Maclaren Wall

Maclaren accepts briefs in a broad range of matters, with a particular focus on criminal law, administrative law and family law (parenting).

He is an experienced trial and appellate advocate, regularly appearing in courts and tribunals in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

Maclaren’s experience spans prosecution, defence and government practice. Before joining the Bar, he was a Senior Solicitor in the Inquiries and Criminal Law Division at the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office. He maintained a busy defence practice as a lawyer at the NT Legal Aid Commission in Alice Springs and has held various roles at the NSW and ACT offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Maclaren is available to accept briefs for interlocutory applications, trials and hearings, appeals, judicial review and merits review proceedings, inquests and regulatory matters. He also appears for the Independent Children's Lawyer in family law proceedings. He is available for matters in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

Select Cases

Hellenic Club of Canberra Ltd v ACT Gambling and Racing Commission (Occupational Discipline) [2026] ACAT 43. Review of decision by the Commission to impose disciplinary action for breaches of gambling regulations. Appeared led by A Cheshire SC and N Oram.

Decision restricted [2025] NSWCCA 48. Conviction appeal from District Court. Miscarriage of justice involving the admission of tendency evidence, appeal allowed. Appeared led by Trevallion SC.

Jones v Merker; Jones v Dunne (2023) 378 FLR 53. Sentence appeal. Failure of sentencing judge to apply the bias rule and waiver of bias rule (recently appointed judge had prosecuted defendant weeks prior), appeal allowed. Appeared unled.

Fitz v Cassidy; Fitz v Lyons [2023] NTSC 98. Conviction and sentence appeal. Trial judge misapplied the rule in Brown v Dunne, appeal allowed. Appeared unled.

Brokus v Brennan (2022) 300 ACrimR 289. Conviction appeal. Appellant convicted on basis not advanced by the prosecution, whether ‘fuck off’ and ‘cunts’ constitute obscene language, appeal allowed, finding of guilt, conviction and sentence quashed. Appeared unled.

Ahfat v Cassidy [2022] NTSC 27. Sentence appeal from Local Court. Manifest excess appeal against a suspended sentence of imprisonment, appeal dismissed. Appeared unled.

R v Justin Sube (2022) 370 FLR 151. Voir dire. Argued for exclusion of illegally obtained evidence. Court held that the seizure of postal articles without a warrant was illegal, however evidence was admitted. Appeared unled.