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Informative, jargon-free stories about law reform, legal education, test cases, miscarriages of justice and legal culture. The Law Report makes the law accessible.

ABC Radio National


    • Jul 5, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 334 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Law Report - ABC RN

    Victoria's Nazi swastika law prompts call for national ban

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2022 28:37


    An in-depth look at Victoria's law to ban the public display of the Nazi swastika amid calls for the Federal Government to legislate a national ban on the symbol. And the case of a West Australian man who spent more than a decade in prison for a crime he didn't commit has led to new legal avenues for appeal for others who may have been wrongfully convicted.

    Attorney General Mark Dreyfus speaks to the Law Report

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2022 28:37


    Reforming the Public Interest Disclosure Act "is a significant matter because it is linked to the national anti-corruption commission that we hope to legislate this year," the federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfus has told the Law Report. In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Dreyfus outlines his legislative priorities, including reforming the Privacy Act, media freedoms, and a review of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

    Can machines invent, and animals create?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2022 28:31


    Should we grant patents to Artificial Intelligence algorithms? Should machines have copyright over the art works they generate? What about animals?

    High Court curbs minister's citizenship powers, and landmark ruling on unpaid wages

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2022 28:35


    The High Court has ruled that a decision by the former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews to rescind the citizenship of an Australian man suspected of joining the Islamic State group was unconstitutional. And, for the first time, unpaid workers can pursue the director of a collapsed company in the small claims tribunal of the Federal Circuit and Family Court.

    Judge v jury trials

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2022 28:35


    Why did actor Johnny Depp's defamation case against his former wife Amber Heard succeed in the US after failing at a similar trial in the UK? And a man ordered to face trial before a judge alone under the ACT's pandemic emergency law says he was denied the right for his case to be heard by a jury. But does such a legal right exist in Australia?

    Fiji environmental crime verdict 'sets precedent'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 28:38


    Freesoul Real Estate has days to appeal a ground-breaking fine imposed by Fiji's High Court after the Chinese resort developer carried out unauthorised works on a remote island. And environmental law in the Pacific.

    Radio on the inside

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2022 28:38


    The world's only nationwide in-house prison network broadcasts 24 hours a day and is produced by and for inmates.

    When is a de facto relationship over?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2022 28:35


    A High Court decision raises questions about how a de facto relationship is defined, and what happens when a person's mental capacities decline with old age. And, if a person granted humanitarian protection by Australia commits a serious crime, can they be deported to a conflict zone?

    Fears US Supreme Court will overturn Roe v Wade after draft opinion leaked

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2022 28:35


    The publication of a leaked draft opinion by conservative judge Samuel Alito has sparked fears the United States Supreme Court could overturn a landmark decision that enshrines abortion rights for women.

    Russia accuses NATO of 'proxy war' in Ukraine, and juror misconduct

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2022 28:38


    Does NATO's increasing military support for Ukraine amount to waging “a proxy war against Russia”? And the High Court has overturned a number of sex offence convictions of a tutor due to juror misconduct.

    Employer liability for psychiatric injury

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2022 28:20


    When is an employer liable for psychiatric injury sustained in the workplace?

    Employer liability for psychiatric injury

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2022 28:26


    When is an employer liable for psychiatric injury sustained in the workplace?

    Why gender diversity on the bench is important

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2022 28:32


    In the second of a two-part series, the Law Report speaks with members of the International Association of Women Judges in several countries. They explain the obstacles women judges face and what gender diversity brings to legal decision making. 

    How Afghan women judges found safety in Australia

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2022 28:31


    In the first of a two-part series on women judges, the Law Report introduces judge Shakila Abawi Shigarf, who was forced to flee Afghanistan when the Taliban retook power in August 2021.

    Cheng Lei awaits China trial verdict, and Vic court rules on wind farm noise

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 28:33


    The national security trial of Australian journalist Cheng Lei in China. And two Victorian farmers have won a legal battle over noise pollution against a neighbouring wind farm.

    'Predatory lending', and supporting Indigenous people in NT watch houses

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2022 28:35


    The High Court has ruled that a lender engaged in 'unconscionable conduct' by approving an asset-based loan to an unemployed man. And a look at how the Northern Territory Custody Notification Service supports Indigenous people detained in watch houses.

    Gathering evidence of possible war crimes in Ukraine

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2022 28:38


    A former war crimes judge and prosecutor explains the challenges of collecting evidence in a conflict zone. And the humanitarian crisis spreading beyond Ukraine's borders as Russian forces intensify their attacks.

    The legal needs of flood victims, and Kumanjayi Walker murder trial aquittal

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 28:34


    Severe flooding in New South Wales and Queensland has created a range of tenancy and insurance issues for people in affected areas. And a view from inside the court where Northern Territory police officer Zachary Rolfe was acquitted of charges in the shooting death of Aboriginal man Kumanjayi Walker.

