An answer to a criminal charge or other wrongdoing, based on a precedent that has developed from decisions in court cases, rather than being set out in legislation (a statutory defence).

Other news

FLS CEO Hamish McLachlan reflects on September
September 30, 2024
A message from the CEO – September 2024
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His Honour Magistrate Brian Wright
September 24, 2024
FLS Life Member reflects on 46 years of community service
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The Law Handbook 2024
September 10, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service’s Law Handbook 2024 is now available as a free online resource for the community
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Save Community Legal Centres
September 5, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service calls on governments to end the funding crisis
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August 22, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service calls for family law system reforms to protect victim-survivors of family violence
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Changes to the FLS Board
August 6, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service announces new appointments and changes to the Board   
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Media-release-Medicinal-Cannabis-driving-laws.png
July 8, 2024
MEDIA RELEASE: Victorian Government must fix outdated and unfair driving laws that punish those prescribed medical cannabis    
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The Law Handbook 2024
July 8, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service launches 46th edition of The Law Handbook    
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Carol Andrades, Former Fitzroy Legal Service Board member and long-term Night Service volunteer
July 4, 2024
Five minutes with former Fitzroy Legal Service Board member and longstanding volunteer, Carol Andrades  
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Night Service victim-survivor of gendered violence
June 12, 2024
Gemma’s case is not unique (CW: gendered-violence) 
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FLS appoints new CEO Hamish McLachlan
May 30, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service’s Board appoints new CEO, Hamish McLachlan
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Job Expo for Lived and Living Experience
May 23, 2024
Groundbreaking jobs expo to challenge barriers for women locked out of employment 
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IDAHOBIT DAY
May 17, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service and Q+Law celebrate IDAHOBIT Day
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Australia must do more to secure a ceasefire in Palestine
May 14, 2024
Australia must do more to secure a ceasefire in Palestine
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FLS's free Divorce Clinic
April 30, 2024
Family Law and Family Violence team reignite FLS’s Divorce Clinic
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A msg from the CEO, Hamish McLachlan
April 30, 2024
Message from the CEO – April 2024  
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April 15, 2024
Migration Bill denies safe pathways for people seeking asylum in Australia
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March 28, 2024
Message from the CEO – March 2024  
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Rebecca Johnston-Ryan, Service Director and Principal Lawyer, Night Service
March 27, 2024
Five minutes with FLS Night Service Director and Principal Lawyer, Rebecca Johnston-Ryan
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March 26, 2024
FLS welcomes new volunteers for 2024 
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March 15, 2024
FLS submission to amend Australia’s Family Law Act  
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February 29, 2024
Message from the CEO – February 2024  
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FLS 2024 Trainee Lawyer
February 29, 2024
Welcoming FLS’s 2024 Trainee Lawyer
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A message from the CEO, January 2024, Hamish McLachlan
January 31, 2024
Message from the CEO – January 2024  
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January 18, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service doors remain open this Invasion Day
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Hamish McLachlan
January 9, 2024
Introducing FLS Interim CEO, Hamish McLachlan  
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November 28, 2023
In the future, people like Thuy will no longer face unfair barriers
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November 8, 2023
FLS announces CEO departure following a legacy of purposeful growth
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Solicitor and former Australian Government Solicitor, Michael Kingston
October 24, 2023
Five minutes with former FLS volunteer, Michael Kingston
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June 30, 2023
Reflections on a harm reduction intervention in the Inquest into Veronica Nelson’s passing
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Human Rights News
June 19, 2023
Victoria Police breaches human rights and its own policies at cannabis legalisation rally
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May 26, 2023
FLS submission on a medically supervised injecting service in the City of Melbourne
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March 31, 2023
Q+Law: A new legal service with and for LGBTIQA+ communities
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March 10, 2023
FLS joins calls for a Supervised Injecting Service in the CBD
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January 24, 2023
Fitzroy Legal Service joins in calls from Aboriginal, legal, and human rights organisations for the urgent reform of Victoria’s bail laws.
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October 13, 2022
Vale Uncle Jack
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October 22, 2021
Human Rights don’t stop at prison gates. It is time to end routine strip searching of people in prison!
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May 15, 2025
A message from the CEO – May 2025
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