New series breaks down appeal cases of interest

Media release

Thursday, 25 June 2020

The Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council is taking a closer look at sentencing with its new *Case in Focus series, breaking down Court of Appeal judgments in an easy to understand way.

The Council’s Case in Focus series provides interactive summaries that run through points of law and sentencing principles discussed in high profile or interesting appellate court decisions in a simple and user-friendly format.

The Council’s Chair, retired judge, John Robertson, said the new series is designed to make cases from the Court of Appeal and other appellate courts readily accessible for everyone.

“Our Case in Focus series is for everyone from lawyers to non-lawyers and aims to help inform the community about how sentencing principles and factors are applied in cases, and the basis on which appeals are initiated and decided,” Mr Robertson said.

“The first two cases in the series involve dangerous driving causing death and highlight how every case and appeal is different.

“This is an offence that can be committed by anyone and for that reason alone attracts a lot of media and community interest,” he said.

One case considers an appeal against a woman’s sentence for the dangerous operation of a vehicle causing her younger sister’s death while under the influence of alcohol, while the other looks at an appeal against a man’s sentence for the dangerous operation of a vehicle (a truck) causing the death of a woman standing by the driver’s door of her vehicle, parked legally outside her house.

Individual cases are summarised and linked to the actual judgment on the Queensland Courts website for those who want more in depth information.

“Our Case in Focus resources can help the community to better understand appeals and the court system,” Mr Robertson said.

The Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council’s Case in Focus series will be an ongoing project.

*Case in Focus summaries are incomplete summaries of the Court’s reasons and are not legal advice. The summaries include explanations of legal concepts that are not necessarily set out in the judgments. The summaries are not approved by, or affiliated with, Queensland Courts and are not to be regarded as a substitute for the Court of Appeal’s judgments.

Media inquiries

Jane Coates
Media and Engagement Manager
0459 887 077 /  (07) 3738 9498

Laura Mac Kenzie
Senior Engagement Officer
0437 967 376 / (07) 3738 9501