    Ukraine: how clear are the laws of war? And women's rights to inherit land

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2022 28:34


    As the war in Ukraine escalates, what does international law say about humanitarian corridors, civilian combatants and prisoners of war? And why dozens of countries don't allow women the right to own and inherit land.

    ICC to launch Ukraine war crimes probe, and NSW Chief Justice Tom Bathurst retires

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 33:59


    As the International Criminal Court announces plans to investigate possible war crimes in Ukraine, what help can the country expect from international law frameworks and rules-based systems? And a wide-ranging interview with the Chief Justice of the New South Wales Supreme Court, Tom Bathurst, who is retiring after more than a decade in office.

    Sandy Hook settlement, and pets in family law disputes

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 28:33


    Could a US$73 million settlement for relatives of the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre open the door for other lawsuits against US gun manufacturers? And who gets the furry babies when a couple divorces?

    High Court rulings clarify contract worker status

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 28:33


    The High Court has delivered two judgments that help clarify the legal distinction between the status of a contract worker and a employee, with potential long-term implications across Australian workplaces. Also in the program, a neighbourhood dispute that grew 'out of all proportion' ends in the New South Wales Supreme Court.

    Are Australia's political donation laws fit for purpose?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 28:37


    The Australian Electoral Commission has revealed that 10 donors account for a quarter of donations made to the country's political parties in the 2020-21 financial year. According to the Commission, the source of one third of all political income remains undisclosed. What does the data reveal and what does it hide? And what does it say about the rules governing political donations?

    When does misrepresenting professional experience become a criminal offence?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 28:34


    When does inflating professional skills and experience cross a line to become a criminal offence?

    Deporting Djokovic, and Catholic diocese found vicariously liable in historical child sex abuse case

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 28:35


    The Federal Government's move to deport Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic from Australia has highlighted the scope of discretionary powers held by the immigration minister. And the Supreme Court of Victoria sets a legal precedent in what is believed to be the first ruling to find a Catholic diocese in Australia 'vicariously liable' for child sexual abuse committed by a priest decades ago.

    Crime and justice in the Torres Strait, and Cape York's Licensing Muster program

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 28:32


    According to a study which explores how the Torres Strait's unique culture, geography and colonial experience has shaped the current crime and justice landscape, property crime in the region is very low. And the innovative Licensing Muster Project is helping Indigenous people living at the top of Cape York obtain birth certificates which are required when applying for a drivers licence.

    Inside Thomas Embling Hospital, a forensic health facility

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2022 28:36


    For the first time a journalist is allowed to record in the Thomas Embling Hospital, Melbourne's Forensic healthcare facility. Meet therapists, the psychiatrist in charge and some of the patients who have committed a serious crime but are deemed not responsible for their actions due to mental illness.

    Court rules couples can conspire, and how brain implants might transform criminal law

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 28:36


    The High Court of Australia rules that a married couple can conspire to commit a crime. Also, the challenges posed by emerging neurotechnologies.

    How itchy underpants created Australia's consumer laws

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2021 28:36


    If a consumer is injured by a faulty product, they can sue the manufacturer. In Australia, The law of Negligence or Torts forms a fundamental building block of our legal system. As reporter Carly Godden discovers, these laws owe much of their origins to a case from the 1930's involving a pair of woollen long johns.

    'Squatters' rights', and UK health laws

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 28:35


    The Law Report revisits a New South Wales Supreme Court ruling against a retirement village developer that claimed ‘squatters' rights', or adverse possession, over a Sydney property. And two court decisions highlight important issues in Britain's health laws.

    US trademark dispute threatens ugg boot business, and deportation fears for returned prison escapee

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2021 28:33


    A Sydney ugg boot maker says his 40-year-old business is at risk of bankruptcy following a trademark dispute in the United States courts. And can Australia deport a prison escapee, who surrendered after 30 years on the run, to a country that no longer exists?

    Sue Neill-Fraser loses appeal against murder conviction

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 28:34


    Tasmanian woman Sue Neill-Fraser's latest appeal has failed to overturn her murder conviction for the death of Bob Chappell, her former partner who disappeared from a yacht moored off Hobart in 2009. Has the appeal shed new light on a case in which a body was never found?

    Could AI help make the law more accessible for disabled people?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 28:34


    Could ‘chatbots', a form of artificial intelligence technology, help make the legal system more accessible for people living with disabilities?  

    'Body modification' on trial

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2021 28:35


    In a precedent-setting case, a New South Wales judge has found self-proclaimed extreme body modification artist Brendan Leigh Russell guilty of female genital mutilation, grievous bodily harm, and manslaughter. Is consent a valid legal defence when cosmetic 'body modification' procedures go wrong?

    Adriana Rivas mounts new appeal against Chile extradition

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 28:34


    Should Sydney woman Adriana Rivas, who is accused of being a Pinochet-era intelligence agent, be extradited to Chile over alleged crimes against humanity? The full bench of the Federal Court is set to hear her latest appeal this week. And calls for Australia to investigate allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in communities with links to conflict zones.

