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Law Report

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Jul 7, 2025 • 17min

Law Report Special - Triple mushroom murder: Erin Patterson found guilty

Rishi Nathwani, a defense barrister from Parnell's Barristers in Melbourne, delves into the shocking case of Erin Patterson, found guilty of poisoning her estranged husband's family. The discussion pivots around the intense jury deliberation and the critical question of Patterson's intent with the deadly mushrooms. Nathwani also highlights the legal standard of 'beyond reasonable doubt' and the complexities of jury selection, particularly in high-profile trials laden with media attention, emphasizing the delicate balance between justice and public perception.
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Jul 3, 2025 • 0sec

What happens inside the jury room?

The jury in mushroom cook Erin Patterson’s triple murder trial has retired to deliberate the verdict, guilty or not guilty. But what happens in there behind closed doors? When they retire to the deliberation room, should they leave all of their personal beliefs and prejudices at the door? And is this even possible? How does it work? In this episode from our special series Inside the Jury Room which first aired in 2018 Damien Carrick sets out to find the answer.  
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Jul 1, 2025 • 29min

Could a landmark US Supreme Court ruling expand Trump's powers?

US President Donald Trump has praised a landmark Supreme Court ruling that struck down 'universal injunctions' issued by lower court judges, made in response to his executive order on birthright citizenship. What are the implications for numerous Trump administration policies blocked by court injunctions? And for the legal boundaries of presidential power?
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Jun 25, 2025 • 0sec

Law Report Special: Antoinette Lattouf v ABC

The Federal Court has ruled that the ABC wrongfully dismissed journalist Antoinette Lattouf for reasons including that she "held a political opinion opposing the Israeli military campaign in Gaza." In this special episode, the Law Report looks at what the verdict means for the ABC, and employers and employees more generally.
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Jun 24, 2025 • 29min

'Pseudolaw' in the courts: Can you pay a legal debt with an IOU?

Warren Tredrea, a prominent Adelaide football personality who unsuccessfully sued Channel 9 for unfair dismissal, has argued in court that his legal debt to the media organisation was settled with a written IOU note. Is this an example of 'pseudolaw'? And how do pseudolegal arguments impact on the courts' work?
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Jun 17, 2025 • 29min

NSW flood insurance crisis; Marking 50 years of Australia's Racial Discrimination Act

Huge property loss is upending the lives of communities in flood-hit parts of New South Wales — what's happening to the rise in insurance claims in areas prone to flooding? And a look back at 50 years of the Australian Racial Discrimination Act. 
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Jun 10, 2025 • 29min

How art is transforming the lives of First Nations prisoners

Can art change lives? Confined 16 is an exhibition in Melbourne of First Nations artists who picked up the paint brush while they were in prison. 
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Jun 3, 2025 • 29min

The case for stronger whistleblower protections in Australia

The return of high-profile whistleblowing cases to court has renewed calls for legislative reform in Australia to better protect, provide oversight and support to, those who expose wrongdoing in the public and private sectors.
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May 27, 2025 • 29min

The mushroom murder trial; Tasmanian supermarket sued for banning entry to 'therapy alpaca'

A Victorian woman is on trial accused of poisoning her lunch guests by serving them a meal laced with death cap mushrooms. And a Tasmanian couple banned from taking their alpaca into a supermarket is accusing the store of disability discrimination.
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May 20, 2025 • 29min

"What's in your drugs?": Pill testing at music events

Does pill testing save lives? Damien Carrick visits a pop-up service at a Melbourne music event where substances are checked, and staff talk to partygoers about reducing risk when using drugs. 

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