25 episodes

Drama has unfolded in these courtrooms for more than 130 years, from serial murderers and gangland wars to multimillion-dollar commercial disputes and celebrity defamation cases. Follow Greg Muller and Evan Martin as they take a step behind the bench of one of Australia’s oldest institutions and hear from judges as they explain why they make the decisions they do. Gertie's Law takes a deep dive into some of the lesser-known, misunderstood or complex parts of the court’s work, such as sentencing, mental health, juries and the criminal trial process. Revisit historic cases, meet the many people who work here, from judges to Corrections staff, and take a close look at how a modern justice system operates in a 19th century building. Authorised by the Supreme Court of Victoria, 210 William St, Melbourne

Gertie's Law Supreme Court of Victoria

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 908 Ratings

Drama has unfolded in these courtrooms for more than 130 years, from serial murderers and gangland wars to multimillion-dollar commercial disputes and celebrity defamation cases. Follow Greg Muller and Evan Martin as they take a step behind the bench of one of Australia’s oldest institutions and hear from judges as they explain why they make the decisions they do. Gertie's Law takes a deep dive into some of the lesser-known, misunderstood or complex parts of the court’s work, such as sentencing, mental health, juries and the criminal trial process. Revisit historic cases, meet the many people who work here, from judges to Corrections staff, and take a close look at how a modern justice system operates in a 19th century building. Authorised by the Supreme Court of Victoria, 210 William St, Melbourne

    The Story Behind Gertie's Law

    The Story Behind Gertie's Law

    "What is a podcast?" Gertie's Law executive producer Sarah Dolan talks to StoryCraft host Ben Hart about how the Supreme Court of Victoria embraced new media to educate and inform in an entertaining way.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 29 min
    Closing Statement: Judge and Lawyer Q&A

    Closing Statement: Judge and Lawyer Q&A

    We've received your questions and in this final episode of Gertie’s Law, they get answered.

    What influences lawyers to challenge a juror during empanelment? Does a murder involving family violence attract a larger sentence? When does criticism become defamation? And are there more right wing terrorist cases coming to the court?

    Hear the answers to these questions and more in the final episode of Gertie’s Law.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 39 min
    Terrorism - Part 2

    Terrorism - Part 2

    Last episode we looked at completed terrorist acts, and why they attract such large sentences, however cases involving completed terrorist acts are rare, indeed the first one in Victoria was in 2019.

    Most terrorism cases which come before the Supreme Court occur before an act of terrorism has taken place. They’re preparatory offenses, that is, preparing to commit a terrorist act or conspiring to prepare for a terrorist act. 

    In this episode we look at the difficult problem of how far back is the right time to criminalise preparatory offenses. Too far back and you confront the idea of thought crimes. Too late and the results may well be horrendous. 

    Hear from judges, defense and prosecution barristers and find out how these cases are argued and what happens when they come to the Supreme Court. 

    Links to cases discussed in this episode.

    The Queen v Cerantonio & Ors

    R v Fattal & Ors

     

     
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 59 min
    Terrorism - Part 1

    Terrorism - Part 1

    Terrorism cases are among the most high-profile offences to come to the Supreme Court. The trials are complicated and usually long, as are the resulting sentences. The cases attract a lot of public interest. On the day of a sentence, the public galleries and press seats will be full, and TV cameras, lights and journos will be set up outside the Court to film what they can. 

    Only a few terrorism trials have been heard in Australia, and in this episode we look closely at two of them. This episode of Gertie’s Law details what terrorist offences are, and what happens when they come before a judge of the Supreme Court.  

    Links to cases discussed in this episode.

    The Queen v Shoma

    The Queen v Mohamed, Chaarani & Moukhaibe

    Court of Appeal

    Chaarani & Ors v The Queen

    High Court

    Chaarani v The Queen; Moukhaiber v The Queen

     
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 49 min
    Court Dogs, Lucy & Coop

    Court Dogs, Lucy & Coop

    Courtrooms can be stressful places, especially if you’re giving evidence. Two of the court’s recent employees, Lucy and Coop are helping to take the stress out of being in court. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 20 min
    Barry

    Barry

    Most Victorians have heard of Sir Redmond Barry, not least because there’s so many things named after him in Melbourne. And notoriously, he’s the judge who sentenced Ned Kelly to the gallows.

    But his impact on Melbourne extends far beyond the Kelly story. From defending Aboriginal resistance fighters to getting into a duel, Barry is undoubtedly one of the courts, and indeed the city's, most influential and fascinating figures.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 44 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
908 Ratings

908 Ratings

2toTango: ,

Wonderful

I have enjoyed all the episodes that I have listened so far. They are very well done, informative and interesting.

TimmyfromThomastown ,

Terrific!

If there’s one group that can enliven the dryness and jargon of the law, it’s the Gertie’s Law team. I just cottoned on and am working through them all in lockdown. The music is sensational! There’s fun amongst the serious content and unique access to legal minds and matters. Please do an episode about diversity (or lack of), sexism and racism in the legal profession. And something about the fabulous music. Favourite episodes: Court Dogs and the court in the pandemic.

EBC15 ,

Incredible podcast

This podcast is so interesting and delivered and presented very well. Please keep them coming!

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