Law Report

The High Court has found that it is not possible to find the Catholic Church 'vicariously liable' for the actions of molesting priests because they are not legally speaking employees. And Victorian drivers with medicinal cannabis in their system will no longer automatically lose their licence.

What does Donald Trump's election victory mean for his legal problems? And the case of a daughter who sued her father for sharing their private conversations. 

What's it like to have the responsibility to decide if a serious violent offender should be released from prison and allowed back into the community?

Two unfair dismissal cases highlight a changing workplace.  A Philippines based legal assistant has just won the right to bring an unfair dismissal case against her former employer. And the case of the stevedore with a medicinal cannabis prescription.

In his first media interview, Administrative Review Tribunal President Justice Emilios Kyrou outlines some of his new powers. They include the ability to order the publication of low level, routine decisions, which may reveal systemic bureaucratic failures such as the Robodebt disaster.

Armin Alimadani, a lecturer who tested AI against law students, and Catherine Terry, a lawyer leading the inquiry into AI's courtroom role, discuss pivotal issues surrounding AI and the law. They explore the unsettling implications of AI misinformation in legal settings. Their conversation delves into the surprising performance of AI in law exams and its ramifications for legal education. They also uncover challenges like algorithmic bias in sentencing and the need for transparency in AI's judicial applications. The future of legal accountability is at stake!

How do tenancy tribunals balance the competing needs of tenants and landlords? And why is Victoria - from a tenants' perspective - ahead of the pack? 

To what extent should employers be able to restrict employees from expressing their views and opinions in public?

Mexico is making headlines by allowing voters to elect all 7,000 judges, a bold first for any country. The podcast dives into the potential impact on the justice system, comparing it to the U.S. model. It discusses the electoral surge of a left-wing party aimed at reforming corruption and equity. Key challenges include the risk of organized crime influencing elections and the threats to judicial independence. Concerns about politicization and systemic failures add layers to this ambitious reform, prompting essential questions about the future of justice in Mexico.

The podcast delves into the critical functions of juries in the justice system and the pressures they face from employers. It highlights a notable case of juror intimidation, stressing the need for protective measures. Misconduct among jurors threatens trial integrity, with discussions of unauthorized research and confidentiality breaches. Additionally, it explores the evolving role of sheriff's officers in court security, including dramatic incidents that underscore the importance of training and body cameras in law enforcement.