Victoria commits to redesign, new court facilities
By Naomi Neilson|26 April 2021
Faster legal services, managing COVID backlogs and inclusive designs are front of mind for two new court facility developments across Victoria.
Bundoora and Bendigo locals will soon be able to access the latest technology and efficient legal services with a new Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and expanded jurisdictions across all specialist courts respectively.
The new Bundoora VCAT facility will resolve more cases faster and help clear the major backlog caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said. The new site will also boast the latest technology available to enable more matters to be heard online, providing greater flexibility and capacity for hearings.
PENNY STEPHENS/Sydney Morning Herald
Grace, a teacher at a Melbourne private school, and her daughter, Jamie, who was allegedly raped by a stranger she got to know on Snapchat in October last year.
For 17-year-old schoolgirl Jamie, Melbourne’s long second lockdown took a toll – she was cut off from friends, having recently started at a new school. When a boy from 38 kilometres across town messaged Jamie on popular teen app Tellonym to ask if she would add him on Snapchat, she decided to allow it. He told her he was 15, and at first the messages were benign enough. “He said he was really into basketball and anime, and I love anime as well so I was like: ‘This is awesome, what’s your favourite anime?’ I said I was watching
âI have made a new friendâ: How Jamie went âfrom Snapchat hello to rape in five daysâ
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For 17-year-old schoolgirl Jamie, Melbourneâs long second lockdown took a toll â she was cut off from friends, having recently started at a new school.
When a boy from 38 kilometres across town messaged Jamie on popular teen app Tellonym to ask if she would add him on Snapchat, she decided to allow it.
Grace, a teacher at a Melbourne private school, and her daughter, Jamie, who was allegedly raped by a stranger she got to know on Snapchat in October last year.
Silks, judges to face âgood characterâ test in Victoria
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Victorian barristers and judges must be assessed to be of good character before taking silk or going to the bench, respectively, under new rules designed to stamp out widespread sexual harassment in the legal industry.
As part of 20 recommendations put forward by a government review into sexual harassment in Victorian courts, the appointment process for judicial officers will be changed to âexplicitly require that potential appointees are of good character and have consistently demonstrated professional respect and courtesyâ.
Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes: âThis report puts sexual harassment in Victorian courts and the harm it causes in the spotlight where it canât be ignored any longer.âÂ
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