Useful Legal Studies website links
Video - Reasons for a court hierarchy
This video looks at reasons for a court hierarchy: specialisation, doctrine of precedent, appeals and administrative efficiency.
>> View video
“Family Violence Law Help” Website
Family Violence Law Help is a national website for people wanting to understand domestic and family violence, the law and where to get help. It can be used by people affected by domestic and family violence, educators and frontline workers.
Family Violence Law Help has free, easy to understand information about:
- Domestic and family violence
- Family law
- Child Protection law
- Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders
- Where to get help
The website can be translated into different languages and has useful factsheets that can be downloaded or printed. It uses illustrations throughout to help with readability. It also has information about the Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS), who provide free legal and social support to people affected by domestic and family violence.
For a tour of the website, you can watch this short video or have a look yourself at www.familyviolencelaw.gov.au.
Family Violence Law Help was developed by Legal Aid NSW on behalf of National Legal Aid. The project has been funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department.
When is a Person Eligible for a Judge-Alone Trial in NSW?
>> Read the article here
Parliamentary Education Office – Video Conferencing Program
Connect with parliamentary experts through Parliamentary Insider — the PEO’s video conference program.
Parliamentary Insider brings Parliament into your classroom. Students speak with experts and explore how Parliament works to make Australia a better place to live.
Your rights when approached by police in NSW
Information about rights when approached by police, arrest rights and interview rights.
>> View here
“When Separating” videos for Option 3: Family – Responses to problems in family relationships
There are 8 videos in the When Separating series, which use a mix of drama-driven stories and documentary-style features. The videos cover issues about children, property and finances, family violence, and resolving disputes. Each video in When Separating focuses on a different aspect that can be involved with separation, including information about what Family Dispute Resolution and legal services are available.
>> View here
“Rule of law” videos
Useful videos to teach about the “rule of law”. Videos include:
- Rule of law – Introduction
- Independent judges
- Bribing government officials
- Freedom of the press/censorship
- Prison
- Corrupt lawyer
- Gagged
- Discrimination
>> View here
Rule of Law Institute of Australia videos
Video 1 – The Rule of Law
>> View video
Video 2 – Torts
>> View video
Video 3 – Human Rights
>> View video
Video 4 – Dispute Resolution
>> View video
Video 5 – Delegated Legislation
>> View video
Video 6 – Dispute Resolution with the State
>> View video
Film – “How Australia Came To Be”
The Australian Constitution Centre film “The Journey: How Australia Came To Be” explores the foundation principles of the Constitution.
The film is set in 1901 and two children, Matilda and Banjo, are on their way to the Federation party at Centennial Park. All the different colonies in Australia have agreed to come together as one country and it’s very exciting. One country, one set of rules, one people. We are all united under something called the Constitution. Matilda and Banjo explain why democracy, the rule of law, separation of powers, federalism, nationhood and rights are the foundation principles of our Constitution.
>> View here
Crime stories from television program “A Current Affair” (Channel 9)
Victims fighting for justice (Year: 2017)
There’s a call for a complete overhaul of the justice system, with harsher sentences for criminals and more support for their victims.
>> View here
Don’t deport killer wife (Year: 2017)
Eileen and David Creamer’s marriage ended with Eileen killing her abusive husband in self-defence. Eileen was an immigrant woman. An immigrant who is sentenced to a prison term of 12 months or more has their visa automatically cancelled. Is deportation fair? When an immigrant woman kills her husband in self defence, should she be deported?
>> View here
Drug Court (Year: 2016)
The Drug Court of NSW is a specialist court that sits in Parramatta, Toronto and Sydney in NSW, Australia. It takes referrals from the Local and District Courts of offenders who are dependent on drugs and who are eligible for a Drug Court program.
>> View here
Videos – Juries
Welcome to Jury Service
This video explain the jury process in NSW and highlights the need for prospective jurors to inform the court if they have concerns about serving on a trial.
>> View here
Should we abolish juries?
A panel discussion from the Channel 10 television program, “Studio 10”, on the topic of juries.
