History and Role of the Criminal Law Review Division

The Criminal Law Review Division (CLRD) is a small group contained within the New South Wales Department of Justice and Attorney General. CLRD was established in 1975 to advise the Attorney General on the reform of the criminal law generally, to monitor its effectiveness and to research policy issues relating to the law.

CLRD provides advice to the State Attorney General about all aspects of criminal law and develops and conducts the legislative program of the NSW Attorney General with regard to the reform of criminal law. CLRD provides advice to the State Government generally on the same topic. CLRD officers also attend Parliament and represent the Attorney on various committees.

CLRD officers are usually practising criminal lawyers, most often drawn from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Legal Aid Commission, who take a two-year secondment to the Division. This arrangement means that Policy Officers bring current practising experience and a working understanding of the law to their position. Directors are traditionally either a Crown Prosecutor or a Public Defender.

Present Director of CLRD

Ms Penny Musgrave

Penny Musgrave has been Director of CLRD since January 2008.

Past Directors of CLRD

Laura Wells (Crown Prosecutor)
Lloyd Babb SC (Crown Advocate)
Judge Mark Marien SC
Chrissa Loukas (Public Defender)
Andrew Haesler (Public Defender)
Richard Button SC (Public Defender)
Justice Megan Latham
Judge Peter Berman SC
Judge Debbie Payne
Magistrate Jill Orchiston
Justice Rod Howie QC
Paul Byrne SC
Judge Greg Woods QC
Judge Roger Court QC (inaugural Director)