By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim On 1 July, a series of new road safety laws will come into effect across New South Wales. The new laws will add cocaine to the list of drugs police test drivers for, significantly increase the penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, and implement ...
Blog Articles
Aussie Takes on Google, and Wins
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim The High Court of Australia has ruled that a Melbourne man has legal standing to commence proceedings against United States-based internet juggernaut Google for allegedly defamatory material posted on the company’s search engine. The story so far Milorad ‘Michael’ Trkulja was shot in the back at a Melbourne restaurant ...
The Link between State of Origin and Domestic Violence
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim A new report by the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR) at La Trobe University in Melbourne suggests that State of Origin rugby league games correspond with significant spikes in domestic violence. The Centre analysed data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) over a period ...
7-Eleven Accused of Paying to Cover-Up Wage Theft
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim It has been reported that a joint parliamentary inquiry into franchising operations is about to hear explosive allegations that convenience store juggernaut 7-Eleven bribed people not to give evidence. The accusations come from a group of 7-Eleven franchise operators who say the head office of 7-Eleven paid them to ...
What is Common Assault?
The word ‘assault’ often conjures up images of a physical altercation between two or more people. And whilst pushing or striking another person without legal justification will amount to an assault, the offence of common assault in NSW does not necessarily require any physical contact at all. Where is the offence of common assault contained ...
It’s Time to Ditch Dutton, Before It’s too Late
These days, it seems that every time a nasty policy suggestion is announced in Canberra, it’s Peter Dutton standing at the podium. Indeed, the ultra-conservative Liberal minister doesn’t seem to be at ease unless he’s making some divisive statement. The Australian Border Force, ASIO and the Australian federal police all now lie under his tutelage ...
NSW Passes Stronger Child Sexual Abuse Laws, But Priests Remain Protected
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim Late last night, the parliament of NSW passed one of the most comprehensive criminal justice reform packages in state history. The state’s attorney general Mark Speakman introduced the legislation designed to crackdown on child sexual predators into state parliament on June 6. The Criminal Legislation Amendment (Child Sexual Abuse) Bill ...
How to Write a Character Reference for Court
For those who are pleading guilty to a criminal or traffic offence, it is a good idea to arrange for the preparation of up to three character reference letters for the court to consider during the sentencing process. References that are prepared by the right people and which contain relevant information will be considered by ...
NSW Police Officer Avoids Prison After Filming and Publishing Sexual Act Without Consent
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim A New South Wales police officer has been spared prison time after filming a colleague without consent while they were having sex and sharing it online to boast to colleagues. 28-year old senior constable Timothy Patterson filmed a sexual encounter with a fellow off-duty officer at a city hotel ...
Is Catfishing Illegal?
Using the internet to meet new friends, set up potential dates, hook up sexual liaisons or seek out a life partner is a worldwide phenomenon. For the most part, users of online social platforms can rely on the profiles of others to get a rough idea of who they are and what they look like ...