Canadian Court Rules That a ‘Thumbs Up’ Emoji Can Validate a Contract
It’s hard not to love the emoji - it’s a cute, quick and easy way to communicate. And tech providers are coming up with new ideas all the time to keep us amused as we stay in touch with each...
In What Circumstances Can a Judge Direct a Jury to Acquit the Defendant?
A judge who was presiding over the jury trial of a Victorian police officer this week has taken the decision regarding guilt or innocence away from the jurors, directing them to return an acquittal on all assault charges and thereby...
Ben & Jerry’s Founder Arrested for Protesting the Prosecution of Julian Assange
The founder of ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s has been arrested for protesting against the continuing prosecution of Julian Assange by the United States Government. On 6 July 2023, Ben Cohen was leading a small group of protesters, along...
Police Officer Who Fatally Tasered 95-Year Old Excused From Attending Court
The New South Wales police officer who fatally tasered 95-year old grandmother, Clare Nowland, has faced Cooma Local Court, where the presiding magistrate expressed “absolute disgust” for the fact the officer, 33-year old senior constable Kristian White, was allowed to...
Government’s Payment of $3 Million to Brittany Higgins Referred to Corruption Watchdog
Just when you thought the Britany Higgins’ story had finally stopped making headlines, it is now under the spotlight again – this time because of the payout made to the complainant by the Morrison Government. The amount of the ex...
NSW Police Officer Found Guilty of Aggravated Sexual Assault of Teenager
A New South Wales Police Officer has been found guilty of having sexual intercourse with a child between the ages of 14 and 16 years. Former officer Troy Robert Cridland was refused bail and taken into custody after a jury...
Gladys Berejiklian ‘Engaged in Serious Corrupt Conduct’, But Won’t Be Criminally Prosecuted
The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has handed down damning findings against former Premier Gladys Berejiklian, and her secret lover Daryl Maguire, yet it will not be recommending that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions...
Can a Person Be Charged with a Criminal Offence That Has Since Been Repealed?
The “Teacher’s Pet” story, involving the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Chris Dawson’s wife in 1982 and his sexual relationship with one of his high school pupils, has gripped Australia for decades. Now, the story may be coming to an...
William Tyrell’s Disappearance: What Are the Proposed New Charges and Will the DPP Prosecute?
One of the many theories behind 3-year old William Tyrrell’s disappearance in 2014 could see his foster mother charged with fresh criminal offences. The investigation into the toddler’s disappearance is not Australia’s longest running investigation, but one of the country’s...
ASIC Slams Insurance Industry, But What Will Be Done About It?
An investigation by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, or ASIC, has led to a damning indictment of the nation’s insurance industry. In its report of 23 June 2023, titled When the price is not right: Making good on insurance...