CrimNet

5 July 2023

Institute member, Dr. Justin Ellis, is the Editor-in-chief of Current Issues in Criminal Justice. 

Current Issues in Criminal Justice has attained a Q1 ranking in the 2022 CiteScore. This positions the journal at 151/885 in the law category.  

Current Issues in Criminal Justice is Australia’s leading peer-reviewed journal on criminal justice with a focus on criminology and criminal law. First published in 1989, the journal has been informing critical debate on criminal justice issues in Australia and internationally for over three decades, and continues to provide detailed analysis of local, regional and global issues from outstanding academic contributors. 

‘For over 30 years Current Issues in Criminal Justice has been at the forefront of research and debate about crime and criminal justice in Australia and beyond’ said Dr Justin Ellis, Editor-in-chief. ‘I would like to thank the Institute of Criminology, editorial board members past and present, and the Paul Byrne Memorial Fund, who support the publishing of the journal. The journal really is a group effort built and sustained over decades, so thank you to everyone who has contributed to the journal making a difference, and here’s to its future success’.  

The journal takes submissions on a rolling basis. Please contact Dr Justin Ellis, Editor-in-chief if you have any questions about submissions or expressions of interest for special issue topics.

More here on the journal and its aims and scope. See the latest issue here.

Current Issues in Criminal Justice is published in partnership with Taylor and Francis.  

Kathleen Folbigg and the fragility of the criminal justice system

Sydney Institute of Criminology has called for the establishment of a Criminal Cases Review Commission in Australia. The institute has written to Attorneys General and other political leaders. A list of people and institutions that have indicated their support is mentioned on the Sydney Institute of Criminology website. To read the letter and the list of signatories. See here.

Institute member, Professor David Hamer commented in the media saying that, 'although the Folbigg case is particularly tragic, it is not unprecedented.' He notes that in the last decade there have been at least four different cases around Australia where convicted people were acquitted in retrial or on appeal after serving decades in prison. 

Institute Co-Director, Dr. Andrew Dyer made a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee's Review of Post-Sentence Terrorism Orders: Division 105A of the Criminal Code Act 1995. The submission has been published on the Inquiry's website. See here.

Institute Co-Deputy Director, Dr. Allan McCay made a submission to The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, on behalf of the members of Minding Rights. The submission urges consideration of emerging challenges from neurotechnology in relation to the introduction of a Federal Human Rights Act. See here.

Is Australia ready for future mind-reading technologies? 

Institute Deputy Director, Dr. Allan McCay is calling for neurotechnology to be on the agenda for legal scholars, law reform bodies, human rights organisations and ultimately parliaments in Australia. Learn more here.

The neural democratisation of AI

How will developments in neurotechnology affect neuroscience and future development of AI? Will they disrupt Open AI and Google's AI lead and create a dangerous regulatory headache? Dr.McCay has co-written an article addressing these questions. Read here.

Is Sydney in the grip of a crime wave? The facts are surprising

Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sydney’s crime rate quoting Institute member, Associate Professor Garner Clancy. Read here.

What can New South Wales learn from the standalone human rights legislation already introduced in Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, as well as current developments at the federal level? How would a NSW Human Rights Act work to improve the development of policy and legislation and the delivery of government services? What are the benefits of parliamentarians leading a community-wide conversation about a Human Rights Act for NSW? 

Institute member, Nicholas Cowdery AO KC, has been invited to speak at a panel discussion, on the topic, 'A Human Rights Act for NSW: What is it and why do we need one?' on 12 July, 6:00 PM onwards. The event is hosted by The NSW Society of Labor Lawyers, New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties and Australian Lawyers for Human Rights to explore the benefits of a legislated human rights framework for New South Wales. Register here. 

Professor Arlie Loughnan is a Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Law Theory at the University of Sydney Law School. She is a member of Sydney Institute of Criminology. 

Her research concerns criminal law and the criminal justice system. Her particular interests are constructions of criminal responsibility and non-responsibility, the interaction of legal and expert medical knowledges and the historical development of the criminal law. 

Professor Loughnan has authored and co-authored several criminal law books which are widely used in educational institutions. 

