Repeat offender of smuggling reptiles receives record sentence
A 61 year old Sydney man, Neil Andrew Simpson, was sentenced in the Downing Centre District Court on 13 February 2026 for the attempted and actual export of native Australian reptiles.
Attorney-General (Cth) v Benjamin Roberts-Smith
Last updated: 2 June 2026
On 7 April 2026, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) arrested Benjamin Roberts-Smith (the defendant) and charged him with five offences of the war crime of murder contrary to s 268.70(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
CDPP Counsel General Contractual Arrangements
These general contractual arrangements apply to all counsel engagements by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP) for the conduct of criminal prosecutions or related proceedings, in accordance with the relevant letter of engagement at the time of entering into the engagement. They are in addition to the Briefing Terms and Conditions attached to the relevant letter of engagement.
For any queries, please contact counsel@cdpp.gov.au.
Court updates
Last updated: 26 May 2026
| Date | Court | Outcome |
| 26 May 2026 | Perth Magistrates Court |
The matter was listed for a third mention of the Commonwealth charge and fourth mention of the State charges. The Court adjourned all charges to 16 September 2026 for a first committal mention in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court. This is to provide time for the brief of evidence to be compiled and disclosed. |
Prosecution of Liam Alexander Hall
Last updated: 26 May 2026
On 4 February 2026, the WA Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) (comprising the Western Australian Police Force, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) charged Liam Alexander Hall (the defendant) with one charge of committing a terrorist act.
CDPP Writing Style Guide
The CDPP Writing Style Guide is a tool for staff of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP). External counsel briefed by the CDPP may also be assisted by this guide and are encouraged to apply it as appropriate.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| CDPP Writing Style Guide | 888.78 KB |
Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements 2025-26
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements 2025-26 | 681.47 KB |
Court updates
Last updated: 10 June 2026
Prosecution of Naveed Akram
Last updated: 10 June 2026
On 17 December 2025, the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) (comprising the New South Wales Police Force, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission) formally referred the prosecution of charges against Naveed Akram (the defendant) to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP).