Law Report

"Your failure to exhibit any remorse pours salt into all the victims' wounds," said Judge Christopher Beale in sentencing Erin Patterson to life in prison, with a non-parole period of 33 years, for the murder of her elderly in-laws.

David Heilpern, Dean of Law at Southern Cross University and a former magistrate, dives into the dark world of the sovereign citizen movement. He discusses the tragic ramifications of Dezi Freeman's violent actions and how they expose the challenges the legal system faces with self-represented individuals. Heilpern highlights the bizarre beliefs of sovereign citizens, their claims of legal immunity, and the surge of misinformation exacerbated by recent events. The podcast underscores the urgent need for better legal education and strategies to combat these dangerous ideologies.

Former Coalition Federal Minister Linda Reynolds has won her defamation case against former parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins.It has been widely reported that both parties literally put their houses on the line to fund their legal campaigns and today, almost a year after the trial wrapped, Justice Paul Tottle of the WA Supreme Court ordered that Brittany Higgins pay Linda Reynolds $315,000 in damages and $26,000 in interest.The trial centred on three social media posts written by Brittany Higgins, four years after she alleges she was raped in parliament house by her then colleague Bruce Lehrmann.  The social media posts criticised her then boss Linda Reynolds.Defamation law expert Dr Jessica Lake joins host Damien Carrick to analyse why Higgins legal team defences of truth, fair comment and qualified privilege mostly failed and what this will mean for future defamation cases. To hear more in-depth expert coverage of the important legal stories and cases of the week search for The Law Report podcast on the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts.Guest: Defamation Law expert Dr Jessica Lake from Melbourne University Law School

Victoria is the latest jurisdiction to adopt laws that punish offenders who brag about their crimes on social media, as Western Australia considers a similar bill to increase the maximum prison sentence. Critics fear the legislation could stifle free speech and lead to a rise in youth incarceration. And Australian regulations around electronic cigarettes are being tightened - are the new rules working?

The Nine Network's Federal Court victory over high-profile surgeon Munjed Al Muderis marks the first time a media organisation has defended a defamation case on public interest grounds. And two people who claim to have directed a documentary being screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival are at the centre of an unusual legal fight.

The Federal Court has awarded a record $305,000 in damages to a young woman who was sexually harassed by her employer at a Sydney fast food restaurant. And is it time to change how Australian law defines terrorism?

As more countries move towards formal recognition of a Palestinian state, the Law Report examines the conditions for statehood under international law. And what are the risks, benefits and opportunities presented by electronic wills?

Damien Sturzacker, a partner at Mark Lawyers, shines a light on a groundbreaking legal case involving Australian women suing Qatar Airways over invasive body searches at Doha airport. He discusses the emotional toll of these experiences and the significance of a federal court ruling allowing their lawsuit to proceed. The conversation delves into passenger rights under the Montreal Convention, the complexities of navigating legal battles in Qatar, and the intersection of human rights and climate change accountability in international law.

As the International Court of Justice prepares to deliver a long-awaited climate advisory opinion, the Law Report explores the Federal Court ruling that Australia's government does not have a legal responsibility to protect Torres Strait islands from the impacts of climate change. And Denmark is planning to give citizens copyright protection over their face and voice.

Angela Webster, a transplant physician and epidemiology professor, discusses how the medical definition of death in Australia lags behind modern science. Dominique Martin, an ethics expert, voices concerns over financial incentives for organ donation, while Megan Taves, a health law academic, delves into the tricky legal definitions surrounding human tissue. The conversation highlights the pressing need for legislative updates to enhance organ donation practices and address ethical issues, such as transplant tourism and the regulation of human milk.