DPP Act immunity applied

The immunity of a Crown prosecutor under s. 25 of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1984 (DPP Act) was considered for the first time in Queensland by the District Court in Richardson v State of Queensland [2015] QDC.

The plaintiff commenced a District Court claim against the Crown prosecutor and the State of Queensland for malicious prosecution and false imprisonment.

Section 25 provides immunity from liability for any act or omission done by a person assisting the Director of Public Prosecutions in giving effect to that Act or in performing a function or exercising a power under the Act.

Assistant Crown Solicitor, Paula Freeleagus has developed a Legal Update that explores the legal principles of the matter and explains the Court’s decision.

The publication is available here.