Jag MacDonald

LLB, Grad Dip (Leg. Prac.) – Director

Jag is a dedicated litigator. His day, every day, features the courtroom. For over 10 years he has walked into MacDonald Law looking for ways to get results. His clients are close to his heart, as they are the reason he is here. 

Jag has had the pleasure of representing clients in civil and criminal law. He understands that legal problems are multi-faceted. They need a trained mind to approach the issue from head on. Jag is arguing a leasing dispute one day and is on his feet for a bail application in the Supreme Court the next. 

Jag has a renowned knowledge of the law through his experience. His skills in cross-examination, case strategy preparation and legal arguments are applied daily. 

Jag has honed these skills across a broad spectrum of matters, including serious crimes such as drug trafficking and murder. From the halls of the Court of Appeal, to the Crime and Corruption Commission chamber, all courtrooms are familiar to him.

Jag is not content to let injustice rest; Jag's instrumental involvement in the recent case of Attorney-General for the State of Queensland & Anor v Wands [2019] QCA 125 is a fine example. This ground-breaking case levelled the costs playing field for people accused of committing crimes.

Fundamentally, Jag draws on experience and passion to maintain his wholehearted commitment to obtaining excellent results.

Jag's contribution as a partner was recognised in part by being named a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards in 2020.

Jag has been involved in several difficult and noteworthy cases:

1. Attorney-General for the State of Queensland & Anor v Wands [2019] QCA 125- ground-breaking novel legal argument on the award of costs in criminal cases (1st time in Queensland).

2. R v FAU [2019] QCA 126- Rape conviction appeal on evidentiary grounds.

3. R v Dayney [2020] QCA 264- Murder conviction appeal on judicial direction grounds

4. R v Latu- Murder trial- successfully negotiated to a manslaughter plea- following negotiations and cross-examinations at committal and basha hearings.

5. Re Graham (deceased) [2020] QSC 27 (2020) 3 QR 433- estate litigation regarding successor in title

6.     Re Graham (deceased) (No 2) [2020] QSC 168 [2020] 25 QLR- estate litigation regarding cy pres.

7. R v Pyritz [2020] QSCPR 27- application for a Judge to call a witness in a drug trafficking case (2nd time in Queensland).

8. R v Pyritz [2020] QSC 347- judge alone trial for drug trafficking of methamphetamine.

9. 4. R v Hall- Murder trial- successfully negotiated to a manslaughter plea- following negotiations and cross-examinations at committal and basha hearings.

10. R v Dumesny- Murder trial- successfully negotiated to a manslaughter plea- following negotiations and cross-examinations at committal and basha hearings.

11. R v Latu- Murder trial- successfully negotiated to a manslaughter plea- following negotiations and cross-examinations at committal and basha hearings.

12. R v Firic [2022] QCA 58- appeal on the basis of an unfair restriction in cross-examination.

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