.png)
Presented by the Public Law Advisory Committee, this session is part of a new initiative to bring leading speakers and timely public law topics to the profession in an accessible and engaging format.
Emerging and unresolved issues in public and administrative law
What do the following issues have in common:
- identifying the pre-eminent principle of statutory construction
- the impact of model litigant principles on the grant of relief in proceedings
- apprehended bias, invalidity and judicial review
- the Hardiman principle
- the drawing of inferences in the course of judicial and administrative decision-making
- judicial and statutory immunity?
Perhaps not much in terms of underlying principles. However, each of these areas of public law raises at least one issue which is attended by ongoing uncertainty or complexity. In this presentation Tom Howe PSM KC will identify these uncertainties/complexities and discuss how they ought, or are likely to, be resolved.
THOMAS HOWE PSM KC
SPECIAL COUNSEL | AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SOLICITOR 
After a 36-year career at Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), becoming its most senior dispute resolution practitioner, Tom Howe PSM KC retired in 2022. However, in 2026 Tom returned to AGS, part-time, as Special Counsel.
Tom provides specialised consultation on all issues relating to public law, bringing a wealth of legal knowledge and experience to matters.
During his career, Tom’s in-house counsel services led to hundreds of published court and tribunal decisions, many being significant precedent-setting cases. He regularly performed the role of Acting Solicitor-General, and provided high-level advice to ministers, departmental secretaries and chief executive officers in complex and high-profile matters. Tom also acted as legal adviser to commissions and inquiries.
Tom was appointed Commonwealth Queen’s Counsel in 2007 (now KC), and was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2015 for providing the highest level of guidance ‘shaping substantial areas of public law and practice’. Tom is a member of the Australian Academy of Law and was a founding member of the Australian Dispute Resolution Advisory Council and was also appointed a Fellow of Resolution Institute. He has also authored publications on key dispute resolution issues, including for AGS’s Legal Briefing series.
DETAILS
- When: 1:30pm - 2:30pm I Wednesday 18 November 2026 (registration opens at 1:00pm)
- Where: Hybrid - In- person - ACT Law Society, Level 1, 5 Constitution Ave, Canberra. Live streaming via Teams (link will be sent upon registration)
- CPD: Members receive 1 point in core area 4
- Cost: Free for ACT Law Society members, $70 for non-members
- This session will not be recorded
Registration
| Member Registration (in-person) | Free | Register |
| Non-member Registration (in person) | $70.00(GST incl.) | Register |
| Member Registration (live streaming) | Free | Register |
| Non-member Registration (live streaming) | $70.00(GST incl.) | Register |
