News

Up-to-date news from Victoria Law Foundation.

News articles

Education
Grants
December 20, 2018

It’s been a busy and highly successful year at the VLF, with many changes. As we come to the end of 2018, we thought it would be useful to summarise the developments which could affect you.

Hands holding a tree
Grants
December 16, 2018

Our grants program has long supported projects that have a significant impact on the lives of Victorians and the way they understand and use the law.

From 2019 we will take a new approach to grants, reflecting our focus on civil law and research.

Education
October 26, 2018

On Wednesday 24 October Victoria Law Foundation presented The Law and You Forum at Federation Square, the second in our annual series exploring an intriguing area of the law.

This year’s topic, Is Sport Playing by the Rules? provoked insights on how sport’s separate legal ecosystems - with different rules, courts, judges and sanctions - compare to general legal standards and processes.

October 23, 2018

Victoria Law Foundation announce the appointment of a Research Director to lead new research function.

Grants
October 16, 2018

The Council on the Ageing Victoria (COTA) have produced a new practical guide for partners and family on how to deal with the death of a partner.

Education
October 16, 2018

For a few years, Kate Seear had been part of a group of six women regularly messaging each other about sport, particularly the social and political issues in the AFL.

But as women and passionate footy supporters, the group was often dissatisfied with the way sport stories unfolded in the media. Even though women were often the subject of discussions and controversies, it didn’t feel as if they were involved in the conversation.

Grants
September 18, 2018

Our Grants program supports outstanding work by community organisations helping Victorians navigate the justice system. One such project is Confident Commuter.

Education
August 22, 2018

Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AC, Governor of Tasmania delivered the 2018 Law Oration in the historic Banco Court at the Supreme Court of Victoria. Over 130 people attended on a cold Melbourne night to hear about by Her Excellency’s research, including the Victorian Juries Sentencing Study.

August 01, 2018

Recent changes in legislation and function mean some important change at the Victoria Law Foundation

Distressed woman looking down
July 05, 2018

You might think that forced marriage was only a problem in the developing world, but it also happens in Australia. Red Cross Australia have created three videos to help explain this issue and what you can do if you know someone who needs help.

scales of justice
June 14, 2018

Confused about how the Victorian legal sector works? The new edition of Victoria's legal system can help.

May 29, 2018

Following a review of our plain language training, we are making some changes to the way that the program is delivered for 2018/19.

May 13, 2018

Listen to this one-off podcast to hear from the people behind TRACE (Rachael Brown) and Phoebe’s Fall (Richard Baker), together with ABC Radio National’s The Law Report (Damien Carrick), as they discuss the intricacies and hurdles in producing an investigative podcast in today’s legal landscape, and how this format can raise public awareness of law enforcement and the justice system.

court networker lanyard
May 10, 2018

Going to court can be stressful, especially for those who are vulnerable, representing themselves or attending court for the first time. Court Network, a service delivered largely by volunteers, is helping to make that experience better. We spoke to Melanie Heenan, Executive Director of Court Network, to find out more about its role in Victorian courts.

Better information
Education
Grants
Teacher resources
May 04, 2018

Our May e-news is now available to read online.

Better information
Education
Grants
Teacher resources
April 09, 2018

Our April e-news is now available to read online.

'Old High Court of Australia building, Little Bourke Street, Melbourne', from the Mark Strizic Collection part of the Pictures Collection of the State
March 21, 2018

The old High Court in Melbourne is celebrating it's 90th birthday. This Q&A explores the colourful history and historical significance of the old High Court building on Little Bourke Street.

Grants
February 28, 2018

A new website dedicated to helping public transport users understand their rights is just the ticket for Victorians. On Thursday 22 February, Liberty Victoria’s Rights Advocacy Project (RAP) launched Confident Commuter, a website that helps people understand their options when faced with ticket inspectors and a myki fine.

November 30, 2017

What would a justice system look like if it put citizens at the centre? This was the theme of the recent Sir Zelman Cowen Oration by Professor Dame Hazel Genn, a distinguished UK academic whose research looks at people’s everyday legal needs and how the system can be more responsive.

June 06, 2017

This month Joh Kirby will conclude her 11 year term with Victoria Law Foundation. She reflects on how dramatically the legal sector has changed during this period and what the future may bring for the sector and the foundation.

May 12, 2017

See what the guest speakers had to saw about Law Week 2017 at this year's official launch at County Court.

Robert French AC at the Victoria Law Foundation's Law Oration in Victoria, Australia
February 16, 2017

Legal drama unfolding in the United States around US President Donald Trump’s bid to restrict immigration has prompted retired High Court Chief Justice Robert French to make pointed comments about the importance of respect for the law.

Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, The Honourable Robert French AC
February 06, 2017

In his first speaking engagement since retiring as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, The Honourable Robert French AC will present on the topic, 'Rights and Freedoms and the Rule of Law' when he delivers the 2017 Victoria Law Foundation Law Oration on Thursday 9 February.

Comview stand
Education
Grants
Teacher resources
November 30, 2016

Victoria Law Foundation was once again delighted to participate in the annual Comview Conference, organised by the Victorian Commercial Teachers Association, held on the 28 and 29 November 2016.

Grants thumbnail
Grants
November 18, 2016

Congratulations to our General Grants recipients for 2016/17. We are pleased to announce that we awarded five grants for projects aimed at helping people better understand the law.

Intern at Victoria Law Foundation
Education
November 15, 2016

Victoria Law Foundation’s internship program aims to give current Victorian law students an understanding of our work to improve legal literacy and access to legal services in Victoria.

Victoria Law Foundation logo
Better information
Education
Grants
Teacher resources
October 27, 2016

The Victoria Law Foundation’s 2015/16 annual report was tabled in Parliament on Thursday 27 October 2016. This is the first annual report under our new strategic plan which commenced this year and ends in 2020/21. This report reflects on our achievements for 2015/16.

