Jury trial is about involving the community in the process of determining guilt or innocence. So why did a UK court prohibit a woman in a veil from fulfilling her civic duty, asks Dr Fergal Davis.
Australian advocates of a Bill of Rights might want to consider a recent court judgment from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, law academic Fergal Davis warns.
With the number of unanimous decisions made by the High Court nosediving, Justice Dyson Heydon has emerged as the Court’s new great dissenter, a new report shows.
Change to the Australian Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is more than mere symbolism. It will demonstrably counteract Indigenous disadvantage, argues Paul Kildea.
OPINION: The Gillard government has achieved remarkable success steering legislation through a hung parliament. But the coming year may see opponents shift the battle to the High Court, writes Professor George Williams in the SMH.
OPINION: People smugglers have a reputation almost as low as paedophiles and terrorists. Australians may not like them but this does not excuse unjust laws, writes Professor George Williams in the SMH.
