Just spaces: security without prejudice in the wireless courtroom. How do jurors respond to seeing defendants in a glass cage, in a traditional wooden dock or at the Bar table? The project will examine how courtroom design shapes attitudes; and, bringing together court executives, architects and researchers, will show how flexible wireless courtrooms can meet both security and human rights standards.
Using law and ending domestic violence: Women's voices. Domestic violence severely damages communities across the globe and law is recognised as a key mechanism for prevention and redress. This project aims to undertake a longitudinal study examining how women of diverse backgrounds use law to help them live a life free of violence. It will investigate what influences women's decisions to choose particular legal interventions but not others, and will identify any unintended consequences flowing ....Using law and ending domestic violence: Women's voices. Domestic violence severely damages communities across the globe and law is recognised as a key mechanism for prevention and redress. This project aims to undertake a longitudinal study examining how women of diverse backgrounds use law to help them live a life free of violence. It will investigate what influences women's decisions to choose particular legal interventions but not others, and will identify any unintended consequences flowing from legal engagement. This project aims to highlight what contributes to women’s satisfaction and sense of safety resulting from legal interventions over time, to make an important contribution to community education, policy implementation and law reform, both within Australia and internationally.Read moreRead less
Administrative justice in China: harnessing the rule of law to deal with citizen complaints against official misconduct. Ongoing conflicts between citizens and government officials in China pose a serious threat to the country’s social stability. Dealing fairly and efficiently with citizens’ complaints of administrative misconduct is a core component of China’s commitment to good governance and the rule of law. This legal project undertakes the first systematic examination of the three mechanism ....Administrative justice in China: harnessing the rule of law to deal with citizen complaints against official misconduct. Ongoing conflicts between citizens and government officials in China pose a serious threat to the country’s social stability. Dealing fairly and efficiently with citizens’ complaints of administrative misconduct is a core component of China’s commitment to good governance and the rule of law. This legal project undertakes the first systematic examination of the three mechanisms underpinning administrative justice in China and their interaction: administrative litigation, administrative review, and letters and visits. It will assess China’s capacity to use law to address chronic abuse of power. It will provide a practical understanding of the changing nature of China’s commitment to the rule of law and the implications for Australia.Read moreRead less
Interpreters in court: witness credibility with interpreted testimony. The study will improve access to justice for non-English speaking witnesses, testifying in court through an interpreter. It achieves this by taking advantage of new wireless technologies to transform the social and technological environment of the courtroom.
Mode, accuracy and credibility in court interpreting. This project aims to examine factors affecting the accuracy of interpreting and the effect of interpreters on witness credibility. Judicial cases rely on oral evidence. Witness credibility is assessed based on the content of the testimony and the speaker’s demeanour. When witnesses do not speak English, their credibility is evaluated through an interpreter. Inaccurate interpretations can result in miscarriages of justice, making accuracy of i ....Mode, accuracy and credibility in court interpreting. This project aims to examine factors affecting the accuracy of interpreting and the effect of interpreters on witness credibility. Judicial cases rely on oral evidence. Witness credibility is assessed based on the content of the testimony and the speaker’s demeanour. When witnesses do not speak English, their credibility is evaluated through an interpreter. Inaccurate interpretations can result in miscarriages of justice, making accuracy of interpretation essential. This project aims to provide empirical evidence to support best practice and a basis for policy recommendations to courts to enhance the fairness of the justice system for all members of the community, regardless of language and background.Read moreRead less
Evaluating redress mechanisms governing the human rights practices of transnational business: lessons for institutional design and operation. Australian and United Kingdom researchers will collaborate with leading development and human rights organisations to design regulatory systems that promote sustained business compliance with human rights norms, and enable workers and communities to defend their human rights when these are infringed by businesses from Australia and other OECD countries.
Rape victims on trial: understanding police officers' and jurors' beliefs about sexual assault, victims, and perpetrators. This project will enhance justice in cases of sexual assault. This project will discover the extra-legal factors that influence how victims of sexual assault are viewed by police and jurors, and test two ways to reduce the influence of these misconceptions in the criminal justice system.
National research study of the civil and family law needs of Indigenous people. This research will benefit Indigenous communities by improving access and equity in legal services. By identifying and addressing the civil and family law needs of Indigenous people, the research will make a key contribution to improving legal and social justice outcomes. Partner organisations in the research will actively implement the findings to the national benefit, creating more appropriate, accessible and bette ....National research study of the civil and family law needs of Indigenous people. This research will benefit Indigenous communities by improving access and equity in legal services. By identifying and addressing the civil and family law needs of Indigenous people, the research will make a key contribution to improving legal and social justice outcomes. Partner organisations in the research will actively implement the findings to the national benefit, creating more appropriate, accessible and better targeted legal services aimed at meeting identified needs. The research will make an important contribution to the Commonwealth's welfare reform and participation agendas, particularly its Access to Justice Framework as better access to legal services can play an important role in alleviating economic and social disadvantage.Read moreRead less