NSW Bans LGBTQ+ Conversion Practices: On 4 April 2025, NSW took a major step forward in protecting LGBTQ+ rights. The Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 is now in effect. This new law officially bans practices that try to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s a big win for equality, human dignity, […]
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Domestic violence continues to be a serious issue in Australia. In response, the NSW Government has introduced major reforms to strengthen legal protections for victim-survivors and hold offenders more accountable. The new NSW Domestic Violence Reforms came into effect in April 2025, and are a vital step forward in the justice system. At O’Brien Criminal
NSW Domestic Violence Reforms 2025: What You Need to Know Read More »
Fighting for Justice Against Anti-Protest Laws: Welcome to March’s edition of Fighting for Justice! And a big hello to all our new subscribers! Last month, we saw the biggest growth in our newsletter, so thank you to everyone who passed this email along to a friend! March has been a month of action and advocacy!
Fighting for Justice: Supreme Court Constitutional Challenge Read More »
Australia is stepping up its fight against hate crimes. Following a rise in hate-motivated incidents, particularly antisemitic attacks, both the Australian Federal Government and the New South Wales (NSW) Government have introduced major changes to hate crime laws. These updates aim to provide stronger protections for vulnerable groups and enforce harsher penalties for offenders. The
Could AI be held legally responsible for defamation? A US man is putting that question to the test. In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, one case out of the United States is making waves and raising alarm bells. A man named Mark Walters has filed a defamation lawsuit against OpenAI, the creators of
Can You Sue ChatGPT for Defamation? Man Sues OpenAI For Saying He Killed Children Read More »
The NSW Government’s new anti-protest law, the Crimes Amendment (Places of Worship) Bill 2025, has sparked fierce debate about civil liberties and democracy. This controversial law gives police expanded “move-on” powers, allowing them to shut down protests near places of worship. Critics argue that it’s an unprecedented attack on free speech, with far-reaching consequences for
NSW’s Latest Anti-Protest Law: A Threat to Democracy? Read More »
We have taken a stand against the NSW Government’s latest attempt to stifle public protest. On behalf of our client, Joshua Lees, an activist with the Palestine Action Group (PAG), we have launched a constitutional challenge against the Crimes Amendment (Places of Worship) Bill 2025 to protect the right to protest. This law, rushed through
In Australia, criminal charges are categorised into two main types: indictable and summary offences. Understanding these classifications is crucial if you are facing criminal charges, as they significantly impact the severity of penalties and long-term consequences. Without further ado, let’s get into it! Defining Summary Offences in Australia Summary offences are for less severe crimes
New Sexual Violence Case Management Protocols and the Blue Card System Inquiry: Queensland has taken major steps to improve its justice system. Recently, two significant initiatives were introduced: the Sexual Violence Case Management Pilot in the District Court and an inquiry into the Blue Card Child Protection system. These new sexual assault updates in Queensland
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Private Electronic Monitoring for Bail in NSW: As of March 2025, the New South Wales Government has announced a significant policy shift: the ban on private electronic monitoring for individuals on bail. The decision reflects growing concerns about the limitations of the justice system’s ability to oversee private providers and the risks posed by these
Ban on Private Electronic Monitoring for Bail in NSW Read More »
