A podcasted hosted by:
Giles Stapleton
The Podcast that demystifies laws, lawyers and legal systems and brings the law to life.
About
About The Host, Giles Stapleton:
Giles is a Sydney-Based Barrister specialising in equity, family and property law at 9 Selborne Chambers and Family Law Chambers, Sydney.
He migrated to Australia from the UK in 1997, since when he worked in business development, relationship management and executive roles in financial services and property funds management business, until 2012.
He commutes from the Sunshine Coast where he lives with his wife in an empty nest, while their adult children follow their dreams.
For Giles, this podcast is a side hustle to pursue curiosity and enjoyment and appease his endless restlessness.
About the Producer, Nudge Productions:
A creation of Steve Grace, Entrepreneur
Podcasts include Give it a Nudge, This Could Be So Good, Investible and X-Examination
They produce podcasts that communicate hard to grasp ideas in easy to digest ways with a commitment to entertain, educate and inspire.
They record everything from their chilled boutique studio in Surry Hills, Sydney.
Episodes:
War, Politics and Law with The Hon. Tony Abbott AC: A chat with a former Australian Prime Minister
The “fantasy of international law” was a phrase used by the Hon Tony Abbott AC, Australia’s 28th prime minister, in his article in The Australian on 20 April 2026. The same day he sat down and explained to X-Examination what that meant to him in the context of current conflicts around the world.
Take a listen and learn about the views of a former Australian Prime Minister on recent world events, current political standings and his take on how to make our legal system succeed further.
As a prominent and inlfuential political figure, it was a privilege to spend an hour with a person that has also studied law, been a Rhodes Scholar, earned an Oxford University Blue for boxing, done an Ironman Triathlon and been Chair of the G20.
This episode of Cross Examination is proudly sponsored by Operational Legal Australia. Operational Legal Australia is a veteran-owned law firm operating nationally, providing both legal and non-legal services. With a bias for action, OLA is committed to achieving the best outcomes for clients by delivering timely, cost-effective advice — including fixed pricing solutions so you always know exactly where you stand.
The Judge Who Witnessed Australia's Divorce Revolution
Can you really tell if someone is lying in court just by watching them?
Former Justice Robert Benjamin spent 16 years as a Judge of the Family Court of Australia and his answer is fascinating: "Judges are highly trained people that only get it wrong 40% of the time. The idea that you can spot a liar by how they look or react is largely a fallacy. Honest witnesses can appear shaky. Dishonest ones can appear calm."
So what do Judges actually rely on? Objective evidence. The critical question in the family law context is: what is the risk to the child and how best is that risk managed?
Australian Family Lawyers and Watts McCray are two of Australia’s leading family law firms and form part of AF Legal Group Ltd, a national legal services provider. Together, they offer expert legal advice and tailored support across all areas of family law, including separation and divorce, parenting arrangements, property settlements, and financial agreements. With a strong presence across Australia and a team of highly experienced practitioners, including Accredited Specialists in family law, both firms provide trusted guidance through life’s most complex legal challenges. As part of the AF Legal Group, Australian Family Lawyers and Watts McCray combine national strength with local expertise, ensuring clients receive exceptional representation and support.
A Military Lawyer Breaks Down Drone Strikes
In this episode of X-Examination, Giles sits down with Richard Gration, a Sydney Barrister and Specialist Reserve Legal Officer for the Royal Australian Air Force.
With a deep military lineage—his father was the Chief of the Defence Force—Richard brings a unique perspective, having transitioned from training as an Air Force pilot to practicing law at the highest level.
They dive deep into the "Law of War"—the complex framework that governs international conflict. Richard deconstructs the reality behind the headlines, explaining how the UN Security Council operates, the legal definition of an "armed attack" in the age of cyber warfare, and the mechanisms of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The conversation takes a hard look at the ethics of modern warfare, using the film Eye in the Sky as a case study to explain "collateral damage estimation" and the principle of proportionality. Richard also provides a candid, insider’s view on the Brereton Report, the difficulties of investigating alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, and the legal challenges facing the Australian Defence Force today.
