Suppression orders in Victoria: supporting or distorting justice?

Suppression orders imposed by courts have been big in the news in 2019. George Pell and barrister Nicola Gobbo, known during the suppression period as Lawyer X, are key examples.

7:59 pm
8:59 pm
Oct 1, 2019
-
8:59 pm
Oct 1, 2019
Online

Suppression orders imposed by courts have been big in the news in 2019. George Pell and barrister Nicola Gobbo, known during the suppression period as Lawyer X, are key examples.

Held in October at the State Library of Victoria, the 2019 Law and You Forum explored the current law and some of the thorny issues which surround it.

Are suppression orders essential to a fair trial for defendants, or does the public have a right to know about all aspects of the justice system and its outcomes?

Are suppression orders sometimes made because judges and lawyers believe juries can’t separate fact from comment?

Do suppression orders even work in a globally connected world when we can read international coverage online
And what about the rights of victims where matters or names are suppressed?

Participant details

Louise Milligan

Reporter with ABC TV’s Four Corners and author of Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell

The Hon. Frank Vincent AO QC

former Supreme Court judge, author of the Vincent review of the Open Courts Act and member of the Victorian Law Reform Commission

Dr Matt Collins AM QC

President, Victorian Bar, renowned barrister and Senior Fellow at the Melbourne Law School

Rod Ratcliffe

Principal Registrar of the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal, and sometimes acting Juries Commissioner.

Register

Event information

Host

No items found.

Participants

Louise Milligan
Reporter with ABC TV’s Four Corners and author of Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell
The Hon. Frank Vincent AO QC
former Supreme Court judge, author of the Vincent review of the Open Courts Act and member of the Victorian Law Reform Commission
Dr Matt Collins AM QC
President, Victorian Bar, renowned barrister and Senior Fellow at the Melbourne Law School
Rod Ratcliffe
Principal Registrar of the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal, and sometimes acting Juries Commissioner.

A New Perspective on Legal Need and Legal Capability is now available

The third report from the Public Understanding of Law Survey explores how attitudes, skills and confidence matter in satisfactorily resolving justiciable issues.