Professor Loughnan authored an opinion piece about how the Kathleen Folbigg case demonstrates the devastating consequences of society's quick judgement of women it deems as failures. Read it here.

The 2023/24 Criminal Law CPD Series, presented by the Sydney Institute of Criminology, is an innovative educational program made up of 8 recorded webinars.

Our series covers a wide range of criminal law topics, including criminal procedure, evidence law, and criminal advocacy. Led by experienced legal professionals, our webinars are designed to help you stay up to date with the latest developments in criminal law and earn your mandatory CPD points.

A new webinar will be released each month from April to November and will include a quiz to test your comprehension of the material being discussed.  

Register now for the full series or individual webinars and enjoy the flexibility of watching at your own pace from any location at any time.  

Information for lawyers and barristers
If this educational activity is relevant to your professional development and practice of the law, then you should claim 1.5 MCLE/CPD points per seminar attended.

Practitioners are advised to check with the CPD governing body in their jurisdiction for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Find out about interstate accreditation.

Cost: Full series (8 x webinars) = $300 
Individual webinar(s) = $50

Non-consensual sexual offence law reform in Western Australia

Substantive Law 

Dr Andrew Dyer -  Available now

The Attorney-General of Western Australia has asked that State’s Law Reform Commission to review Western Australia’s sexual offence laws. In December 2022, the Commission published a Discussion Paper that deals with the law relating to sexual consent and the operation of honest and reasonable mistake of fact in non-consensual sexual offence proceedings. This seminar will consider the various reform options. 

Vulnerable witness advocacy

Practice Management and Business Skills, Ethics and professional responsibility

Philip Hogan -  Available now

This seminar will discuss the definition of a vulnerable witness in the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) and the provisions in the Act that allow for the use of pre-recorded evidence and provide for other alternative means of giving evidence. The seminar will particularly consider the way a complainant’s evidence is adduced in the Child Sexual Assault Program operating in some NSW courts. There will also be some discussion of Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) provisions that may be relevant to the evidence of a vulnerable witness. Finally, the seminar will cover relevant provisions of the Equality before the Law Bench Book and some findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. 

Digital vulnerability: Vulnerable individuals and remote access technologies in justice

Ethics and professional responsibility. Professional skills. Practice Management. 

Dr Carolyn McKay - Available now

This seminar will focus on the use of remote access technologies, such as audiovisual links, when working with vulnerable individuals in the justice system, and the developing concept of ‘digital vulnerability’. The seminar will draw on Dr McKay’s current Australian Research Council (‘ARC’) funded research and examine the multiple layers of vulnerability that individuals may experience while involved in legal matters. It will present preliminary findings from initial fieldwork interviews with lawyers and judicial officers that reveal critical perspectives on the impacts of digitalisation on vulnerable people in the justice system. While the research project and findings centre on the criminal justice system, many of the issues are equally relevant to legal practitioners working with vulnerable people in civil matters. 

Assessing witness credibility: Is it possible to tell whether someone is lying or telling the truth?

Substantive law. Professional skills.

Associate Professor Helen Paterson - Available 27 July 2023

Witness testimony can be extremely influential in legal investigations and trials; however, sometimes witnesses lie. Such deception can be detrimental to due process, and can result in miscarriages of justice. Thus, it is important for legal personnel and factfinders to be able to determine whether someone is lying or telling the truth. This interactive seminar will discuss research investigating behavioural and content indicators of deception. It will help legal practitioners understand the difficulties in discriminating liars from truth-tellers as well as the evidence base for various lie detection techniques. 

Should Deceptive Sex Always Be Rape? Dr Andrew Dyer - Substantive Law

The Role of the Crown Prosecutor in NSW Mr Brett Hatfield Practice - Management and Business Skills, Ethics and professional responsibility

The Reliability and Credibility of Eyewitnesses Associate Professor Helen Paterson - Substantive Law

Ethical Practice for Junior Criminal Law Barristers Ms Talitha Hennessy - Ethics and professional responsibility

Myths, Misconceptions and Mixed Messages: An Early Look at the New Tendency and Coincidence Evidence Provisions Professor David Hamer - Substantive Law

Advocacy in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal Mr John Stratton SC - Professional Skills

The Work of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Judge Paul Lakatos SC - Professional Skills

Algorithmic Justice Symposium - The Centre for Law and Social Justice, The University of Newcastle 

14 July 2023; 9:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 

The University of Newcastle is hosting an Algorithmic Justice Symposium on Friday 14 July at the University of Newcastle Sydney Campus at 55 Elizabeth Street (online options available). The University of Sydney's Emeritus Professor Terry Carney is delivering the keynote address.  