This episode of Cross Examination is proudly sponsored by Operational Legal Australia. Operational Legal Australia is a veteran-owned law firm operating nationally, providing both legal and non-legal services. With a bias for action, OLA is committed to achieving the best outcomes for clients by delivering timely, cost-effective advice — including fixed pricing solutions so you always know exactly where you stand.
Inside the Reality of Family Law with Emeritus Professor Patrick Parkinson
I had the privilege of speaking with Emeritus Professor Patrick Parkinson, one of Australia’s most respected voices in family law and someone whose work has shaped policy, community support, and legal thinking for decades.
A few themes that stayed with me:
• Supporting parents before separation matters just as much as supporting them after
• Family violence is complex — rarely neat or one-dimensional
• Children’s voices must be heard, but understood with care
• Loneliness and disconnection are reshaping modern family life
• Strong communities provide stability — not just legislation
Australian Family Lawyers and Watts McCray are two of Australia’s leading family law firms and form part of AF Legal Group Ltd, a national legal services provider. Together, they offer expert legal advice and tailored support across all areas of family law, including separation and divorce, parenting arrangements, property settlements, and financial agreements. With a strong presence across Australia and a team of highly experienced practitioners, including Accredited Specialists in family law, both firms provide trusted guidance through life’s most complex legal challenges. As part of the AF Legal Group, Australian Family Lawyers and Watts McCray combine national strength with local expertise, ensuring clients receive exceptional representation and support.
Special Edition: Mick Bainbridge Speaks to Giles on RSL NSW Resignation
In this special edition of X-Examination, I sat down with Mick Bainbridge, former President of RSL NSW, to talk through the events of the past two weeks following the ABC 7.30 investigation.
Mick and three board members resigned from RSL NSW amidst intense media scrutiny and questions of governance. In our conversation, Mick opens up about:
- Why he and others chose to resign
- The toll of leading RSL NSW while running a law firm and raising a family
- His concerns about sustainability, governance, and the culture of infighting
- What veterans actually need in 2025 and beyond
This episode of Cross Examination is proudly sponsored by Operational Legal Australia. Operational Legal Australia is a veteran-owned law firm operating nationally, providing both legal and non-legal services. With a bias for action, OLA is committed to achieving the best outcomes for clients by delivering timely, cost-effective advice — including fixed pricing solutions so you always know exactly where you stand.
Life After Special Forces: Mick Bainbridge’s Journey into Law
For our very first episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Mick Bainbridge — former Australian Army commando, Afghanistan veteran, solicitor, and President of RSL NSW.
Mick’s story is remarkable:
- Growing up in southwest Sydney and chasing a life of service.
- The intensity of commando selection and multiple tours in Timor-Leste and Afghanistan.
- Living through trauma, including a Black Hawk crash rescue.
- Choosing to speak publicly about mental health when few others would.
- Rebuilding identity through law, advocacy, and leadership at RSL NSW.
This episode of Cross Examination is proudly sponsored by Operational Legal Australia. Operational Legal Australia is a veteran-owned law firm operating nationally, providing both legal and non-legal services. With a bias for action, OLA is committed to achieving the best outcomes for clients by delivering timely, cost-effective advice — including fixed pricing solutions so you always know exactly where you stand.
Coming Soon
Explore our upcoming episodes and sponsorship opportunities
Become a Sponsor of the Show
The benefits of being a sponsor include:
- The ability to sponsor one or more non-consecutive recordings in general or specialised areas of conversation
- Customise use of name, branding and value-proposition within the recording studio and each episode
- Tailor distribution across multiple channels to meet sponsors' commercial objectives
See Coming Soon for upcoming sponsorship opportunities or get in touch to become a sponsor today!