The Wigs

In this episode the wigs tackle two topical legal issues. Firstly the controversial failed prosecution of NSW Minister Don Harwin. Secondly the operation of the NSW High Risk Offender scheme, under which people are detained and monitored for being an "unacceptable risk" of further criminal offending. 

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The Wigs sit down with author and fellow barrister Andrew Boe to talk about his new book The Truth Hurts - an unflinching exploration of the fault lines in our criminal justice system by an outsider who found his way in. Stick around for a reading by the author himself at the end of the Wigs’ interview with Andrew.

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The Wigs put prosecutorial fairness under the microscope. First up is a discussion of a new decision of the NSW Supreme Court in Bradley v Senior Constable Chilby, where a defendant in local court proceedings demanded disclosure of details of his accuser's history of violence, drug use and dishonesty in a case where self-defence loomed large. Secondly the wigs discuss a recent decision of the High Court of Australia in Nguyen v The Queen - which decided a long standing controversy in criminal trial law in Australia. Does the prosecution have to put into evidence an interview with an accused person who doesn't make a confession, but rather denies the commission of the offence? The Wigs examine these new and important cases in a wide ranging discussion drawing on their practical experience as Criminal Lawyers.

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The Wigs discuss the recent US Supreme Court case of Bostock v Clayton County where a US man was fired for "conduct unbecoming a county employee". Why? He joined a gay softball team. He took the county on and ended up transforming US discrimination law. To add some Australian context the Wigs also interview Assoc Professor Wayne Morgan who talks about his decades of legal activism. Lastly, we profile William Ah Ket, a fascinating figure in Australian legal history.

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The Wigs discuss the situation involving former Justice of the High Court of Australia, Dyson Heydon.

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The Wigs are back! Kicking off season 2 with the inside story of the NSW Police attempt to ban the recent Black Lives Matter protest in Sydney. The three Wigs represented the protest organiser in the 24 hours leading up to the event and eventually secured a last minute appeal ruling that allowed a peaceful protest to go ahead.

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The Wigs recap some of the major cases highlighting in season 1 of the chart-topping podcast, including Pell v R and Annika Smethurst v AFP, (both discussed in detail). The Wigs discuss the cases from their practical perspectives as practising criminal law barristers.

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The wigs chat with employment law expert and Barrister at State Chambers, Anton Duc. This episode was recorded on April 3rd, 2020 via zoom and, as such, the employment law landscape has changed since then. Stay tuned at the end of the episode as Anton provides a post script update. 

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The Wigs continue with our special Covid-19 episodes - This time we’re focusing on the restraints on movement and assembly imposed via public health powers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. 

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This is the first of a series of special episodes looking at the impact of the Corona Virus on Australia’s legal system and society. The Wigs discuss the Covid-19 related changes to the operation of the court system, the impact on prisoner populations and the way federal and state parliaments have responded to the virus.Our special guest is Rose Jackson MLC, a member of the NSW upper house who has a fascinating chat with The Wigs about how parliament is and should be responding to the crisis. 

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