Contempt of Court: Consultation Paper (html)

11. Conclusion

11.1 This consultation paper discusses a range of issues to assist the Victorian Law Reform Commission in considering whether and how the law of contempt of court, the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act 1958 (Vic) and the legal framework for enforcement of prohibitions or restrictions on the publication of information should be reformed to ensure the proper administration of justice in the modern internet era.

11.2 This consultation paper sets out options for reform and poses questions for consideration.

11.3 This consultation paper does not represent concluded views on the matters raised by the terms of reference. Those conclusions will be stated in the Commission’s report, to be delivered to the Attorney-General by 31 December 2019.

11.4 The Commission welcomes submissions from all parts of the community. It particularly invites submissions from victims of crime, persons affected, professionals, other stakeholders and members of the community who have had direct experience of the law of contempt of court, the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act 1958 (Vic) and the legal framework for enforcement of prohibitions or restrictions on the publication of information.

11.5 You can provide input into the Commission’s review by responding to the specific questions posed throughout the paper. These questions are also included at the front of this paper. You may choose to answer some, but not all questions. Alternatively, you may wish to provide a response that does not address individual questions posed throughout the paper, but nonetheless relates to the issues outlined in the terms of reference.

11.6 To allow the Commission time to consider your views before deciding on final recommendations, submissions are due by 28 June 2019.

11.7 Your responses to these questions will assist the Commission in determining what changes are required to the law to improve its operation and to better ensure the proper administration of justice.