FORMER director of public prosecutions Tim Ellis has paid the price and should be able to get on with his life, according to one prominent Tasmanian lawyer. Mr Ellis is set to work as a barrister in Launceston after being granted a practising certificate by the Law Society of Tasmania. The society's president Matthew Verney has said the decision would be viewed as controversial by some members of the community. But lawyer Greg Barns said Mr Ellis was entitled to practice. "He's paid the penalty and he ought now be allowed to get on with his life," Mr Barns said. Mr Ellis was sacked from his role as DPP in January after being found guilty of causing death by negligent driving following a crash on the Midland Highway that killed 27-year-old Launceston woman Natalia Pearn in 2013. He was handed a four-month suspended sentence by magistrate Chris Webster last year. "While I can understand it's been a terrible ordeal for the family, the issue has to be looked at from the perspective of everyone involved, including Mr Ellis," Mr Barns said. "He has paid the price, that ought to be the end of the matter," he said. A spokesman for Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin said the government had made it clear they did not think it was appropriate for Mr Ellis to continue as DPP. "It is entirely a matter for the Law Society as to whether they consider it appropriate for him to practise as a barrister in Tasmania," the spokesman said. Mr Ellis was a Launceston-based lawyer for 20 years before his appointment to DPP in 1999. Mr Verney said Mr Ellis was considered to be of good character and there was no reason to reject the certificate.
FORMER director of public prosecutions Tim Ellis has paid the price and should be able to get on with his life, according to one prominent Tasmanian lawyer.
Mr Ellis is set to work as a barrister in Launceston after being granted a practising certificate by the Law Society of Tasmania.
The society's president Matthew Verney has said the decision would be viewed as controversial by some members of the community.
But lawyer Greg Barns said Mr Ellis was entitled to practice.
"He's paid the penalty and he ought now be allowed to get on with his life," Mr Barns said.
Mr Ellis was sacked from his role as DPP in January after being found guilty of causing death by negligent driving following a crash on the Midland Highway that killed 27-year-old Launceston woman Natalia Pearn in 2013.
He was handed a four-month suspended sentence by magistrate Chris Webster last year.
"While I can understand it's been a terrible ordeal for the family, the issue has to be looked at from the perspective of everyone involved, including Mr Ellis," Mr Barns said.
"He has paid the price, that ought to be the end of the matter," he said.
A spokesman for Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin said the government had made it clear they did not think it was appropriate for Mr Ellis to continue as DPP.
"It is entirely a matter for the Law Society as to whether they consider it appropriate for him to practise as a barrister in Tasmania," the spokesman said.
Mr Ellis was a Launceston-based lawyer for 20 years before his appointment to DPP in 1999.
Mr Verney said Mr Ellis was considered to be of good character and there was no reason to reject the certificate.
