Yesterday the High Court quashed convictions on Victorian conspiracy charges, finding they were directly inconsistent with Commonwealth conspiracy laws.Dickson v The Queen is sure to have some prosecutors scanning charge sheets for offences that ought to have been laid under Commonwealth law. But like all High Court decisions, the impact of Dickson will only become …
Tag: constitution
God save the … er, DPP
Late last year Attorney-General Rob Hulls announced that they would be dropping the reference to the Queen in all criminal prosecutions. Cases are now to be brought in the name of the Director of Public Prosecutions.He's received legal advice that bringing indictments in the name of the DPP will have no constitutional effect. Similar changes …
Double-booked appointments
There hasn't been much reaction (at least that I'm aware of) in response to the recent news that Justice Dodds-Streeton of the Federal Court is about to be re-appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court of Victoria. I haven't heard anyone sounding alarm bells to this unique arrangement that will see her Honour appointed …