Articles

Category: General


Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) interviews

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) interviews

If you’re involved directly or indirectly in a transport safety incident in Australia, you may be required by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to be interviewed in relation to that incident. It’s important for people who are required to participant in an ATSB interview to understand their rights and obligations.
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A guide to Queensland’s criminal justice system

A guide to Queensland’s criminal justice system

Whether you are involved as a victim, a witness, a juror, or a defendant in Queensland’s criminal justice system, it is important to understand the basics of the court system, as well as ‘who’s who in the zoo’; including prosecutors, magistrates, judges, juries and lawyers.
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Human rights in Australia

Human rights in Australia

Human rights are a basic set of rights and freedoms available to everyone. We look at the differences between the Federal and State laws and your options if your human rights are breached.
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Legal definitions of discrimination in Australia

What does the law say about discrimination?

A close look at Federal and Queensland-based laws that protect rights against discrimination, along with your options to pursue legal recourse if you experience discrimination.
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How to protest lawfully in Queensland

Protesting lawfully in Queensland: the law, the process and the risks involved

The right of peaceful assembly, commonly referred to protesting, is considered a key pillar of a democratic society. In Queensland, the right to assemble peacefully in a public place is recognised in the Peaceful Assembly Act.
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What is legal professional privilege?

Legal Professional Privilege

Legal professional privilege describes the protection from disclosure extended to communications (written or oral) made in the course of obtaining legal advice or for contemplated or actual legal proceedings.
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Court operations during COVID-19 in Queensland

COVID-19 and the operation of the criminal law courts in Queensland

The work of courts in Queensland has changed rapidly to adapt to the need to reduce physical contact and contain the spread of COVID-19. Physical attendance is being minimised through re-organising the court calendar and using technology to conduct court hearings remotely.
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What does the Queensland Home Confinement Direction specify?

COVID-19 and Home Confinement Direction Queensland

On 29 March 2020, the chief health officer issued the ‘home confinement direction’ – the most restrictive direction so far. So what does it involve?
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Character references for court

Character references in criminal proceedings

Providing your lawyer and the court with evidence of your otherwise good character can be crucial in criminal law sentencing proceedings. Significant weight can be placed on a character reference for court when determining the appropriate penalty to be imposed.
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What happens at a restorative justice conference?

Restorative justice conferencing (previously called justice mediation)

During criminal law proceedings, a restorative justice conference may be deemed appropriate, in order to provide the complainant an opportunity to tell their story and the defendant an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions.
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Recovering legal costs in criminal law matters

Recovering your legal costs in criminal law matters

One of the first questions we’re often asked by new clients is ‘Will our legal costs be reimbursed if we win?’ A large percentage of the population is ineligible for Legal Aid funding. Being a defendant in the criminal justice system can, therefore...
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How do I choose a criminal lawyer?

Choosing a criminal lawyer

Choosing the right lawyer to defend you in a criminal matter is crucial. The skills of your lawyer will not only affect the ultimate outcome of your case, but will also impact on how stressful you find the journey through the criminal justice system.
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