Noticeboard
| Author | Jeremy Gans |
| DOI | 10.1177/1365712715625005 |
| Published date | 01 April 2016 |
| Date | 01 April 2016 |
| Subject Matter | Noticeboard |
Noticeboard
Jeremy Gans
Melbourne Law School, Melbourne University, Australia
Law Reform and Source Material
Self-defence—Australia
Review of the Law Relating to Self-Defence. Tasmania Law Reform Institute, Final Report No. 20, October
2015. Available at: http://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/756570/TLRI_Self-defence_FR_
A4_06_Print.pdf
This report from Tasmania’s law reform body examines the substantive law of self-defence, but several
of its recommendations cover evidence that might be relevant to that defence. The report recommends
permitting jurors to consider evidence of self-induced intoxication (including by methamphetamine) in
relation to some aspects of self-defence; amending Tasmania’s evidence statute to follow Victoria’s
express provision on the admission of family violence evidence; and adopting part of Victoria’s jury
directions statute on directions on family violence.
Homicide—Ireland
Prevention of Benefit from Homicide. Irish Law Reform Commission, Report, July 2015. Available at: http://
www.lawreform.ie/_fileupload/Reports/r114.pdf
This report focuses on succession law, updating the forfeiture rule preventing a homicide offender
from receiving property as a result of that homicide. It addresses some evidence issues, recommending
that the fact that the purported beneficiary unlawfully caused someone’s death can be established
either on the civil standard of proof (including in cases where the person was not charged with homi-
cide or was acquitted) or (conclusively) by his or her conviction for homicide. The report defers a
question about the broader use of evidence of convictions in civil cases to a forthcoming report on the
law of evidence.
Family violence—New Zealand
Victims of Family Violence who Commit Homicide. Law Commission, Issues Paper 39, November 2015.
Available at: http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/sites/default/files/projectAvailableFormats/NZLC%20IP39%
20Final.PDF
This issues paper from New Zealand’s peak law reform body seeks input on the law’s response to victims
of family violence who commit homicide. Although the reference is directed to questions of substantive
Corresponding author:
Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia.
Email: Jeremy.gans@unimelb.edu.au
The International Journalof
Evidence & Proof
2016, Vol. 20(2) 178–180
ªThe Author(s) 2016
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DOI: 10.1177/1365712715625005
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