Threatening Judges and Rule of Law
Reading Time: 3 minutesThreats against Colorado Supreme Court judges for finding Trump disqualified from holding public office highlight concern with the state of US rule of law, judiciary and democracy.
Category: LEGAL MATTERS
Court Proceedings Need To Be Seen To Be Understood
Reading Time: 6 minutes By its very nature, defamation attracts public attention. Recognising public interest in the high profile defamation proceedings brought against Chanel 10 and journalist Lisa Wilkinson, and the desirability of the public being able to observe and judge for themselves whether justice has been done, the Federal Court has directed the proceedings to be streamed live. Viewing the proceedings streamed by the Court not only provides a first hand insight into the defamation case but also reveals many actual and potential benefits of live streaming court proceedings.
US Supreme Court’s Code of Conduct
Reading Time: 2 minutesThat the US Supreme Court’s code of judicial conduct had to be drafted in response to public criticism of inappropriate judicial behaviour is embarassing, but at the same time, to be applauded as a reminder to the Justices and reassurance to the public.
‘No will leave us nowhere. No recognition. No way forward’ says the PM – I beg to differ.
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA No vote victory on the Voice to Parliament proposal would not leave Indigenous affairs ‘nowhere’. Contrary to what the Yes camp wants us to believe, making the Voice permanent would not necessarily be a step forward. While governments have repeatedly appointed and Indigenous advisory bodies that governments appointed and abolished, the wording of the proposed constitutional amendment would allow Parliament to alter at will literally everything about the Voice apart from its existence.
Justice Amy Barrett’s Nomination, Judicial Independence and Religious Beliefs
Reading Time: 7 minutesWidespread criticism of President Trump nomination of Justice Amy Barrett. to fill a vacancy on the US Supreme Court raises many issues including the separation of church and state, the perception of judicial neutrality and the politicization of the US Supreme Court. Particularly concerning is Justice Barrett’s apparent willingness to permit the President to exploit her religious beliefs to further his agenda of reinterpreting the law.
If Pell Wins Special Leave to Appeal, The High Court Is Highly Unlikely to Rule on His Guilt.
Reading Time: 2 minutesIt is possible that the High Court will grant Pell special leave to appeal. Such an appeal would provide the Court with an opportunity to rule on the law relating to appeals of jury verdicts in trials such as Pell’s. But, Pell’s guilty verdict, I suggest, is most likely to stand.
Pell’s Appeal – The Final Steps
Reading Time: 4 minutesGeorge Pell has one remaining avenue of appeal – the High Court. However, the prerequisites to such an appeal suggest that it is highly unlikely to be heard.
Folau is Off to Court – the Legal Issues
Reading Time: 5 minutesAn outline of the the legal situation in Folau’s action against Rugby Australia, and the most relevant sections of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).