In What Circumstances Can a Judge Direct a Jury to Acquit the Defendant?
A judge who was presiding over the jury trial of a Victorian police officer this week has taken the decision regarding guilt or innocence away from the jurors, directing them to return an acquittal on all assault charges and thereby...
Gladys Berejiklian ‘Engaged in Serious Corrupt Conduct’, But Won’t Be Criminally Prosecuted
The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has handed down damning findings against former Premier Gladys Berejiklian, and her secret lover Daryl Maguire, yet it will not be recommending that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions...
Senator Asks International Criminal Court to Investigate Australian Commanders Over War Crimes
The deputy leader of the Palmer United Party, Jacqui Lambie, announced in the Senate yesterday that she has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Australian Defence Force Commander over war crimes committed in Afghanistan. Her statement has been...
Should Politicians Be Permitted to Accuse Others of Crimes With Impunity Under Parliamentary Privilege?
Senator David Van may not have been well known before last week. But he is now a household name after Senator Lidia Thorpe accused him last week of sexual assaulting her in parliament, under the protection of parliamentary privilege. During...
What Conduct Amounts to ‘Dangerous Driving’ in New South Wales?
Police will allege speeding was a factor in the weekend’s horror bus crash in the Hunter Valley, which resulted in the deaths of 10 passengers and more than 20 being admitted to hospital. The bus was carrying 36 passengers when...
UK Rejects Assange’s Appeal Against Extradition, Despite Global Campaign for Freedom
UK High Court Justice Jonathan Swift last Thursday denied Julian Assange’s July 2022-lodged final appeal against US extradition, which then UK home secretary Priti Patel had greenlighted the month prior. This has meant the WikiLeaks founder has spent another year in...
Albanese Has Agreed to Australia Being Designated a US Domestic Military Source in Law
Since PM Anthony Albanese graced San Diego with his presence to announce the details of the close to half a trillion dollar AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal in March, discussion over whether the federal government is eroding Australian sovereignty to the benefit of...
Airbags That Kill: Can Manufacturers Be Found Guilty of a Criminal Offence?
This article refers to a recent Australian announcement of yet another fatal airbag concern, and although the investigation is in its early stages, we shall explore the company involved and revisit the previous situation with the Japanese company Takata corporation,...
The Rules Regarding NSW Police Use of Body Worn Cameras
Steven Pampalian was shot dead by officers of the New South Wales Police Force following a confrontation in Sydney’s lower north shore on Thursday, 25 May 2023. According to reports, emergency services were called to Alexander Street, North Willoughby at...
The Criminal Offence of Treason: Definition, Evolution and Political Application
Treason has for hundreds of years been considered one of the most serious offences that a person can commit. Whilst the criminal offence of treason dates at least as far back as Roman times, the vagaries and inconsistencies in what...
