Law Spot

	It's more than a game August 2001 Yet again the law has extended its long arm into our everyday lives. And although the dispute appears to concern the right of pregnant women to play netball, it's really about a lot more.
	Geoff Clark's media trial July 2001 Was it right to publish allegations against ATSIC Chair Geoff Clark, or is he the victim of trial by media. Check it out in this month's Lawspot.
	The McVeigh muddle June 2001 Timothy McVeigh is back in the news, but this time it's the prosecution that is the loser. It's time to take a hard look at capital punishment.
	Surviving Survivor May 2001 Survivor is finished, the outback adventurers are no longer, but some issues linger. Should you be able to sue the producers if you think it just wasn't "real" enough?
	Double jeopardy April 2001 Do the crime and do the time - but what if you do the crime and don't do the time? Should the prosecution be able to have another shot at you, even if you've been acquitted once already?
	Removed or stolen - thestory remains the same March 2001 Does it matter whether Aboriginal children were "removed" or "stolen" from their homes in decades past? According to a recent front page newspaper report, it makes all the difference in the world. We take a different view
	She loves me, he loves me not February 2001 Looking forward to a life of marital bliss? We don't want to pour cold water on your dreams, but maybe this is the time to look at a prenuptial agreement - or is it?
	U.S. election: Rule of law December 2000 It's hard to believe that Americans could make such a mess of their electoral process. We apply some basic Ausssie common sense to this debacle
	Steal a song November 2000 You wouldn't steal a CD from a shop, would you? How about the Napster revolution, where you can achieve the same result online with impunity. How tempting is that? Is it stealing?
	Siamese twins - a terrible choice October 2000 The lives of Siamese twins hang in the balance as the law struggles to find a resolution. We look at the Court's terrible choice - who will live and who will die?
	The IVF dilema September 2000 The front pages are full of indignation and joy at a Court's decision to make assisted conception and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) available to other than married or de facto heterosexual couples. Make up your own mind
	Genetic gymnastics August 2000 It's not all rosy in the Genome garden. A precautionary look at the potential abuses
	Crime does pay July 2000 A Supreme Court Judge aborts a murder retrial because of allegedly prejudicial information on an internet site. Can anyone get a fair trial in the age of the internet?
	Of life, sport & the Law June 2000 We're always hearing media allegations of misbehaviour, and in the sporting arena the umpires impose penalties for offences that do not withstand later investigations. What happened to the presumption of innocence? We ask the hard questions.
	DNA - Do Not Accept May 2000 A whole town agrees to be DNA tested in the pursuit of justice. Some of us wonder whether this is the right direction for a democratic society. We take a sober look at the issues.
	Gun control - an Austalian perspective April 2000 Another American child is dead because a friend, a child himself, gained access to a gun. Why do Americans allow so many guns to circulate, and why doesn't the law simply forbid the proliferation of these weapons. We take an Australian perspective.
	The truth about mandatory sentencing March 2000 Taking a sober look at mandatory sentencing and those who want to use it to their own ends.
	Y2K Okay February 2000 Was the Y2K bug a big legal con? Or is it just that we are all so frightened of landing in court for our every indiscretion? We take a hard look at the millennial aftermath.
	In defence of Microsoft December 1999 Microsoft is every computer user's whipping boy. We look at the law that has brought them undone - and yes, we jump to their defence!
	The truth about the Republic debate November 1999 The facts about the Republic debate, without the hysteria.
	War crimes in East Timor October 1999 How are war crimes dealt with by the international community? What justice awaits the victims of recent atrocities in East Timor?
	Televising Courts September 1999 The gavel drops, the judge cries 'action'. The cameras roll as we investigate the latest proposal to televise our courtrooms.
	Grisham v Gleeson August 1999 What is it that draws millions to popular legal culture? And what does it mean for online legal information providers?
	Who understands the law? July 1999 Having trouble getting a handle on the law? As you'll see in this month's Lawspot, you're not alone.
	Censorship on the net June 1999 The Federal Government has stepped into the online censorship debate with a provocative piece of legislation. All sides disagree - we take a long hard look at it all.
	HIV & footy - the umpire decides May 1999 A landmark case in the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal sets the standard for thinking about HIV, sport and discrimination. We take a detailed look at the real issues.
	The stolen generation stakes a claim April 1999 We're at the starting line of a case that may affect the way we look at ourselves and our history. The "stolen generation" has fired the first shot in a battle that may be as protracted as it is controversial.
