The Australian Open is finished and the public can now move forward into “After the Tennis” mode. If Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have been occupying the bulk of your time this week, you may have missed some of the law movers and shakers hitting the news this week.
Never fear!
The Survive Law team is here with your monthly round-up of everything legal related.
1. New US visa laws 'discriminatory' against dual citizens
Considering a visit to the States? The United States has tightened it’s ESTA visa requirements. The ESTA Visa Waver Program, which includes Australian citizens, is now unavailable to those who have visited certain countries after the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011. The new laws have been called discriminatory and are a number of measures taken by the government in the wake of the Paris attacks. See more at SBS.
2. Sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick criticises 'legal rape' advocate
'Return of Kings' founder and advocate of 'legal rape', Daryush "Roosh" Valizadeh, is the subject of nationwide controversy ahead of his planned trip to Australia. Should Australian officials take the same approach here as they did with Julien Blanc and Chris Brown and cancel Valizadeh's visa? Read more at the Sydney Morning Herald.
3. Bizarre laws still on WA's books
Feel like challenging someone to a duel? How about keep dirty laundry where food is prepared? Unfortunately, you could be subject to criminal prosecution in Western Australia. Professor Tomas Fitzgerald, a senior lecturer at the University of Notre Dame, has highlighted some of the most ‘bizarre’ laws still on the WA books. Including the fact that a judge may be required to asses a woman’s potential for remarriage when claiming compensation. We at Survive Law, like the High Court justices in the case, do not endorse this interpretation! See more at The West Australian.
4. Rewiring the law: Wellness for forum pushes for cultural change
Feeling stressed lately? You’re not alone. A landmark study has shown that Australian law students and legal practitioners have high levels of psychological distress and risk of depression. Thus, The College of Law is hosting a Wellness for Law Forum from 4-5th of February. It will focus on communication and collaboration to improve wellbeing in the law. The theme of the 2016 Wellness for Law Forum is “Re-wiring the Law” which isinspired by the burgeoning science of neuroplasticity. If you are in Sydney, check it out! Read more at College of Law.
5. Indian Supreme Court to review ruling on law banning gay sex
We're familiar with the history of criminalisation of homosexuality and gay sex, but the Indian case is an interesting one. After a four-year period of decriminalisation, the Indian Supreme Court reinstated the ban on gay sex. While the previous government had led the charge to repeal the ban, the current Modi government is intent on crushing that momentum. Read more at The Guardian.
6. Gerard Baden-Clay: Prosecutors outline case for reinstatement of murder conviction
The Baden-Clay saga that gripped the nation continues as Queensland prosecutors launch an appeal to the High Court, against the downgrading of Gerard Baden-Clay’s murder conviction, to manslaughter. Baden-Clay was convicted in 2014 for the murder of his wife Alison. See more at ABC.
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