EFTA00081863.pdf

'Ns b a Ina: copy Oaths Act 1867 hich Statutory Declaration tr.c-ec .Anthony John SRI QUEENSLAND TO WIT I, William Patrick Cusack, of In the State of Queensland, Solicitor do solemnly and sincerely declare that:- 1. I am a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland. I was admitted on 17 March 1970 and am presently working as a senior solicitor for Mr. Alexander Andrew Tees trading as GB Legal. 7. In about Aoril/Mav 2016 Mr. Tees asked me if I could act as mentor /supervisor for a young lawyer also employed by Mr. Tees, in connection with a major criminal matter involving the male spouse of one of Mr. Tee's long- standing clients. 3. The matter received wide spread newspaper publicity and concerned charges of commercial drug trafficking against one Mr. Orville Alfa Adriaan De Raadt("De Raadt"). immediate task was in connection with a proposed bail application which IS was in the course of preparing together with a brief to and intik David T. Cole of counsel from the bar at Southport in which locality Mr. was practising. 5. As a young solicitor it was my perception that had been very much thrown into the deep end because of the scope, complexity and importance of the matter and this was more so because Mr. Tees was not readily available and therefore required an experienced practitioner who could devote time and effort to ensure that the retainer was carried out in an efficient and professional manner. 6. I agreed to help and supervise in his and the firm's Interests. The scope of work and time and effort expende was far more than originally anticipated but for me ,as I believe was also the case with once we had accepted the responsibility to act we were bound to see the matter through no matter what the exigencies of the case turned out to be. Eventually we had to withdraw because the client and his spouse did not honor their fee commitments. 7. Unfortunately the same outcome occurred in connection with the matter of an application for withdrawal of plea and appeal against conviction for murder and related matters on behalf of one Mr. Raymond John Mead("Mead") who represented he had funds set aside to pay his fees but this did not materialize. 8. In the meantime there were several court mentions/appearances which the writer attended on behalf and correspondence with DPP as well as several visits to correctional centre to obtain instructions. First Sheet Made and Declared at —r this 0Z31010( 2018 clarant ltrstitIrrTtre-Peeee /Commissioner for Declarations lo EFTA00081863 9. has informed me and I do verily believe that he worked 24/7 to manage the clien s and cases throughout 2016/2017/2018. 10. In the De Raadt matter there were also numerous attendances with the client who was In custody and court appearances and bail application final hearing._ did all the prison visits and made all the necessary arrangeme nts to set them up. 11. As with the Mead matter we would discuss the purposes of each visit and the information obtained and or to be imparted except where counsel attended. I supervised from April-May 2016 to September/October 2017 as part of the work I did for Mr. Tees. 12. Work on these matters extended from ay 2016 to September /October 2017. Except for court appearance which [tended our usual means of communication were by phone and emails. did legal research under my directions and I prepared and or settled drafts of letters and affidavits. 13. For the purpose of making this declaration I have refreshed my memory by reference to my email account and say that relative to the above matters I sent and or received more than 600 emails from for the period In question. 14. I found to be polite, enthusiastic and hard working. Also, willing to listen and follow ins rue ions/advice no matter the personal cost in terms of time or convenience e.g. weekend or short notice prison visits. 15. I am aware that also worked matters and on practice business development. My understand ing was that uties during this time included all normal duties of an employed solicitor acting mainly in the area of Criminal Law/Corporate Law with much of his time being spent on several very large criminal files. 14. To my observations in attending to the abovementioned and during the period in question where I was acting as mentor/ supervis or was working in legal practice on a full-time basis. I received timely response to all communica tions. 15. In the Rai. John Mead matter in particular time limits /obligations were stringent, but fully cooperated to make sure that we were compliant with all orders and directions. true, 16. And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be and by virtue of the provisions of the Oaths Act 1867. Second Sheet .92 Of Taken and declared before me at g lIS.6 "chis‘-- (day of 2018 t. Declarant A Justice of the Peace/Commissioner for Declarations Allison Jane Robaldo , Commissioner for Declarations /2 7o 3 \--/ nis is to rectify th;, is n flue copy 2 which I of the origin! have sighted Date_ ........ Signed Nam, Anthony John BRITT EFTA00081864