The VLRC's podcast, 'Old Law, New Law' is a discussion of issues in law reform, focussing on the Commission's current and recent inquiries.
All episodes can be accessed below, and from the VLRC podcast page on Podbean.
Episode 7: Interview with Professor Ron McCallum on inclusive juries (December 2020)
Nick and Gemma talk to Professor Ron McCallum AO, Professor of Law at Sydney Law School and the first totally blind person appointed to a university Chair in Australia, about the VLRC's inquiry into how to assist people who are blind, have low vision, deaf or hard of hearing to serve on juries in Victoria. They are joined by Chair of the VLRC the Hon. Tony North and team leader Emma Cashen.
Episode 6: The Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences (November 2020)
In this episode we talk to the team working on the VLRC's current inquiry, Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences. The topics covered include: barriers to reporting sexual offences, alternative ways of reporting, specialist courts, and restorative justice.
Episode 5: Contempt of Court - What has the VLRC recommended? (September 2020)
An interview with the Chair of the VLRC, the Hon. Tony North, about why the VLRC has recommended that the laws of contempt of court should be clarified in legislation.
Episode 4: Neighbourhood Tree Disputes. (April 2020).
Disputes between neighbours about trees are common. They may involve dangerous branches, roots that damage property, or even poison. The law in this area is complex and difficult to find, while it is not clear to people how they can resolve their disputes without expensive and stressful legal action. That's why the VLRC recently completed a report on the law of neighbourhood tree disputes, recommending a new Act to help people resolve their problems. In this episode Nick and Gemma talk to Emma Cashen, team leader of the tree disputes inquiry, and Natalie Lilford, the Commission's community law reform manager.
Episode 3: Community Law Reform (December 2019).
One of the Victorian Law Reform Commission's functions is to examine, report and make recommendations to the Attorney-General on any matter the Commission considers of general community concern. These Community Law Reform projects, which are separate from those initiated by the Attorney-General, deal with relatively minor issues which, nevertheless, deeply affect the lives of Victorians. They exemplify the Commission's commitment to community consultation and the idea that law reform best comes out of the day-to-day experience of ordinary people. Discussing the importance of our Community Law Reform program is program manager Natalie Lilford and Chair of the Commission, the Hon. Anthony North QC.
Episode 2: Committals (September 2019).
By the time those accused of serious crime have their day in court, they have already undergone a pretrial process. Committal proceedings can involve court appearances, pleas, presentation of evidence and witness testimony. What is the point of all this pre-amble? Does it speed up the course of justice or bog it down? In this episode we look at the committal process in Victoria and why it might be in need of reform. Nick and Gemma discuss the key issues with Michael McKiterick, leader of the VLRC team looking into committals, and Senior Research and Policy Officer Briana Proud.
Episode 1: Contempt of Court (July 2019).
Contempt of court' can include everything from blowing bubblegum in court to publishing suppressed information. But what actually is it, and does the law need to be reformed? Nick Gadd and Gemma Walsh speak with Anna Beesley and Helen Donovan, and Bruce Gardner, Acting Chair of the VLRC. They discuss scandalising the court, contempt in the face of the court, juror contempt, publication contempt, disobedience contempt, and whether a bubblegum bubble might send you to jail.