VPRS 16496 Notes of Counsel Assisting the Commission

This series consists of material created and gathered by Counsel Assisting the Commission, during the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. The role of counsel assisting was described in the Commission’s final report as covering a range of activities associated with the work of the Commission, specifically: In consultation with the Commissioners, directing the investigation of the Commission and presenting the evidence for the Commissioners’ consideration. Managing the hearing program. Providing advice and assistance in developing Commission processes, in determining matters for examination during hearings and on questions of law and practice as they arose. Providing advice on the parties seeking leave to appear before the Commission. Selecting witnesses to be called to provide evidence. Examining witnesses. Deciding what documents and other material should be summonsed and tendered. Preparing submissions on specific topics dealt with in the hearings, for comment by other parties and consideration by the Commissioners. The series consists of digital and physical records.