RETIRING Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold’s future to practice as a barrister in the ACT is in doubt.

Marcus Hassell, president of the ACT Bar Council, in welcoming the recommendations of the Sofronoff Inquiry report, said: “The Bar Council notes with grave concern the findings of misconduct in the report regarding the person with primary carriage of the prosecution of Mr [Bruce] Lehrmann, Mr Shane Drumgold SC, the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions.

“Those findings are patently serious and will receive careful consideration by the ACT Bar Council in the context of its role as the professional regulator of the ACT Bar.”

He said Mr Drumgold was presently the holder of a restricted (government) practising certificate, valid until June 30, 2024, which entitled him to practice as a barrister in the ACT but only while employed as or for the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions.

“The announcement of Mr Drumgold’s resignation from the office of Director of Public Prosecutions, to take effect from 1 September 2023, means that from that date Mr Drumgold will no longer have capacity to practice as a barrister in the ACT,” Mr Hassell said.

“Any application by Mr Drumgold for a new or unrestricted practising certificate will require the approval of the ACT Bar Council and will necessitate consideration of the findings contained in the Sofronoff report.

“The Bar Council understands that Mr Drumgold will not be returning to work with the ACT DPP prior to his resignation taking effect [on September 1].”