Andrews crash case headed to civil trial after mediation fails
Neither Daniel nor Catherine Andrews are parties to the civil proceeding, which is between Meuleman and Slater and Gordon.
During a brief hearing in the Supreme Court last month, ahead of mediation, Catlin denied an accusation that Meuleman’s lawyers may have mishandled documents.
Slater and Gordon raised the “potential” misuse of documents with the court, telling the judicial registrar they sought the court’s guidance on the matter.
Catlin queried whether the suggestion was being made to intimidate his client ahead of mediation and burden his client, who is on Centrelink.
“What is really behind this is the dog-whistling suggestion someone has committed contempt? So if they want to bring a contempt summons they should,” Catlin said.
Catlin said the case itself had attracted significant public interest.
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He maintained his client had not breached any undertaking regarding documentation and recordings he received during the current court proceedings. This included the Triple-0 call made by Daniel Andrews.
“It is costing us. This recording was produced to three experts as well,” Caitlin said.
The judicial registrar declined to make a ruling on the matter and ordered the case to proceed to mediation the following Wednesday.
Meuleman spent 11 days in hospital after the 2013 crash.
Catherine Andrews was driving a taxpayer-funded 4WD when the then 15-year-old cyclist was hit, and the then-opposition leader was in the car, along with their three children.
No charges were laid at the time. Police who attended the scene did not breathalyse anyone, in breach of standard operating procedures. The officers were given a warning, but were ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.
This failure – and a subsequent refusal by Victoria Police to release crash documents requested by media under freedom-of-information laws – prompted the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission to review police handling of the incident.
Slater and Gordon have been contacted for comment.
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