“In the Law Council’s view, mandatory sentencing laws are inherently arbitrary and limit an individual’s right to a fair trial by preventing judges from imposing an appropriate penalty based on the unique circumstances of each case.” lawcouncil.au/media/news/y...

“The Road Rules Amendment Regulations have broadened the definition of 'use' to circumstances where a mobile phone is being held, including in the driver’s lap” www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

New research appears to have uncovered a large concentration of young women engaging in harmful online sexual behaviours.

Here's the legal buzz from past week.

Good read: ‘Could “Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy” solve the mystery of the Umina Beach jawbone?’ www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-aust...

And... here's my post on why I don't think AI entities can ever be treated as responsible agents anything that is recognisably a system of criminal laws. criminaljusticetheoryblog.wordpress.com/2024/11/29/w... Comments/reactions welcome!

Is there an #saparli starter pack or some such out here? Struggling to find any Adelaideans here, and I'm sure they exist.... or do they?

Presiding Member Leeroy Bilney delivers the inaugural address of South Australia’s First Nations Voice to Parliament. www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11...

For professional degrees such as Law this is a major concern. We don't want to send lawyers out into the world without the necessary knowledge and skills. So, in my undergrad unit, Public International Law, 100% of the assessment comprises invigilated pen and paper exams.

⚖️ Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner v Belperio (No 2)[2024] SASCA 133 www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/view...

Australian litigators - what, if any, legal presumptions have you found most useful in practice? I have a chapter on them in the book, and propose to deal individually with those that still have modern utility, including the following. Any of these particularly important to you? Any I've missed?

Interesting study from the Property Law course at Griffith University. Does in-person attendance correlate with higher marks? TL;DR maybe a little, but *engagement* is likely to be more important for student performance than *attendance*. #legaled ler.scholasticahq.com/article/1236...

Media release — ‘ACT Bar Association concerned that juries in sexual assault trials may be perceived as not believing the complainants' allegations’ #auslaw mailchi.mp/1d7181fa817c...

“The ACT Bar Association is concerned that there may be a perception, based upon recent comments attributed to the ACT Chief Justice... that juries in sexual assault trials are getting it wrong because they do not believe the allegations made by complainants” www.theaustralian.com.au/business/leg...

Here is a brief background to @austlii.edu.au. AustLII provides a comprehensive integrated collection of Australian legal information, enabling effective free and anonymous access to law for the community. It contains over 1,000 databases of full-text primary and secondary legal materials. AustLII:

Criminal Law Starter Pack #auslaw go.bsky.app/2LUhDo5

“Corrupt police misconduct, as yours was, has significant social consequences. It undermines public confidence in the police force” —Judge Cahill, Vic County Court www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11...

New today on AUSPUBLAW: Samuel Naylor critically examines Division 105A of the Commonwealth Criminal Code, in light of the INSLM’s 2023 report and Hollingworth J’s judgment in Benbrika v AG [2024]: www.auspublaw.org/blog/2024/11...

Shout out to legal academics in Australia: I’ve started a Starter Pack, let me know if you would like to be added or removed. Your suggestions most welcome go.bsky.app/A9tXyKu

⚖️ McConnell v Albanese [2024] SASCA 131 @austlii.edu.au www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/view...

@austlii.edu.au has joined the blue butterfly. We will maintain our Twitter feed for a while but will seek to increase our presence here.

“I don't think that it is helpful to speculate on the reasons for a jury's decision when there is no suggestion that they have not complied with their obligations to determine the matter on the evidence before them” — Arthur Moses SC #auslaw www.theaustralian.com.au/business/leg...

How a dictionary derailed a criminal trial, and other tales of juror misconduct. www.smh.com.au/national/nsw... #auslaw