Early Appropriate Guilty Pleas for child defendants

The Early Appropriate Guilty Plea reforms make significant changes to the NSW criminal justice system by reforming the way committals are conducted. By ANNE WHITEHEAD…

By and - 7 min read

Uncovering tensions in religion and secular law

The Court of Appeal has considered whether a party should be permitted to give evidence in the District Court while wearing a niqab. By TALITHA…

By - 6 min read

New sentencing options: giving with one hand and taking with the other

The Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Amendment (Sentencing Options) Act 2017 makes sweeping changes to non-custodial sentences. By THOMAS SPOHR.

By - 10 min read

An ‘unacceptable risk’ – post-sentence detention under the new Terrorism (High Risk Offenders) Act

The Terrorism (High Risk Offenders) Act 2017 (NSW) introduces a scheme of post-sentence supervision and detention for high risk offenders. By NATALIE MARSIC.

By - 6 min read

Forensic procedure orders and parallel appeal rights

The District Court was found to have jurisdiction to hear a forensic procedure appeal from an order made against a person by a Local Court…

By and - 6 min read

HIV and the law – recent developments in public health and criminal laws

In an amendment to the Public Health Act 2010, the requirement to disclose HIV status was replaced with a requirement to take ‘reasonable precautions’ to…

By and - 6 min read

Section 32 Mental Health Act amendments fall short of recommended reform

Section 32 of the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 was amended, extending the divisionary regime to those with cognitive impairment. By KAREN WEEKS.

By - 6 min read

Examining liability for felony murder through joint criminal enterprise

IL v The Queen [2017] HCA 27 examined the law of joint criminal enterprise liability as it relates to felony murder. By ALANNA VAN DER…

By - 5 min read

High Court examines tendency evidence in Hughes v The Queen

In order to have ‘significant probative value’ it is not a requirement that tendency evidence be similar to the charged conduct. By LIZZIE McLAUGHLIN.

By - 6 min read

Supreme Court on section 32 mental health treatment plans

Successful section 32 applications need a comprehensive treatment plan. By MARK WARREN.

By - 5 min read