Victoria Law Foundation logo
Education
October 25, 2016

Education Manager, Fabiola Superina will be presenting at Comview 2016, the annual conference of the Victorian Commercial Teachers Association held each November. Last year, over 790 teachers attended over two days. The Comview program is always diverse with a wide range of presenters from across the legal sector.

Better information
October 24, 2016

Victoria Law Foundation together with Fitzroy Legal Service, Victoria Legal Aid and the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) are participating in a Monash PhD study into the uses and usefulness of online legal information for the Victorian public. The research aims to suggest a framework to better align legal information resources with user needs

Lizzie O'Shea
Better information
Education
Grants
Teacher resources
September 15, 2016

A recipient of a Victoria Law Foundation grant has been nominated as a finalist in the prestigious film and media sector SAE ATOM Awards.

Metropolitan Law Talks
Education
June 17, 2016

In response to requests from teachers, we're delighted that a video of our most recent Metropolitan Law Talks is now available online. Thanks to Centre for Innovative Justice – RMIT University for filming the event and as a result making it possible for Law Talks to reach even more students across Victoria.

Cake
Better information
Education
Grants
Teacher resources
June 01, 2016

It’s been two years since we launched Everyday-Law – our website that aims to improve Victorians’ access to the best legal information produced by organisations like yours.

Photo at Metro Law Talks
Education
Teacher resources
May 27, 2016

The third Law Week Metropolitan Law Talks took place on Monday 16 May. The day was a great success, with over 150 students from eight schools, including one from Bendigo, participating.

Photo of foundation staff member and bike
Better information
Education
January 28, 2016

Our latest publication for bike riders has proven to be very popular. 80,000 copies have been distributed across Victoria to local councils, police stations, bike shops and individuals since its launch in December.

Victoria Law Foundation logo
Better information
Education
Grants
Teacher resources
January 14, 2016

We have a rare part-time vacancy for the position of Business and Finance Manager. Applications close 5:00 pm Monday 1 February 2016. Learn more about the role.

Photo of lights
Better information
Grants
December 08, 2015

Congratulations to our General Grants recipients for 2015/16. We've awarded more than $170,000 to nine diverse legal education projects aimed at helping people better understand the law.

Photo of stand at Comview
Education
Teacher resources
November 27, 2015

Comview is the annual conference for legal studies and commerce teachers, and is organised by their peak body the VCTA (Victorian Commercial Teachers Association). This year, Comview ran over two days on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 November.

Better information
November 26, 2015

Victoria Law Foundation will no longer deliver the Legal Reporting Awards from 2016.

Photo of our Education Manager
Education
August 29, 2015

As part of Victoria Law Foundation’s Law Talks program, over 300, Year 11 and 12 rural VCE Legal Studies students, from five schools will get the unique opportunity to learn from retired judges and legal practitioners at Mildura Senior College on 26 and 27 of August.

Reichstein Foundation logo
Better information
Grants
August 20, 2015

The Law and Justice Funders Network, hosted by the foundation in conjunction with the Reichstein Foundation, aims to share knowledge about legal sector issues and best practice philanthropy. The network facilitates information sharing, discussion around common funding priorities and the potential for joint funding.

Victoria Law Foundation logo
Education
July 30, 2015

It’s been an exciting couple of months for our Education Program. We’re pleased to share all the latest developments with you.

Victoria Law Foundation
Grants
May 28, 2015

As part of our second 2014/2015 General Grants round, we've awarded more than $130,000 to six diverse legal projects that will help Victorians better understand the law and their legal system.

Legal Reporting Awards 2015
Better information
April 23, 2015

Victoria Law Foundation last night recognised more than eighteen media professionals for excellence in legal journalism at the Legal Reporting Awards 2015.

Honourable Justice Susan Crennan AC
Education
February 11, 2015

The Honourable Justice Susan Crennan AC’s 2014 Law Oration on Magna Carta, common law values and the Constitution, is now available to read.

CLC Fellow, Jacinta Maloney
Grants
December 14, 2014

St Kilda Legal Service's Jacinta Maloney has published her Community Legal Centre Fellowship report titled Community legal empowerment – the use of peer education as a tool for delivering community legal education.

Joh Kirby, Executive Director
Better information
December 11, 2014

Our Executive Director, Joh Kirby, shares her highlights from the ICClear|Clarity 2014 conference held in Belgium.

Intern at Victoria Law Foundation
Education
December 03, 2014

Victoria Law Foundation’s internship program aims to give current Victorian law students an understanding of our work to improve legal literacy and access to legal services in Victoria.

Legal Reporting Awards trophy
Education
December 01, 2014

Entries are now open for the Legal Reporting Awards. The 2015 awards are being offered in twelve categories spanning print, radio, television, and online, as well as regional media and multicultural media.

Plane on tarmac
Better information
October 20, 2014

Today the foundation launched its new corporate website. The launch signals the end of an eighteen-month project to change the focus of the way the foundation communicates with its stakeholders and the community.

CJ Medal awardee Amy Frew
Education
October 11, 2014

You may have heard of the Chief Justice’s Medal for Excellence and Community Service. It is an award made by the Chief Justice each year to a graduating Victorian law student who demonstrates academic excellence in their legal studies and a commitment to community service.

The Hon Justice Susan Crennan AC
Education
Teacher resources
August 22, 2014

Australian High Court judge, the Honourable Justice Susan Crennan AC, will tonight share her thoughts on the Magna Carta, common law values and the Constitution for the annual Law Oration presented by the Victoria Law Foundation and Melbourne Law School.

What do you call the judge cover
Better information
February 04, 2014

Media release – launch of new publication What do you call the judge?