In the Matter Of Lisa Jane Barrett

The applicant, Lisa Jane Barrett, sought admission as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia. The Board of Examiners had unanimously determined that she was a fit and proper person for admission, despite concerns arising from her previous career as a midwife. These concerns had led to a coronial inquiry, proceedings before the South Australian Health Practitioners Tribunal, and criminal proceedings in the Supreme Court.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether the applicant was a fit and proper person to be admitted as a legal practitioner, notwithstanding the adverse findings made against her by the Health Practitioners Tribunal and the circumstances of her previous professional conduct. The Court was required to assess her suitability for admission in light of this history.

The Court admitted the applicant, finding her to be a fit and proper person. This decision was made after considering the applicant's explanations and answers regarding her past conduct, along with character references and psychological evidence. Crucially, the Court noted that the applicant had not been convicted of any criminal offence and that there was no suggestion of dishonesty in the findings of the Health Practitioners Tribunal. The Court's ultimate order was that the applicant be admitted as a practitioner of the Court.