The Law Handbook 2024

12 Section 1: Understanding our laws and courts • Family Court of Australia: www.familycourt. gov.au. Online information Many websites offer general and specific legal information, and new sites are being created all the time. However, as with any information found on the internet, you need to check that the site you are accessing is a reliable and authoritative source of legal information, and not just a forum for individuals to express their (perhaps inaccurate) views of the law. To access a range of reliable, authoritative, plain- English publications on legal issues, visit Victoria Legal Aid’s website at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au. Libraries Local libraries do not have extensive law collections, although most municipal and shire libraries have basic law books. Some libraries have good inter- library loan arrangements that allow you to borrow books from other libraries. Local libraries also tend to respond well to demand, so they may purchase a book for you. Two specialist law libraries (the State Library of Victoria and Victoria Legal Aid’s Public Law Library; see ‘Contacts’ at the end of this chapter) may be used by the public. Apart from these, all law courts have basic collections that may be consulted, with permission from the court staff. All libraries now offer internet access, and trained staff can assist even a novice to find almost anything online. Costs and charges vary from library to library, but it is astonishing what can be located for little or no cost. If you need help, it is best to make prior arrangements with library staff to ensure someone is available to assist you. More information The following references provide more information about where our laws come from: • Carvan, J 2015, Understanding the Australian Legal System , 7th edn, Thomson Reuters. This is a good cook’s tour and is not expensive. • Cook, C, Creyke, R, Geddes, R, Hamer, D & Taylor, T 2015, Laying down the Law , 9th edn, LexisNexis Butterworths. This textbook is for first-year law students. It sets out the basic principles of the Australian legal system and introduces legal reasoning, research and writing. • Davies, M 2017, Asking the Law Question , 4th edn, Thomson Reuters. This book takes a theoretical approach to the nature of law and its impacts. • Finkelstein, R&Hamer, D2014, LexisNexis Concise Australian Legal Dictionary , 5th edn, LexisNexis. This useful book provides brief explanations of basic legal concepts, words and principles. • Laster, K 2001, Law as Culture , 2nd edn, Federation Press. This textbook approaches the topic of law from a broader perspective. • Lawyers’ Practice Manual (Vic) , Springvale Legal Service and Thomson Reuters. This is a useful procedural guide for legal practitioners; it covers a range of legal topics. • Meek, M 2016, Australian Legal System – LBC Nutshell , 5th edn, Thomson Reuters. This concise resource includes references to Acts and cases. • Nagarajan, V 1989, Australian Law through 200 Years , Kangaroo Press. This book contains an interesting collection of photos that illustrate the development of Australian law and legal institutions. Contacts First Nations Legal and Research Services 12–14 Leveson Street, North Melbourne Vic 3051 Tel: 9321 5300; 1800 791 779 Email: info@fnlrs.com.au Web: www.fnlrs.com.au National Native Title Tribunal Melbourne office: Level 10, Commonwealth Law Courts, 305 William Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Tel: 9920 3000 Email: enquiries@nntt.gov.au Web: www.nntt.gov.au State Library of Victoria 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Tel: 8664 7000 Web: www.slv.vic.gov.au