Law Report

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?

Simon Darcy, a Professor at UTS Management School and a disability advocate, explores the intersection of AI and accessibility in law. He discusses how chatbots can empower individuals with disabilities to navigate the legal system and file complaints about discrimination. Personal stories highlight the need for accessible complaint mechanisms, while insights on NALA show the transformative potential of AI technology. Darcy emphasizes that these tools could vastly improve access to justice, making legal assistance more efficient for those facing traditional barriers.

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?

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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?