The Common Law Continues to Develop in Australia
The common law – or ‘judge made law’ – refers to the body of law developed by the decisions of judges. In a common law system, past decisions are known as ‘precedents’. Fundamental to the common law is the principle...
Drug Law Reform: An Interview with Former NSW DPP Nicholas Cowdery
On 2 June 2011, the Global Commission on Drug Policy declared, “The global war on drugs has failed.” In its report, the commission found that prohibition has led to increased drug consumption, the growth of powerful crime networks and contributed...
Judge’s Decision Was a “Substantial Miscarriage of Justice”
Kenneth Bell was being held in prison awaiting trial on allegations of sexual assault, when he was savagely attacked on 16 June 2013, suffering a fractured eye socket, traumatic brain injury, and left in a coma for several days. Due...
“Pure Greed”: Criminal Lawyer Imprisoned for Fraud
Queensland criminal defence lawyer Tim Meehan has been sentenced to five and a half years behind bars for fraud. Mr Meehan, formerly a partner at Bosscher Lawyers, pleaded guilty last year to one count of aggravated fraud and eight counts...
Closing the Gap: An Interview with Ngalla Maya Founder Mervyn Eades
A non-profit mentoring program for young people leaving prison in WA is gaining national attention. Situated in the Perth suburb of Belmont, the Ngalla Maya program is in its third year of operation. And due to its success, it’s recently been granted...
“Face of Greed” Stands Trial in the US
The fraud conviction of price-gauging pharmaceutical entrepreneur Martin Shkreli (pictured) has raised concerns that he may not have received a fair trial from an impartial jury, after hundreds of potential jurors were dismissed for perceived bias during the selection process....
Sick Boy Removed While Being Treated With Cannabis Oil
A now five-year-old boy who suffers from spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy was taken from the care of his parents more than 100 days ago. On May 19, NSW police and Family and Community Services (FACS) officers removed the boy from...
South Australia Proposes Sensible Defence to Drug Driving
Last month, the South Australian Legislative Council voted in favour of an amendment to drug driving legislation that would provide medicinal cannabis users with a defence if they fail a roadside drug test. The Statutes Amendment (Drink and Drug Driving)...
Rohingya Muslims Face Humanitarian Crisis
Violence has yet again erupted in Myanmar’s north western Rakhine state, as Rohingya insurgents carried out a series of coordinated attacks on 30 police posts and an army base on August 25. Staged in the townships of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and...
Cyber Stalking on the Rise
Sarah couldn’t figure out how her ex-boyfriend kept finding her. She had changed phone numbers and mobile service providers. She moved in with friends, and changed houses a couple of times since then. She was as freelancer which meant her...
