This study examined the risk of re-offending of those who received an intensive correction order, relative to those who received periodic detention and suspended sentences with supervision. Method: Details of offenders’ demographic and offence characteristics, prior convictions and penalties received, and re-offences were extracted from the Re-offending Database maintained by the NSW Bureau of Crime...

This article argues that direct cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses should be removed from Australian trials, to reduce any illegitimate advantage to the defendant.

A number of barriers that prevent people from resolving civil disputes in a timely and affordable way should be removed, according to this draft report, which invites submissions from the public. Key points: There are widespread concerns that Australia's civil justice system is too slow, too expensive and too adversarial. But the notion of a...

Abstract: Reforms have been underway over the last three decades to address the disadvantages that victim/survivors of sexual assault face within the criminal justice system in Australia. Such reforms include expansion of advocate services, specialisation of police, alternative provisions for giving evidence at trial, and changes to jury instructions. This report was commissioned to examine...

Over a third of court cases finalised during 2012-13 were for traffic offences, finds this report on the characteristics and outcomes of finalised defendants and the sentence outcomes associated with those proven guilty.