barrister

Senior family court barrister Lucy Reed KC responded to that report by describing the family justice system as "disjointed".

Last week, her barrister Richard Edney told a hearing in Melbourne that she intended to appeal against her conviction, though this has not yet been formally lodged.

In mitigation, barrister Owen Edwards, for Ethan's grandmother, argued her role in the murder was "secondary" but added there were "no excuses for her acts of failure".

In written submissions, barrister David Sherborne said it could be "inferred" through an invoice that extensive details in a Daily Mail story ahead of Prince William's birthday party were "obtained through blagging" - meaning dishonestly.

The 32-year-old's barrister said he was suffering a mental breakdown at the time and now wanted to return to Syria.