NSW Parliament has passed laws abolishing ‘good character’ as a mitigating factor at sentencing across all criminal offences. The reforms cleared the Legislative Council on the night of Thursday 4 June 2026, as announced by the NSW Government on 5 June 2026. Once the changes commence, a person being sentenced will no longer be able […]
NSW to Abolish Good Character as a Sentencing Factor Read More »
NSW hate crime laws: In June 2026, the NSW Legislative Council passed the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2026, a significant rewrite of how NSW law handles hate-motivated offending. The legislation expands post-and-boast offences to cover assault and robbery, introduces a new offence for luring victims through dating apps. It also increases the maximum
NSW New Hate Crime Laws Passed After Dating App Attacks Read More »
Our client, Hannah Grundy, a Sydney woman targeted by AI-generated explicit images, has highlighted the urgent need for stronger legal protections against technology-facilitated abuse. The BBC recently reported on her distressing experience, in which a former friend, Andrew “Andy” Hayler, used artificial intelligence to create deepfake images of her and share them online without her
The Legal Battle Against AI-Generated Abuse: The Case of Hannah Grundy Read More »
Imagine summoning the courage to take your abuser to court, only to walk into the courtroom and find them sitting metres away from you, with no screen, no barrier, and no way to give your evidence safely. This is being reported in some regional NSW courts. Due to limited or no audio-visual link (AVL) technology
Some NSW Regional Courts Lack AVL for DV Survivors Read More »
If you have left, or are trying to leave, a domestic violence situation, one of your greatest fears may be that your former partner will come back. That living in your own home no longer feels safe. For years, NSW law contained a gap that made this fear worse. If a perpetrator had previously owned
NSW Domestic Violence Law Reform 2026: Breaking & Entering at a Former Home Read More »
The Hannah Thomas case has made headlines again after NSW Police asked for more time, again, to defend officers. Last week, our civil lawyer Anavi Arya appeared in the NSW Supreme Court as the state sought a further extension to prepare its defence, marking the second time police have requested additional time in this matter.
NSW Police Seek Second Extension In Hannah Thomas Civil Claim Read More »
From 1 March 2026, the way NSW courts assess criminal responsibility for children aged 10 to 13 has fundamentally changed. The doctrine of doli incapax, the presumption that a child in that age group is incapable of criminal intent, has now been codified in statute through significant amendments to section 5 of the Children (Criminal
In Sydney, drug possession charges are very serious. In this article, we list the most commonly asked questions about drug possession. Drug Possession In NSW: Who Is Asking? Based on experience and broader legal search data, the typical drug possession client is: A music festival attendee caught by a sniffer dog (MDMA, cocaine, cannabis) A young
Most Common Client Questions About Drug Possession In NSW Read More »
The right to protest has never been more contested in New South Wales. In the space of just three months, the NSW Government has passed significant new counter-terrorism legislation containing protest-related restrictions, police have clashed with demonstrators in the Sydney CBD, a constitutional challenge is now before the NSW Supreme Court, and a separate set
Jarrett v NSW: Protest Laws Challenged in Court Read More »
O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors offers free consultations for protesters affected by police action on February 9, 2026 Thousands of Australians exercised their democratic right to peaceful protest in Sydney yesterday, gathering to express their opposition to Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia. What began as a peaceful demonstration in Sydney’s CBD escalated into
Legal Support Available for Those Arrested or Assaulted at Sydney Protests February 2026 Read More »
