1996 Richter successfully defended John Elliott against charges that he allegedly illegally moved A$ 66.5 million from Elders IXL, to "Equiticorp Tasman Ltd", a shelf company Elliot was alleged to control.[1][6][7]

In 2002 Richter acted for Ray Williams in the HIH Insurance Royal Commission and the inter-related court cases.[1][8][9][10]

In 1998 Richter led the defense for now convicted "Hoddle Street Massacre" perpetrator Julian Knight.[1][11] Richter continues to represent Knight during his parole hearings on a pro-bono basis.[12]

In 1987, Richer acted for surgeon Dr Ian McGoldrick who was indicted on 11 charges of procuring abortions contrary to the then sections 64 to 66 of the Victorian Crimes Act 1958[1][13] The case was dismissed at committal hearings, the presiding Justice following Justice Menhennitt's reasoning in 1969 matter of R v Davidson [1969] VR 667 at 670.[14][15]

In 1994, Richter successfully defended Victorian Police officer Cliff Lockwood in the Supreme Court of Victoria against charges that Lockwood allegedly murdered Walsh Street police shootings suspect Gary Abdallah in 1989.[1][16]

In 2000 and 2003, Richter acted for then ATSIC chairman Geoff Clark.[1][17]

In 2005, Richter successfully defended Melbourne underworld crime figure Mick Gatto against the charge of murdering suspected underworld hitman Andrew Veniamin. [1]

In 2009, Richter successfully defended Labor Minister, Theo Theophanous over rape charges.[18][19] In the same year, Richter represented a high school teacher who pleaded guilty to committing sexual acts against a teenage girl. During the sentencing appeal, Richter argued that the victim was a "drama queen".[20] The appeal was successful, with Richter's client being freed.[21]

In 2016, Richter represented one of the conspirators behind the 2015 Anzac Day Terror Plot, with the conspirator sentenced to 7 years imprisonment, for a crime that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Richter argued that his client's "rehabilitation is in the public interest".[22]

In 2017, Richter was retained by Cardinal George Pell after Pell was charged by Victoria Police in relation to multiple allegations of historical child sexual abuse.[23]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Munro, Ian (23 June 2005). "The Age 1854-2004 - Brief Encounter". Melbourne, Australia: The Age. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  2. ↑ Davey, Melissa (30 March 2018). "George Pell committal: tension, theatre and tedium in courtroom 22". the Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  3. ↑ http://www.vu.edu.au/contact-us/robert-richter
  4. ↑ "Drug Policy Expert Committee > Members". www.health.vic.gov.au. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  5. ↑ "Robert Richter QC". The Victorian Bar Inc. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  6. ↑ Elliott v Seymour [1999] FCA 976 (19 July 1999), Federal Court (Australia).
  7. ↑ DPP Reference No2 of 1996 [1997] VSC 48 (26 September 1997), Supreme Court (Vic, Australia).
  8. ↑ Mealy, Rachel (8 August 2002). "Ray Williams' third day of defence at HIH inquiry". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  9. ↑ "Call for restraint following mobbing of former HIH chief". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 August 2002. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  10. ↑ R v Williams [2005] NSWSC 315 (15 April 2005), Supreme Court (NSW, Australia).
  11. ↑ Pitt, Helen (19 April 1998). "Accused wanted to Die". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  12. ↑ http://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/qc-helps-hoddle-street-killer-julian-knights-feredom-bid/news-story/3dea643bfd4b11b1425b5d9081f10b63
  13. ↑ Crimes Act 1958 (Vic).
  14. ↑ "Abortion Law Reform Bill 2008" (PDF). Parliament of Victoria. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  15. ↑ "McGoldrick cleared on 11 abortion counts". The Age. 3 June 1987. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  16. ↑ Buttler, Mark (29 December 2009). "Drug case against ex-cop shooter of Gary Abdallah". Herald Sun. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  17. ↑ Tozer, Kate (25 February 2003). "Clark claims racism in pub brawl case". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  18. ↑ https://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/news/top-silk-to-defend-mp-in-sex-case/news-story/f19e3f4cf8b2e05af07e5f7e722ec25e?sv=f0d686301b0894a0446f4365eefa3179
  19. ↑ http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/619685/rape-charge-dismissed-against-mp-theo-theophanous/
  20. ↑ http://www.news.com.au/news/teen-sex-victim-drama-queen-lawyer/news-story/7834309fc61763cbb68034d92566b3a8
  21. ↑ http://www.news.com.au/news/sex-act-teacher-in-love-150-judge/news-story/2d563a4472366defc74ba33949b41956
  22. ↑ https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/jail-sentences-for-men-guilty-of-terrorrelated-offences-too-lenient-court-told-20170609-gwnxtd.html
  23. ↑ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/cardinal-pell-hires-top-criminal-barrister/news-story/5a5c565b01942b8676f4b5e9094fea3b
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.