Articles

The punishment for sexual assault in Australia depends on the specific type of offence. The most serious offences can carry life imprisonment, however, most offences have lower maximum penalties. The primary legislation for sexual offences is the Crimes Act 1900, although some less serious offences are contained in other acts. Specialist sexual assault lawyers can […]

Two-up is an Australian gambling game which is illegal except on ANZAC Day. Amendments to laws throughout Australia in the 1980s created this exception to honour Australian soldiers who played the game during World War 1. The game is usually classified as illegal as it falls into a category of unregulated gambling. What is Two-up? […]

The conditions of an apprehended violence order (AVO) are designed to protect a person from another person.   Apprehended domestic violence orders (ADVOs) govern domestic relationships such as an intimate partner, family member or a person you are living with. Apprehended personal violence orders (APVOs) refer to other relationships such as neighbours, acquaintances and fellow […]

The recent introduction of a lapsing interim Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders – known as a lapsing AVO – has provided a new avenue for AVOs to be dismissed. However, the new scheme does not operate in all courts. It is currently being tested and if found to be effective, is likely to be extended to […]

Strip search laws in NSW are governed under the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (‘LEPRA’). There are strict requirements that officers must follow. Recent statistics about strip searches have shown that a significant number of strip searches are conducted unlawfully by police. If a strip search has been conducted unlawfully on you, then […]

Squatters rights in Australia have been in the spotlight in recent years. If a squatter has had possession of a property for a continuous period of 12 years or more, they may be able to claim adverse possession. That is why it is important for landlords and tenants to be aware of their rights and […]

Freezing orders are complex legal instruments. Unsurprisingly, most laypersons are confused about the process. If you are seeking to impose a freezing order, or you have been served one, you will need professional legal advice and representation. What is a Freezing Order? A freezing order, otherwise known as a Mareva order, is a type of […]

The ability of police to force a person to unlock their phone has improved since the recent introduction of digital evidence access order legislation in New South Wales. This has extended police powers, allowing law enforcement to compel individuals to provide passcodes to electronic devices. The are hefty penalties including fines and imprisonment for a […]

What is the most common crime in each Victorian suburb? The crime rate in Victoria is rising. With this in mind, our criminal law specialists wanted to analyse the crime data from the last five years to discover the most common crimes across Victoria, as well as in each suburb, and to understand how crime […]

NSW Parliament recently passed anti-protest laws, in the form of amendments to existing legislation that govern the extent of protesting. The effect of these amendments has broadened the scope for criminality in the context of protesting, and conversely limited the right to protest in NSW. This is despite the right to protest being an integral […]