ICAC INVESTIGATIONS AND TRIALS

The ICAC was founded in 1974 to provide an independent prosecuting authority to combat widespread corruption in both public and private sectors. As corruption amongst the police was of particular concern, Sir Murray Maclehose declared that “the public would have more confidence in a unit that is entirely independent and separated from any department of the Government, including the Police.".
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As a result of this history the Commission conducts prosecutions for corruption and connected offences, particularly fraud and commercial crime, as an autonomous body unrelated to the Police. 
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ICAC investigations are often protracted and cause extensive disruption to businesses both by the seizure of documents and because of adverse publicity. The prosecutions often rely heavily on informants who are protected by the Commission. In addition assets of suspects are often restrained pending resolution of the enquiry causing considerable inconvenience to them. The papers seized are frequently voluminous and require careful appraisal. They require a rapid assimilation of often complex and wide reaching material. This is a field that is directly relevant to the practice and expertise of members of our Chambers who specialize in commercial crime, restraint of assets and fraud.
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We have wide experience in defending and prosecuting these charges. Understanding the practice of the Commission is important in order to challenge video recorded interviews and uncover abuse of investigatory powers so as to maximize the prospect of a successful outcome. 

​​Members are available to attend at search and seizure or at the offices of the ICAC to give early advice.