Peter Hayes (lawyer)

Peter Hayes, QC (c.1953 – 21 May, 2007) was a prominent barrister in Melbourne, Australia. He was a director of the Melbourne Football Club from 2000 to 2003. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Footballers-to-honour-Hayes-at-MCG-clash/2007/05/22/1179601387226.html Footballers to honour Hayes at MCG clash] , 22 May 2007.]

Professional life

Hayes was admitted to the bar on 1 March, 1973 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1988. He was a specialist in banking, finance and corporations law. [ [http://www.meldrum.com.au/ba_profile_phayes.html Meldrum's List: Peter R. Hayes QC] ] Hayes was involved in a number of high profile cases, including the Steve Vizard matter involving insider trading, where he appeared for Vizard's accountant Roy Hilliard. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/his-masters-voice-invoked-as-hilliard-pleads-guilty/2005/07/26/1122143849432.html His master's voice invoked, as Hilliard pleads guilty] , 27 July 2005] Other work included defending suspects in the drug-related death of Dianne Brimble and counsel for Perth socialite Rose Porteous. [ [http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=384338 Probe into death of prominent Vic lawyer] , 22 May 2007]

Allegations of drug use

In 2005 Hayes was subject to a professional complaint made by solicitor Isaac Brott to the Ethics Committee of the Victorian Bar. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/qc-a-headline-act-right-to-the-end/2007/05/22/1179601410971.html The Age: QC a headline act right to the end] ] The solicitor, who worked with Hayes, asked that Mr Hayes be tested for drug use accused him of being an "inveterate cocaine user". The complaint was dismissed as vexatious and lacking in credibility. [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21760955-2862,00.html Herald Sun: Fears for Hayes visitor] ]

Death and drug charges

Hayes died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital on 21 May, 2007, 11 days after being found naked and unconscious in an Adelaide hotel room. He was discovered by former Gypsy Joker Outlaw Motorcycle Club member Tony Sobey, whom Hayes was defending against investment fraud charges. Two women visited Hayes in his hotel room on the night of his death, and were tracked down via hotel security footage. [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21760955-2862,00.html Herald Sun: Fears for Hayes visitor] ] One was a 21-year old woman with a history of prostitution charges, and the other - a 28 year old woman - was subsequently charged with administering a drug of dependence to Hayes. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/05/15/1178995147234.html The Age: Charges over QC's collapse] ] [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/prostitute-faces-charges-over-qcs-collapse-in-hotel/2007/05/15/1178995158639.html The Age: 'Prostitute' faces charges over QC's collapse in hotel] ] His death is currently under coronial investigation, but it has been alleged that toxicology revealed he had ingested cocaine and heroin immediately before his death [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21811414-2702,00.html The Australian: Hayes 'ingested coke and heroin'] ] , and lethal drug overdose was the cause of death [ [http://lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/olsc/ll_olsc.nsf/vwFiles/WP_Issue37_August07.pdf/$file/WP_Issue37_August07.pdf The Office of the Legal Services Comissioner: Impaired Practitioners - Substance abuse and mental illness in the legal profession] ]

After Hayes' death, Victorian Bar Council chairman Michael Shand QC declined to comment on the original complaint of cocaine use, stating "the Bar Council is vigilant at maintaining the highest standards of practice at the bar" and would investigate the issues surrounding Mr Hayes' death. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21780070-2702,00.html The Australian: Bar 'failed to act' when told QC used drugs] ] When asked about drug use in the legal profession Australian Government Solicitor-General David Bennett QC replied:

"..."barristers as a group would use illegal drugs less than the general community because they are likely to be concerned about breaking the law"..." [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21811414-2702,00.html The Australian: Hayes 'ingested coke and heroin'] ]

Personal life

He was survived by his former wife Mary Stephen (daughter of Sir Ninian Stephen), a son and two daughters. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/qc-a-headline-act-right-to-the-end/2007/05/22/1179601410971.html The Age: QC a headline act right to the end] ]

Health

Hayes was reported to suffer from bipolar disorder. [ [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21778603-2862,00.html Herald Sun: Peter Hayes tributes flow] ]

References