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Humanities: Legal Studies - Unit 3/4 - The Jury System

General

Juries Act 2000, incorporating amendments as of 1 October 2017

Victorian Statute Book, including Acts and Statutory Rules, dating back to 1996.

Federal Register of Legislation, documenting the laws and legislation for the Commonwealth of Australia. 

The Law Handbook, a practical and accessible guide to the laws governing the people of Victoria. 

Liberty Victoria, an association campaigning for civil liberties and human rights.

Lawyers Weekly, latest legal news, opinions and discussion.

Parliamentary Education Office factsheets - one-page guides to support understanding of the Parliamentary System. 

Australian Law Reform Commission, updates, reports and publications from the federal agency responsible for reviewing Australia's laws.

The Role of Juries

Queensland Law Handbook - the role and responsibilities of the Jury.

Victorian Law Reform Commission - Jury Trials in Victoria.

Factors of composition

TImeBase - Jury Trials in Australia.

Strengths/weaknesses

Rule of Law Institute of Australia - Jury directions and a 'reasonable doubt'.

Pursuit, University of Melbourne - Judge, Jury and Google: how digitally connected jurors are creating new challenges for the courts as they play amateur detective. 

Alternative Law Journal - Do deaf people have the right to serve as jurors in Australia?

ABC Law Report - Jurors would give softer sentences than judges, study finds.

Recent reforms/alternatives to juries

Juries Act 2000, Victorian Legislation incorporating amendments as of 1st October 2017.

The National Judicial College, USA - why jury trials are important.

Recent changes or recommendations to enhance the system

Victorian Law Reform Commission - Case Study: jury directions.

Jury Directions Act 2015, Victorian legislation incorporating amendments as of 1st October 2017.

Premier of Victoria - Reforms continue to improve jury directions.