This symposium will reflect on the advances and challenges of algorithmic intervention in the broader context of justice innovation.

Webinar: 'Buzzwords: Growth Mindset'

18 July 2023; 12:00 PM 

Lawyers traditionally develop a fixed mindset throughout their training and practice, which can lead to being overly risk-averse, perfectionistic, and fearing failure. Professionals who adopt a growth mindset can better adapt to disruption and change by seeing it as an opportunity to grow. Register here. 

Legal Words for Interpreters and Bilingual Workers - Criminal Law Words; Legal Aid NSW

7 August 2023; 12:30 PM- 4:00 PM

In a face to face event, an experienced Legal Aid NSW criminal lawyer will explain some common and complex legal terminology in the area of criminal law. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

The target audience is interpreters and bilingual workers, especially those who are new to working in legal and court settings. However, any workers who support people in the community are welcome to join. Register here. 

Public Lecture: Reparative Encounters with Law: Navigating Emotions in LGBTIQ Rights and Reforms

Associate Professor Senthorun Raj, Manchester Metropolitan University

Date: Wednesday 19th July at 6.15pm-7.30pm, University of Melbourne Parkville Campus & Zoom 

Law reform debates about the rights of LGBTIQ people produce and crystallise emotions related to state regulation of sex, gender, and sexuality. In countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, emotions have been central to repairing the stigma, discrimination, and inequality faced by LGBTIQ people. See here for details. 

Director, Human Rights Team; Australian Human Rights Commission 

Applications close: 10 July 2023 

The Australian Government is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified people for appointment as the director of the Human Rights Team.  See here. 

Senior Lecturer in Law; University of Canberra 

Applications close: 9 July 2023

The University of Canberra is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to join their esteemed faculty as a Senior Lecturer. See here.

Senior Project Officer; Australian National University 

Applications close: 9 July 2023

ANU is seeking a Senior Project Officer to help drive the establishment of The Migration Hub.

The Migration Hub seeks to provide the Asia-Pacific region with a world-leading venue for research and informed debate regarding human migration and mobility. 

The Senior Project Officer will provide comprehensive project management support on a diverse range of administrative, engagement and research activities. They will work closely with Migration Hub Director Professor Alan Gamlen, and work as part of the Hub team. See here. 

Senior Researcher - The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW

Applications close: 17th July 2023

Are you an experienced social researcher, interested in applying your diverse range of skills to support access to justice for the people of NSW? The Foundation is an independent statutory body that addresses the legal needs of the community by creating, harnessing and sharing quality evidence. See here. 

Senior Policy Specialist (Institutional Corrections/Restrictive Housing); Community Resources for Justice 

Applications close: 12 July 2023 

CJI is seeking a Senior Policy Specialist to join their restrictive housing team to provide training and technical assistance to state and local correctional agencies to safely reduce the use of restrictive housing in prisons and jails. For more details, see here. 

NSW Women's Advisory Council 

Applications close: 12 July 2023 

The Council plays a key role in advancing gender equality in NSW by advising the NSW Government on issues affecting women and girls across the state.

The Minister for Women is currently seeking applications to appoint up to 12 members to the NSW Women’s Advisory Council, which plays a key role in advancing gender equality in NSW. See here. 

Solicitor in Charge - Legal Officer Grade VI at Tamworth; Legal Aid NSW

Applications close: 23 July 2023 

Legal Aid NSW is seeking an experienced solicitor who lead and supervise the solicitors and administrative team within the office, whilst maintaining a legal practice. See here. 

Law Clerkship Program; Department of Communities and Justice NSW

Applications close: 30 July 2023 

Department of Communities and Justice are seeking a law student studying in penultimate or final year of a law degree for their law clerkship program. See here. 

