Lawyers could be advocates for Australian terrorism suspects

The Australian government is being urged to pass legislation which would allow security-cleared lawyers to act as advocates for terrorism suspects in closed court hearings. A statement from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security says that the bipartisan group recommends passing the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2015.  
The bill would bring in a number of measures including “introducing legislation to create a system of special advocates as soon as practicable and no later than the end of 2016 to represent the interests of control order subjects who have had information withheld from them.” The committee says the proposed changes are in response to the “evolving nature of the terrorist threat in Australia.”
 
International firm appoints Asia managing partner
Andrew Stott is to become managing partner of international TMT law firm Olswang Asia with effect May 1st. Stott has been in Singapore since 2012 when he joined the firm to launch its corporate practice. He will succeed Rob Bratby who is returning to London to take up a global telecoms and emerging markets role for the firm. Olswang’s Singapore office also has a new partner following the promotion of commercial lawyer Matt Pollins. He becomes the firm’s first Singapore associate to join the partnership.
 
Two new partners at Two Birds
Bird & Bird has hired two new partners for its Asia-Pacific offices. Jonathan Choo joins from Olswang in Singapore where he was head of the Asian arbitration and DR practice and co-head of the international arbitration group. Meanwhile Robert Rhoda joins the Hong Kong office from RPC’s commercial disputes group.
 
White & Case associate bolsters Indonesian practice
Witara Cakra Advocates in Indonesia has hired two partners to bolster its capital markets and banking capabilities. Kristo Molina and Fajar Ramadhan join WCA, the associate firm of White & Case, from Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung, associate of Herbert Smith Freehills. Molina has joined this week and Ramadhan starts next Monday.