Overview
- Victoria’s Court of Appeal delivered a mixed outcome: an acquittal on the Quills brief, a retrial ordered on Orbital, and dismissal of the appeal on Magnum.
- Mokbel’s bail was extended, with a Supreme Court directions hearing set for October 29 on the Orbital matter and further appeal proceedings in November concerning Magnum sentencing.
- The appeal turned on findings that barrister Nicola Gobbo improperly informed on clients, with courts and a royal commission describing grave breaches of legal obligations.
- Mokbel spent nearly 18 years in custody and was released on bail in April after judges said his appeal prospects were strong, with some monitoring conditions later relaxed.
- Legal analysts say the standing Magnum conviction may limit any compensation prospects, and they suggest prosecutors could weigh discontinuing a retrial given the age of the case and time served.