Articles
Applying to vary domestic violence orders in Queensland
If a final domestic violence protection order has been made against you, or protecting you, there may be circumstances that arise during the operation of the order which cause you to consider applying to change the order.
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Protected counselling communication privilege in criminal law Queensland
Under Queensland’s criminal law, communications with counsellors about sexual offending are subject to a ‘protected counselling communication privilege’ during the legal process. This privilege governs what can and cannot be accessed from a complainant’s confidential conversations with counsellors.
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The use of good character evidence in sexual offence sentencing
From 1 November 2025, Queensland courts will no longer accept “good character” references in sentencing for sexual offences unless those references are directly relevant to an offender’s rehabilitation prospects or likelihood of reoffending.
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How courts determine if a criminal conviction should be recorded or not
In Queensland, when a court convicts an offender, one important question arises: should a formal ‘criminal conviction’ be recorded against the individual? Very often, the court, has a discretion whether or not to record a conviction.
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The criminal defence of provocation in Queensland
Provocation is a legal concept that recognises that sometimes people react in the heat of the moment to serious insults or wrongful acts like assaults and other offences of violence. In Queensland, provocation can be a complete defence to assault and a partial defence to murder.
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Police Protection Directions changes to DV laws Queensland from January 2026
The landscape regarding domestic violence law in Queensland changes again. As of 1 January 2026, new laws empower police to issue ‘on-the-spot’ domestic violence protection orders, called Police Protection Directions.
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Obligations, duties and offences under the environmental protection regime in Queensland
Queensland’s environmental protection framework is aimed at safeguarding the environment, balancing sustainable development with ecological preservation. A critical component of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 is the ability for offenders to be charged with offences to deter harmful activities, ensure accountability, and promote compliance.
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Short term vs long term child protection orders in Queensland
Two common categories of child protection orders are short-term orders and long-term orders. This article explains the key differences between short-term and long-term orders, how they work, and what families should know when facing these situations.
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Adult crime, adult time list of offences expanded from May 2025
In May 2025, the Queensland Parliament passed further amendments to the Making Queensland Safer Act, expanding the list of serious offences that can attract adult-equivalent penalties when committed by young offenders. These changes took effect on 23 May 2025.
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Understanding a "show cause" letter from your employer
Receiving a “show cause letter” from your employer can be a very stressful experience. Understanding what a show cause letter means, what your rights and responsibilities are, and how best to respond can all significantly affect the outcome and your employment position.
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Queensland’s new sexual consent laws – effective from September 2024
The law in Queensland regarding consent to sexual activity has been substantially amended. The new laws are already in effect and came into place on 23 September 2024. The key changes as they relate to sexual offences are discussed in this article.
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Covertly recording conversations in the workplace
In recent years, the issue of covertly recording conversations in the workplace has emerged as an important topic in employment law. Such secret recordings raise concerns about privacy, workplace rights and protections, and the issue of trust between employees and employers.
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