>> View here
Videos for Self Represented Litigants
These videos show people how to represent themselves in court:
- Finding your courtroom
- Asking for an adjournment
- Pleading guilty
- Pleading not guilty
- Presenting your case at a defended hearing:
– The hearing: The prosecution evidence
– The hearing: Cross-examining a witness
– The hearing: Giving evidence
– The hearing: Questioning your witnesses
– The hearing: Making submissions
>> View here.
See a NSW Government Media Release titled “Videos Get Self-represented Litigants Ready for Court” – 12 February 2014 about the videos here.
Express Rights in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia defines and protects rights in two different ways: through express rights and through implied rights. Express rights are sometimes called specific rights or entrenched rights. As the name suggests, express rights are clearly expressed or outlined in the text of the Constitution. They are clear, concrete and can only be removed by changing the wording of the Constitution. Implied rights, as their name suggests, are not clearly expressed in the words of the Constitution, however are nevertheless suggested or inferred by them. While express constitutional rights are apparent to everyone, implied rights are derived from the rulings and constitutional interpretation of the High Court.
There are five express rights contained in the Constitution. The information sheet below covers these five express rights.
>> View here
Resource Sheet – “What is child abuse and neglect?”
The Resource Sheet – “What is child absue and neglect?” (from the The Australian Government – Australian Institute of Family Studies – Child Family Community Australia – September 2015) can be used when teaching the HSC Legal Studies Family topic (care and protection of children).
>> View here
Interview with Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen SC
Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen SC is interviewed about the crime of sexual assault, consent and juries on “Mark Latham’s Outsiders” (16 August 2017). The interview with Margaret Cunneen starts at 44 minutes and 53 seconds on the video.
>> View here
Video – Wesley Impact! TV Interview with a victim of crime – Louisa Hope, Sydney Lindt Café siege survivor
Louisa Hope walked into the Lindt Café to meet her mother for a coffee. As they were having their drinks, a gunman walked in and from that point on Louisa’s life would never be the same. Since then, Louisa has forgiven the gunman and started a foundation called the Louisa Hope Fund for Nurses at Prince of Wales hospital.
>> View here
Teaching the Consumers Option in HSC Legal Studies? Do you need information on the latest national credit legislation?
There is a useful section on ASIC’S Moneysmart website – “Consumer credit regulation”.
There is also information on the latest credit legislation in “Hot Topics 72 (2010) – Consumer Credit“.
Videos – How laws are made
How Laws are Made, presented as two 10-minute films: Parliament and Courts, provides an overview of where Australian laws come from and how new laws are made. It is aimed at non-lawyers including public librarians, the education sector and legal assistance agencies.
>> View here
Video – Justice Journey – Information for victims of crime about going to court in NSW
This video has been developed to assist victims of crime navigate the criminal justice system in NSW. It follows three victims of crime as they report the crime, give evidence in the Local, District and Supreme Courts, through to the final decision of the court and sentencing of the offender. It includes the following sections:
– Introduction
– Before you get to court
– Overview of the court system
– The Local Court
– Preparing for the hearing
– In the courtroom
– Your time at court
– Giving evidence
– The verdict
– Sentencing
>> View here
Bail learning material
Fact Sheet
>> Fact sheet on bail produced by The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre.
Videos
- “How can I get bail?”
- “Which offences have a right to release?”
- “What happens if bail is refused?”
- “What happens if I can’t comply with a bail condition?”
>> Watch the videos here.
Bail cases
>> View the document – “2015 Bail Decisions in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Court of Criminal Appeal” here.
>> View “Recent related cases” here.
Academic and Professional Speakers in Schools
Academics and professionals from Western Sydney University are available to speak in schools or to school groups free of charge. Many are leaders in their fields. This program gives teachers opportunities to extend and enhance their students’ learning and educational aspirations, whilst increasing their own knowledge.
Check out the register for information on each speaker’s area of expertise, sample topics, suggested audiences and estimated presentation times.
>> To book a speaker download this form or book online
If you have any questions about the program, please email schoolsengagement@westernsydney.edu.au. Do NOT contact the speakers directly. This helps Western Sydney University effectively organise and track use of the register.
