Cases

In addition to advice sessions and an ongoing file load, the UNLC and other School academic staff have taken on a number of major cases which have had significant public interest value and in which students have played an important role.

A reinvestigation by the New South Wales Crimes Commission of a case involving the murder in 1989 of a local teenager was carried out arising from the Centre's 300 page submission which identified failures in police methodologies and investigatory procedures. The matter was referred to the NSW Police Integrity Commission.

Following submissions to the Minister for Police a major reinvestigation of a number of Missing Persons cases has been carried out.

Following a review of the Coronial Inquiry and Royal Commission into the death of an aboriginal man the State Coroner accepted the recommendation that his remains be exhumed for the purpose of determining if relevant post-mortem procedures had been performed and to identify any injuries to him not observed at the original post-mortem.

Students worked with a solicitor in preparing for hearing a matter where the client was being prosecuted by the Environmental Protection Authority for allegedly dumping oil at a north coast garbage tip. The matter was heard in the NSW Land and Environment Court in Sydney over two days, and resulted in the dismissal of the charge against the UNLC's client.

The UNLC has also reviewed two police shooting cases where citizens lost their lives. One case involving the shooting of a person by Police on Bondi Beach attracted national interest. The Centre represented the victim's families at the Coronial inquests and continues to investigate the issues of police accountability which arise from the cases.

In combining the resources of lawyers and students to provide a community service the School fulfils dual goals. The UNLC has become a major service provider in the Newcastle region, an achievement which would not have been possible without the participation of students. The students, in turn, gain a considerable understanding of legal practice, a fundamental insight into the application of substantive law, an opportunity to undertake interesting and important legal work - and a quality education.