This explains the two main ways in which mental illness becomes an issue in criminal trials. Using case examples, it details when an accused is deemed unfit to stand trial due to mental illness. It also examines the defence of mental impairment, when an accused may argue they cannot be held criminally responsible for their behaviour due to their mental state at the time of offending.
Navigate the justice system
Guidance and information to support people using the courts
Topics
Webinars, workshops, forums and public events to support engagement with the justice system.
Resources
This video contains interviews exploring the NJC, Australia's first and only community justice centre.
This outlines how a civil trial is conducted, including the choice of judge or jury. 1806 approved
As part of Victorian Law Week 2023, RMIT's Centre for Innovative Justice facilitated a panel discussion.
This examines our judges and court hierarchy, from Chief Judge to non-judicial officers.
An overview of the history and current role of the County Court of Victoria.
A comprehensive resource to aid in researching the elements, defences, and origins of a criminal offence.
This outlines the many organisations that help us deliver justice, including government departments and legal bodies such as the Victorian Bar. It explains the role of the Office of Public Prosecutions and details organisations that assist people in dealing with the Court.
Briefly explains the Assessment and Referral Court and outlines the steps to how a referral into the ARC can be made.
Presented by Justice Quigley at Law Talks, this powerpoint contains VCAT's history, present operation, process, relevance to principles of justice and recent reforms
Resource explaining how to properly address judges
Related
Webinars, workshops, forums and public events to support engagement with the justice system.
Resources and general know-how to be an active citizen

Resources and general know-how to be an active citizen

Understand which laws apply in Victoria and who’s who in the legal sector.

Understand which laws apply in Victoria and who’s who in the legal sector.

Identifying when your issue or problem has a legal aspect and learn how the law can help.

Identifying when your issue or problem has a legal aspect and learn how the law can help.

Latest news
Why does engaging with the law so often feel so hard? We’ve so much time thinking about law reform yet spent far too little energy reforming the systems that shape our everyday experience of justice.

Chief Justice Richard Niall shares unique insights into judicial leadership, institutional trust, diversity on the bench and why human judgment remains central to the law.

Two creative programs show how games can make the law accessible and engaging for all Victorians.

Explore our learning resources
Guides, videos, fact sheets, links and case studies to enhance your understanding of law and civic engagement.