Police reading statements in evidence-in-chief

Section 33 of the Evidence Act 2008 allows police officers to give evidence by reading or being led through a previous written statement, subject to certain conditions.I know the police were generally pretty keen on this provision: it meant the end of rote-learning statements before court cases, and provided a real incentive to take detailed …

Continue reading Police reading statements in evidence-in-chief

Legislation Watch: JRs across the court system

Judicial Registrars have been operating now in the Magistrates' Court for 5 years.The Courts Legislation Miscellaneous Amendments Act 2010 will bring JRs into the County, Supreme, Coroner's and Childrens' Courts. As with the Magistrates' Court, the appointment of a Judicial Registrar will be for a maximum five year term.In blurring the lines between two previously …

Continue reading Legislation Watch: JRs across the court system

I appear for the alpaca, Your Honour

Melbourne Law School is teaching animal law to undergraduate students for the first time this year. The head of the Barristers Animal Welfare Panel, Graeme McEwen, will be intimately involved with the course's delivery. Areas covered include constitutional issues affecting animal welfare, administrative law remedies and consideration of the rights of protesters.The Subject Overview reads,The …

Continue reading I appear for the alpaca, Your Honour