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The latest issue of the Australian Law Journal (Volume 96 Part 5) contains the following material:

CURRENT ISSUES – Editor: Justice François Kunc

  • Briefly Noted
  • War on the European Continent
  • The Russian Invasion of Ukraine in International Law
  • The Curated Page

Click here to access on New Westlaw

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – Editor: Anne Twomey

  • Contempt Convictions and Membership of Parliament

Click here to access on New Westlaw

ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME – Editor: Dr Damien J Cremean

  • Perilous Ports

Click here to access on New Westlaw

FAMILY LAW – Editor: Richard Ingleby

  • Anshun Estoppel in Family Law

Click here to access on New Westlaw

Articles

Against Jury Comparisons – Gary Edmond

This article explains why jurors should not be invited, or allowed, to identify persons in crime-related images and sound recordings. It draws directly on scientific research, never seriously considered by Australian courts, which shows that ordinary people are unexpectedly error-prone at face and voice comparisons. The article rejects the longstanding legal commitment to the identification of unfamiliar persons in images and voice recordings being commonplace – that is resembling our everyday social interactions. It also explains how accusatorial trials generate cognitive biases (eg through expectation, suggestion and confirmation) that irreparably contaminate juror perception and cognition. Scientific research indicates that jurors are likely to identify the defendant even when the defendant does not feature in the images or recording. The article also explains why investigators (eg police and translators) should not be allowed to express their biased and inexpert opinions in criminal proceedings. For, investigators are vulnerable to many of the same risks confronting jurors (and judges and appellate courts).

Click here to access article on New Westlaw

Rethinking Lawyer Immunity – Nicholas Saady and Professor Tania Sourdin

For many years, the Australian advocate immunity doctrine has prevented barristers and solicitor-advocates from being civilly sued in relation to their acts or omissions which are connected to court litigation or a court’s determination of a case. The immunity doctrine has been recently criticised in Australia, and abandoned or modified in other common law jurisdictions. This article examines the nature, scope and application of the immunity doctrine in Australia, particularly in mediation. It then compares the Australian position to that in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. It also provides guidance to lawyers about dealing with the application of the immunity in practice, and proposes potential areas of reform to the current Australian law surrounding the immunity.

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BOOK REVIEWS – Editor: Angelina Gomez

  • A Legal History for Australia, by Sarah McKibbin, Libby Connors and Marcus Harmes
  • International and Australian Commercial Arbitration, by Clyde Croft, Drossos Stamboulakis and Marilyn Warren

Click here to access on New Westlaw

For the PDF version of the table of contents, click here: Westlaw AU – ALJ Vol 96 No 5 Contents or here: New Westlaw Australia – ALJ Vol 96 No 5 Contents.

Click here to access this Part on Westlaw AU

Click here to access this Part on New Westlaw AU

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