The Defence of Mental Illness in New South Wales
Being found not guilty by reason of mental illness isn’t just the stuff of good fiction crime novels, as a recent case in the Supreme Court of New South Wales demonstrates. In that case, a 38-year old father who stabbed...
The Offence of Graffiti in New South Wales
A mural depicting a satanic figure hovering over a kneeling, handcuffed George Pell in a prison tracksuit has been removed from privately-owned premises. The mural, created by Australian artist Scott Marsh, was painted on property of owned by Wilson Parking...
The Crime of Inciting Hatred in Australia
A leader of the far-right in Australia, Blair Cottrell, has failed in his appeal against a conviction for inciting hatred, contempt or ridicule against people of the Islamic faith. The offence In September 2017, Mr Cottrell, along with two other...
The Offence of Obtaining a Benefit by Deception
A former senior executive of Seven West Media, the owners of television Channel 7, was granted conditional bail on 25 July 2019 after being charged with multiple offences arising from his alleged misappropriation of $8 million in company funds. 57-year...
Tax Office Attacks Client Legal Privilege
During his speech at the Law Society’s 2016 Opening of Term Dinner, NSW Chief Justice Tom Bathurst made clear he had identified 397 state laws that encroach upon three fundamental legal protections alone – the presumption of innocence, the right...
Sydney Teacher Accused of Sexual Offences Against a Student
A Sydney teacher will face Downing Centre Court next month over allegations of having sexual intercourse with a student. The teacher is currently on conditional bail and has been stood down by his employer, Raddam House; an exclusive private school...
Lawyers Turn Their Backs on Legal Aid
Many of our state’s best criminal lawyers are refusing to take on legal aid cases, due to the poor rates on offer - which have remained the same for over a decade. The situation has been highlighted by a recent...
Van Carrying $200 Million in Illegal Drugs Crashes Into Parked Police Cars
It has been reported that just before 10.30am on Monday, 22nd July 2019, a van carrying 273 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine - or ‘ice’ - crashed into police cars parked outside Eastwood Police Station in Sydney’s north-west. Officers inside the...
Unlawfully Possessing or Using Identification Information in New South Wales
A woman accused of obtaining the identification information of several people and using it to create over 300 fake bank accounts to fraudulently obtain funds and goods has died three days after being hit by a Bondi bus at around...
Elderly Man Charged with Committing a Sexual Act During a Ferry Ride
It has been reported that a 70-year old man will face Downing Centre Local Court on 7 August 2019 for allegedly committing a sexual act while travelling on a ferry from Manly to Circular Quay. According to police, at around...