    Reforming NSW sexual consent laws

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 28:34


    What impact could proposed changes to New South Wales consent laws have in delivering justice to victims and survivors of sexual assault?

    UK legal action over rugby league players' brain injury, and deciding judicial recusals in Australian courts

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 28:35


    Australia's football codes are closely monitoring a class action brought by former rugby league players in Britain who allege the sport's governing body failed to protect them from the risks of brain damage. And are judges best placed to decide when to recuse themselves from a court case?

    Assange extradition appeal, WikiLeaks and journalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2021 28:35


    Britain's High Court is set to hear the United States government's appeal against a ruling blocking the extradition of Julian Assange on mental health grounds. And warnings that US attempts to prosecute the WikiLeaks founder for publishing classified government documents could have devastating implications for press freedom.

    Climate science dismissal case sparks academic freedom debate, High Court quashes Palmer $30bn WA compensation challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 28:34


    A long-running unfair dismissal case involving Queensland university professor Peter Ridd has sparked intense debate around questions of academic freedom. Also in the program: the High Court has quashed a legal challenge by mining magnate-turned-politician Clive Palmer against laws designed to ban his company from suing the West Australian government for compensation over a disputed contract.

    Judicial impartiality, and court disclosure obligations for electronic evidence

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2021 28:35


    Should judges have social contact with lawyers who appear before them in court? The Australian Law Reform Commission is conducting an inquiry into judicial impartiality. Also, is there an obligation on prosecutors to provide defence lawyers with all the raw data downloaded from a confiscated mobile phone?

    'Squatters' rights', and UK health laws

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2021 28:35


    The New South Wales Supreme Court has ruled against a retirement village developer claiming ‘squatters' rights', or adverse possession, over a Sydney property. And two court decisions highlight important issues in UK health law: the legality of severe disability as a reason for late-term abortions and access to puberty-suppressing drugs for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

    Regulating Covid-19 misinformation and social media influencers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2021 28:34


    What do the federal politician Craig Kelly, anaesthetist Dr Paul Oosterhuis, celebrity chef Pete Evans and clothing brand Lorna Jane have in common? They have all been at loggerheads with various regulators over Covid-19 misinformation.

    Britain's offshore detention plans, and investigating human rights violations

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2021 28:35


    Britain seeks to overhaul immigration laws as asylum seekers and migrants continue to arrive across the English Channel from France.  How to investigate human rights violations when on-the-ground access becomes impossible? And, the dangers facing human rights investigators in Afghanistan. Guests: Madeline Gleeson, Senior Research Fellow, Andrew & Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law Daniela Gavshon, Program Director, Truth and Accountability, Public Interest Advocacy Centre Mariam (pseudonym), former human rights investigator in Afghanistan

    Media impact of High Court defamation ruling, and NT youth bail laws

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 28:38


    How could the High Court media defamation ruling affect social media use? And, are changes to NT youth bail laws fit for purpose?

    How does Australia's COVID vaccine injury scheme compare with compensation programs abroad?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2021 28:30


    The Commonwealth-funded No Fault COVID-19 Indemnity Scheme aims to compensate for medical expenses and loss of income resulting from an adverse reaction following vaccination.

    Passenger injured in stolen car denied compensation and COVID-19 death ruled workplace injury

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 28:36


    Should compensation be denied to a passenger in a stolen vehicle who was seriously injured when it crashed? And, a New South Wales Tribunal has ruled that a COVID-19 death can be classified as a work-related injury.

    What future for Afghanistan after Taliban return?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2021 28:15


    What will the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan mean for women and human rights?

    Victorian tenant evicted after COVID19 moratorium ends. Also, can you sue over negative online reviews?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2021 28:32


    The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has found that landlords can evict tenants for non-payment of rent during the big Victorian lockdown of 2020. It's a ruling that could affect thousands of vulnerable renters. And, should doctors, lawyers and other professionals be able to sue someone who posts a negative online review?

    Balancing individual and community rights in a pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2021 28:35


    As the COVID19 pandemic grips NSW, how do we balance the rights of an individual with those of the broader community? And the Victorian Ombudsman has released a report detailing human rights breaches, many dealing with ensuring compliance with COVID 19 public orders.  

    WA Parliament debates new child protection laws

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2021 28:35


    This week, the WA parliament is debating new child protection legislation.  Meanwhile a program called Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making is being piloted. Will new laws and programs reduce the vast over representation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care, currently seventeen times more likely than non-Indigenous children?

    Covid19 vaccination litigation in the US and transporting jurors virtually to the scene of the crime

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2021 28:35


    In the USA there is a growing number of legal disputes involving employees, consumers and university students who are challenging mandatory vaccination requirements. And new research suggests that virtual reality headsets could help jurors reach fairer verdicts in complex criminal trials.

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