Articles
New federal whistleblower laws related to companies
Whistleblowing laws in Australia extend beyond the public sector. A range of new protections for whistleblowers has recently been introduced in respect of complaints made about corporate conduct in Australia.
Read more
How do I appeal my Magistrates Court conviction?
A person convicted of a criminal offence in the Queensland Magistrates Court has a right to appeal the court decision. There is no requirement to seek 'leave' or 'permission'.
Read more
Dealing with police search warrants - the do's and don'ts
Under Queensland law, the police can execute a search warrant upon private premises in circumstances where they have reasonable grounds to suspect that they will locate evidence of a criminal offence.
Read more
Character references in criminal proceedings
Providing your lawyer and the court with evidence of your otherwise good character can be crucial in criminal law sentencing proceedings. Significant weight can be placed on a character reference for court when determining the appropriate penalty to be imposed.
Read more
Workplace investigations involving criminal allegations
When allegations of misconduct in the workplace involve criminal behaviour, some different considerations arise compared to other workplace investigations.
Read more
Restorative justice conferencing (previously called justice mediation)
During criminal law proceedings, a restorative justice conference may be deemed appropriate, in order to provide the complainant an opportunity to tell their story and the defendant an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions.
Read more
The rights of employees under workplace investigation
If you are being investigated for alleged misconduct in the workplace, you have various rights that have to be met by your employer, and any investigator retained by your employer.
Read more
Revenge porn
The community is increasingly confronted with situations involving the creation and distribution of sexually-explicit content. In recognition of this, Queensland has now implemented legislative reform to combat the ever-growing problem commonly known as ‘revenge porn’.
Read more
Sex offenders’ reporting obligations
If you are convicted of a sexual offence against a child you will also be subject to reporting conditions. Offenders should familiarise themselves with their obligations under the Act, as failure to meet their obligations may lead to criminal charges, and possibly imprisonment.
Read more
6 tips for employers conducting workplace investigations
Allegations of workplace misconduct may involve suggestions of professional rule violations, workplace misbehaviour such as sexual harassment or misuse of resources, or even criminal conduct such as fraud or stealing.
Read more
What is unlawful striking causing death?
Unlawful striking causing death is a criminal offence that was introduced to Queensland’s Criminal Code in 2014. It is aimed at criminalising ‘coward punches’, particularly where such violence is alcohol fuelled. The offence also gets referred to as the ‘one punch law’.
Read more
Recovering your legal costs in criminal law matters
One of the first questions we’re often asked by new clients is ‘Will our legal costs be reimbursed if we win?’ A large percentage of the population is ineligible for Legal Aid funding. Being a defendant in the criminal justice system can, therefore...
Read more