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

Jan 30, 2024 · 28 min
ICJ issues interim measures in Israel genocide case; UK faces legal challenge over Northern Ireland amnesty law
The Law Report makes the law accessible.
Jan 23, 2024 · 28 min
South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the ICJ
The International Court of Justice has held the first public hearings in South Africa's genocide case against Israel. And there's concern over the New Zealand government plan to wind back the principles of the country's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi.
Jan 16, 2024 · 28 min
High tech solutions to age-old crime of livestock theft
'Facial recognition for cows', GPS animal tags and DNA testing represent some of the technology being developed to help investigate and solve livestock theft and other farm-related crimes. This episode first aired in February 2023.
Jan 9, 2024 · 28 min
Justice, but not in my language: Aboriginal interpreter shortage in NT courts
Lawyers in the Northern Territory say the shortage of Indigenous interpreters has become so critical that it's significantly contributing to the over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system. This is the first in a two-part special investigation into the impact of interpreter shortages in Australian courts. This episode first aired in July 2023.
Jan 2, 2024 · 28 min
Could sending an emoji land you in legal trouble?
Think twice before you fire off that lighthearted emoji – there could be serious legal consequences. This episode first aired in August 2023.
Dec 26, 2023 · 28 min
Singing to the Sea
One year has passed since the Federal Court confirmed native title over more than 40,000 square kilometres of sea country in the Torres Strait region. For the first time the claim brought together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to achieve joint native title outcomes. Traditional singing provided crucial evidence in the proceedings. Damien Carrick travelled to Waibene, or Thursday Island, to attend the outdoor sitting and to speak with Traditional Owners. This episode first air
Dec 19, 2023 · 28 min
'Sovereign citizens' in the courts
We've all heard of 'sovereign citizens', a term referring to people who don't believe the law applies to them. But how much do we know about this group and its impact on the courts? This episode first aired in May 2023.
Dec 12, 2023 · 28 min
Avoiding the legal risks of office Christmas parties
After a long Covid hiatus the office Christmas party is back with a vengeance. We all want to enjoy ourselves, but also have to be mindful of the risks.
Dec 5, 2023 · 28 min
Grant Donaldson SC on balancing open justice and national security
The outgoing Independent National Security Legislation Monitor's final report recommends an overhaul of legislation that Grant Donaldson says can be 'unnecessary and oppressive'.
Nov 28, 2023 · 28 min
Battle of the burger chains; hundreds sentenced in Italy mafia trial
Hungry Jacks has won a legal fight against McDonalds over the use of its Big Jack and Mega Jack trademarks. And a court in Italy has handed prison sentences to more than 200 people over their links to the ‘Ndrangheta crime group.
Nov 21, 2023 · 28 min
Jurors who do their own research; prosecuting violence in sport
If a juror does their own research in a trial, does that mean that any guilty verdict reached by the jury is dangerous and should be quashed? And a look at when violence in sport crosses the line and becomes a criminal law matter.
Nov 14, 2023 · 28 min
Why did the High Court rule indefinite immigration detention unlawful?
In an historic decision, the High Court has ruled that indefinite immigration detention is unlawful. And could convicted terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika be released following a successful appeal against a conviction that saw him stripped of Australian citizenship.
Nov 7, 2023 · 28 min
Naming sexual assault suspects in the media; surveillance in the workplace
When should the identity of an accused facing sexual assault charges be named in the media? And how closely can your employer monitor you?
Oct 31, 2023 · 28 min
Judicial capacity building in the Pacific
What are the unique challenges facing justice systems in the Pacific region?
Oct 24, 2023 · 28 min
Chief Justice Susan Kiefel speaks to the Law Report
In a wide-ranging interview, the outgoing High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel speaks to Damien Carrick about her unlikely journey to the top judicial job, women in the law, and her support for joint judgments.
Oct 17, 2023 · 28 min
Voice referendum aftermath; Queensland introduces legislation to criminalise coercive control
What can Australia learn from the outcome of the Voice referendum? And Queensland's government has introduced legislation to make coercive control a standalone criminal offence.
Oct 10, 2023 · 28 min
Constitutional implications of Indigenous Voice proposal; could pill testing save lives?
In the lead-up to the referendum vote, the Law Report discusses the constitutional implications of the proposal for an Indigenous Voice to parliament. Also in the program, could pill testing of illicit drugs save lives?
Oct 3, 2023 · 28 min
Disability royal commission delivers findings; 'Fake nurse' jailed in Australian legal first
What recommendations does the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability make in its final report to the federal government? And, in a legal first, a South Australian woman has been sent to jail for impersonating a registered health practitioner.
Sep 26, 2023 · 28 min
Victorian nurse becomes first voluntary assisted dying patient to donate organs
For the first time in Australia, a patient who chose to undergo voluntary assisted dying has donated their organs for transplant. So, how did the strict legal and regulatory frameworks governing the processes in Victoria interact in this case?
Sep 19, 2023 · 28 min
'Voices' to parliament in Scandinavia
The Law Report makes the law accessible.