The Bad Place9News | Top barrister spared jail time for 'blatant dishonesty' by 9News
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Norman O’Bryan, a 68‑year‑old senior barrister from a prominent legal family, was convicted of attempting to falsely claim fees from vulnerable class‑action clients in the collapsed Banksia Securities case and was spared jail, receiving a four‑year community‑corrections order with 600 hours of unpaid work. Judge Fran Dalziel described his dishonesty as “blatant” and a serious breach of client trust, but noted his genuine remorse, longstanding good character, extensive pro‑bono service and the fact that none of the clients actually paid the fraudulent fees. Consequently, the court imposed the maximum non‑custodial sentence, acknowledging that a jail term would have been likely had he not pleaded guilty, while O’Bryan has already been struck off the bar, declared bankruptcy, returned his Order of Australia medal and sold his house to repay $1.25 million.
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