Investigator; Department of Education NSW

Applications close: 23 July 2023 

Are you a skilled investigator looking for a challenging and rewarding role? Department of Education is currently building a talent pool for future temporary and ongoing positions in the Professional and Ethical Standards (PES) Directorate. As an Investigator, you will play a crucial role in responding to allegations of misconduct and ensuring ethical standards are upheld within the organisation. See here. 

Correctional Officer; Correctional Service NSW

Applications close: 27 July 2023 

Are you passionate about keeping the community safe?

Correctional Officers play a positive role in keeping the community safe and helping offenders find ways to improve their lives. They supervise inmates being held in correction facilities such as prisons and court cells across New South Wales. See here.  

Professor, Criminology and Social Policy; University of Wollongong 

Applications close: 27 July 2023

The School of Health and Society is seeking to appoint a highly motivated, energetic academic leader to provide vision and leadership for the Discipline of Criminology and Social Policy within the School of Health and Society. For more details, see here. 

Research Fellow; University of Nottingham - Sociology & Social Policy

Applications close: 24 July 2023

University of Nottingham are looking for a motivated, highly qualified individual with a PhD in a relevant social science discipline who will join their research team to explore penal supervision in comparative contexts. For more details, see here.

Call for Papers & Invitation to conference; Policing, Rule of Law, Organised crime, and the Environment; International Police Executive Symposium

6 August - 11 August 2023

IPES has invited proposals for paper presentations, panels, posters/exhibits, or innovation showcases for their 32nd annual meeting.

All papers presented at the meeting will be considered for publication in a post-conference volume in IPES Book Series, Advances in Police Theory and Practice. In addition, IPES is also launching a peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Best Practice and Research in Policing. Conference papers may be submitted to the journal for publication consideration. For more details, see here. 

Call for Submission: Criminology Research Grants 2023; Australian Institute of Criminology 

Applications close by 25 July 2023 

The Australian Institute of Criminology encourages applications from organisations or collaborative teams with a demonstrated capacity to deliver high quality criminological research outcomes. 

Applicants are required to submit a detailed proposal for a criminological research project that will make a valuable contribution to knowledge and address policy-relevant needs in the area of crime and criminal justice.

For more details, see here. 

Call for Papers: Law and Society Association of Australia and New Zealand

Deadline for Submissions: 25 August 2023 

The Law and Society Association of Australia and New Zealand (LSAANZ) is inviting socio-legal scholars and others working at the intersections of law and society to submit panel and abstract proposals for its 2023 in-person conference: Voice, Resistance, and Repair: Law and living together. Find more details here.

Joe Graffam Equity Scholarship; Deakin University 

Application deadline: 13 July 2023 

Named in honour of Emeritus Professor Joe Graffam in recognition of his long service to Deakin as a teacher, researcher and leader, this scholarship is designed to support an undergraduate student with lived experience of the justice system who may otherwise not have the means to attend university. 

Advocacy program - The Law Institute of Victoria

The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) has partnered with the Honourable George Hampel AM KC to deliver a six-part workshop that provides practitioners with structured advocacy training. Suitable for practitioners of all experience levels and across all jurisdictions, the workshop is delivered in person at the LIV across six sessions.

Legal Aid NSW

A Podcast by Paul Coady, Caitlin Akthar and Sophie Anderson, with some special guests. Each episode will summarise 5 cases relevant to criminal lawyers in NSW.

In this episode Paul and Caitlin highlight the following cases:

BA v King [2023] HCA 14

PJ v R [2023] NSWCCA 105

Zheng v R [2023] NSWCCA 64

Lawrence v R [2023] NSWCCA 110

DPP v Rotumah [2022] VCC 1532

Refugee Service, Legal Aid NSW

To mark Refugee Week 2023, Legal Aid's Refugee Service has launched The Ribbon, a compelling children's book and legal educational resource about a refugee child migrating to Australia. The bilingual tale (available in Arabic, Dari, Burmese and Swahili) is a story of hope with one powerful message encouraging refugees to reach out for legal help.

Australian Institute of Criminology 

This is the first report in the Cybercrime in Australia series, which aims to provide a clearer picture of the extent of cybercrime victimisation, help-seeking and harms among Australian computer users. It is based on a survey of 13,887 computer users conducted in early 2023. 

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