	Clinton - a lawyer looks back March 1999 Now that we've heard from La Monica, let's look back at what really happened and what they should have done - from an Australian point of view.
	Juries - are we all agreed? February 1999 There is a movement towards the acceptance of majority verdicts in serious criminal cases. Is this the way we want to be judged by our peers? Is it time to take a closer look at the jury system? We examine the issues.

	Domaszewicz – the law on trial January 1999 Gregory Domaszewicz is not guilty of the murder of 14 month old Jaidyn Leskie. In conversations around a thousand water coolers, people question whether justice was done. In this month’s Lawspot we examine the evidence and draw some conclusions of our own.
	Pinochet's judgement day December 1998 The House of Lords has handed down its judgement on the extradition of the former Chilean leader, General Augusta Pinochet. How did it happen and what does it all mean?
	Defamation - sticks and stones November 1998 The Abbott and Costello case has all the makings of one of the most notorious court cases in recent times. But what does it all mean, and what does the law offer a person who claims to have been injured by way of the printed page? Get all the information you need right here.
	Gas Crisis - to the law we go October 1998 An explosion in gas plant in rural Victoria causes widespread disruptions in the Australian economy and a rude awakening to cold showers. What legal remedies are available?
	Clinton's law September 1998 Clinton's in hot water again. How did it get this far? Who is to blame? And what kind of legal system allows a faithless friend to secretly tape intimate conversations in order to prosecute a President? This Lawspot Special Report untangles the legal web. We also provide a link to the Starr report.
	Life from death August 1998 A Canberra woman asks the court to take sperm from her deceased husband. She succeeds - but where to from here?
	Protecting privacy online July 1998 Worried about Big Brother? Victoria goes it alone in proposing legislation to protect your privacy, whether it's credit details online or intimate personal information held by a government agency. And you can have your say as well.
	Not copping it June 1998 A female police officer brings an action for sex discrimination against the Victorian Police. What can you do if you believe you have been sexually harassed or suffered discrimination?
	Blood transfusion confusion May 1998 Who can refuse medical treatment and when is consent required? What about when it's a matter of life and death? A recent incident involving a Jehovah's Witnesses required an examination of these issues.
	Guilty...or not? March 1998 Two recent court cases highlight the vagaries of the criminal law. Can you be guilty of a crime committed by another person, or even your pet dogs? And can women be excused of murder after years of spousal abuse?
	The court strikes back February 1998 The Attorney-General takes a swipe at outspoken judges. Should judges be allowed to have their say? Should the politicians protect the good name of the courts? Who's right, who's wrong? Read on.
	Microsoft vs. the world January 1998 Has Bill Gates met his match in U.S. Attorney-General Janet Reno, and the might of the Department of Justice? Is it time for Microsoft to be brought down a peg or two, or will this giant of cyberspace triumph yet again? Stay tuned.
	Father’s day at the Family Court October 1997 The Family Court revisits the rights of children to live near both divorced parents – can a mother take her children to live overseas against the wishes of the father.
	The drunk defence October 1997 You get so drunk you don’t know you’ve committed a crime – does that mean you’re not guilty of the crime? Believe it or not, you might just get away with it!
	Jury finds Oklahoma bomber guilty October 1997 An American veteran of Desert Storm starts a war of his own with devastating consequences. Now it’s the jury’s turn to take command
	High Court rules on state taxes September 1997 It’s a bad day at the office for State Governments when the High Court rules against their favourite taxes. How did it come to this?
	The dating game September 1997 It’s a harsh world on the dating circuit, where looks and charm often count for more than we would like. But are we all equal before the law?
	Death in Saudi September 1997 An Australian nurse dies in grisly circumstance in the Middle East. Claims and counter claims fly as a different style of justice is put on trial.
	States want changes at the High Court September 1997 Some State Premiers are none too happy with the High Court. Is it too interventionist? Do we need a spot of constitutional surgery? Who really makes the laws in this country?
	Mabo & Wik – will they stick? August 1997 It’s been the main game on the talkback lines for a long time now, but do we really understand the issues raised by Wik and Mabo? A short tour through a minefield.
	The right to silence August 1997 To speak or not to speak, that is the question. What is the right to silence, and why do some of our politicians think its time has come?
	Family Court decides where children live August 1997 Should a divorced parent with custody be allowed to take a child interstate if it will be difficult for the other parent to remain in touch? The Family Court decides.
	O.J. – is he okay? July 1997 If media space counts for anything, it’s the crime of the decade. A football hero turns murder defendant – he gets away with it, but doubts remain.