Law Report

ABC Australia

From courtroom dramas to miscarriages of justice, to how the law affects you — and so much more. The Law Report is your accessible guide to the big legal stories unfolding in Australia and across the world.

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249 episodes
Updated July 28

Episodes249

Newest first

May 28, 2024 · 28 min
Can X be held liable for publishing hate speech in Australia? Bad Neighbours: cars & apartments
In a legal first, a Queensland tribunal finds the social media platform formerly known as Twitter can be held liable for hate speech published on the site. Can a victim of road rage claim workers compensation? And the Law Report drives around the frustrations of cars in apartment blocks.
May 22, 2024 · 12 min
BAD NEIGHBOURS S2 E3 | Surveillance cameras
Do you ever feel like you're being watched? The Law Report zooms in on curious neighbours and talks to experts about your rights and responsibilities when it comes to residential surveillance cameras.
May 21, 2024 · 28 min
UK court ruling paves way for new Assange appeal against extradition; Bad Neighbours: surveillance cameras
Britain's High Court has ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can bring a new appeal against extradition to the US on espionage charges. Also in the program, a legal decision that could be a game changer for hundreds of Australians who developed lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos.
May 16, 2024 · 11 min
BAD NEIGHBOURS S2 E2 | Water
The Law Report follows the flow of cases that create waves between neighbours and talks to experts about your rights and responsibilities when it comes to water.
May 14, 2024 · 28 min
War crimes whistleblower David McBride sentenced; Bad Neighbours: water
Former military lawyer David McBride has been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for leaking classified documents that exposed allegations of Australian war crimes in Afghanistan.
May 8, 2024 · 12 min
BAD NEIGHBOURS S2 E1 | Smells
Everybody needs good neighbours, but what do you do if yours are big stinkers? In the first of our six-part series, The Law Report sniffs out the neighbourhood smells that have landed in court, so you know where you stand with the law and the pong next door.
May 7, 2024 · 28 min
The end of non-compete clauses? Bad Neighbours: smells
Should an employer be able to restrict your future work options?When you are fighting with your neighbour over things like fences, cameras or cars, whose side is the law on?
Apr 30, 2024 · 28 min
Tikanga: Incorporating Māori concepts in NZ common law
Justice Joe Willams, the first Māori member of NZ's Supreme Court, speaks to Damien Carrick about how courts in his country are adopting First Nations concepts in the common law.
Apr 23, 2024 · 28 min
Jury selection in Trump's 'hush money' trial; monitoring dangerous offenders after release from prison
Donald Trump's high profile criminal trial gets underway in New York. And meet the tough former prosecutor who became responsible for monitoring the reintegration of Victoria's most dangerous criminals.
Apr 16, 2024 · 28 min
Judge rules, on balance of probabilities, Lehrmann raped Higgins
In a high-profile defamation case, justice Michael Lee found that former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann, on the balance of probabilities, raped his then colleague Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House in 2019.
Apr 9, 2024 · 28 min
Do Queensland's criminal defence laws need to be reformed?
If someone is charged with a violent crime like murder or assault, what defences can they argue? That depends on what part of Australia you live in.The Queensland Law Reform Commission is conducting a review of the criminal defences which operate in that state – some of them very controversial. Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence, including murder, assault and domestic violence.
Apr 2, 2024 · 28 min
Two hundred years of the NSW Supreme Court
Next month, the Supreme Court of New South Wales marks its 200th birthday. A new book, Constant Guardian: Changing Times, tells the history of the court. In his first extensive interview since his appointment in 2022, NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell tells Damien Carrick about some of the significant trials discussed in the book.
Mar 26, 2024 · 28 min
Movements in work safety: Victoria's first industrial manslaughter prosecutions and feedback on OH&S laws
The Law Report makes the law accessible.
Mar 19, 2024 · 28 min
Protecting IP rights: a guide for divorcees and inventors
Dividing up intellectual property rights in a divorce settlement. And the case of a mining equipment company that legally can't stop competitors from copying its invention.
Mar 12, 2024 · 28 min
"Trapped in silence": The campaign to end NDA misuse
The global campaign to end the misuse of non-disclosure agreements. And record damages awarded in a sexual harassment case make it clear courts won't tolerate employers who intimidate complainants.
Mar 5, 2024 · 28 min
Non-disclosure agreements in sexual harassment cases
How are non-disclosure agreements used in the settlement of sexual harassment claims? Damien Carrick speaks to the co-authors of a new study, "Let's talk about confidentiality".
Feb 27, 2024 · 28 min
Do we have healthy industry competition in Australia?
Do we have healthy industry competition in Australia? Do we have the right regulatory framework? Damien Carrick speaks to the chairwoman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Gina Cass-Gottlieb.
Feb 20, 2024 · 28 min
Julian Assange: Will Britain's High Court approve new appeal against US extradition?
Lawyers for Julian Assange will appear in Britain's High Court this week in what could be the final attempt to stop the WikiLeaks founder from being extradited to the United States, where he faces espionage charges.
Feb 13, 2024 · 28 min
Mother of US school shooter found guilty of manslaughter; the death penalty in China
Should a parent be held legally responsible for the crimes of their child? And Australian writer and academic Yang Hengjun is given a suspended death sentence in China after being found guilty of espionage.
Feb 6, 2024 · 28 min
Derek Bromley to make new parole bid 40 years after murder conviction
After 40 years in jail — a new attempt to secure parole for the man said to be Australia's longest-serving Indigenous prisoner. Warning: this episode mentions Indigenous people who have died.