On a recent trip to Singapore – one could not help but tune into the current debate among the legal profession, lawmakers and prosecutors as well has human rights groups on whether the current exemption for men over 50 years of age are to be spared from being caned, for sex offences against children. Caning
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Legal System
The Bruce Lehrmann – Brittany Higgins Trial Is NOT OVER
The collapse of the Lehrmann-Higgins trial is a travesty of justice. Neither party received a just outcome. The outcome is at odds with the Rule of Law. This is a real concern. Rape trials are a common occurrence in Australian courts and further afield. The parties just get on with it and it is very
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The Queen Is Dead, Long Live the King
The passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II brings great sadness to the World. The Queen’s 70-year reign marks an unwavering, unconditional devotion to serving the people of the Commonwealth. The Queen is sadly missed by lawyers and staff of this practice and our sincere condolences go out to the Royal family. What may not
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Bail Amendments In Child Sex Abuse Cases
If you are an adult accused of sexually abusing a child, a person under the age of 18, and the person is still a child at the time bail is being considered then recent amendments to the Bail Act 1982 compel bail decision makers to consider the safety and well-being of the child before bail
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Are the Russians War Criminals?
President Biden recently accused Russia of committing war crimes and Vladimir Putin a war criminal. Whether these accusations are justified will be determined under international law. The question turns on whether the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on the 24 February 2022 ordered by Vladimir Putin constituted crimes of aggression. International Legal Framework International
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I’m Guilty – I want you to defend me?
Criminal defence lawyers do not get this question every day but when they do, the answer is often no. If a client admits to the charge and the underlying facts to the defence lawyer then the legal advice runs along the lines of a plea-in-mitigation and how to prepare for that. Lawyers must not mislead
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A Permanent Stay of Proceedings – Bruce Lehrman’s Case Involving Brittany Higgins
Bruce Lehrman, a former Liberal staffer accused of allegedly raping Brittany Higgins, also a former Liberal staffer, intends to seek a permanent or temporary stay of proceedings. Widespread media coverage and other factors could deny Bruce Lehrman a fair trial. Short History Brittany Higgins accused Bruce Lehrman of raping her in March 2019. She first
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What Is A Criminal Justice Attorney?
In receiving telephone inquiries about a wide range of criminal law matters, the question sometimes comes up of whether I am a criminal justice attorney. My answer is that in an everyday sense, I suppose I am a criminal justice attorney. An Australian Lawyer However, under the legal profession legislation in the various states and
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Mandated Double Vaccination in Perth Courts
As of the 5 February 2022 all court and tribunal worker which includes judicial officers and support staff, unless exempted, must be double vaxxed and show proof of vaccination and photo identification to enter the court. The coverage is wide: “In addition to judicial officers and all court and tribunal support staff, a ‘court or
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