Victorian Law Reform Commission

The Victoria Law Foundation has put together a stellar program of events for this year's Victorian Law Week, an annual week of community-based events to help people to identify their legal problems, learn how the law works and get the right help to solve legal problems.

Events and activities across the state are run by a range of legal, community and government organisations. We look forward to participating in Law Talks in Bendigo this week and connecting with local schools and organisations from the justice sector.

For the full program see the link in the post below.

What's on | Victorian Law Week 2026 Find and event to learn how the law works, get legal help, understand your rights and explore the justice system.

Victorian law provides a range of protections for emergency workers while they are on duty. The Commission has been asked to review the definition of 'on duty' as it relates to the protection of emergency workers while at work.

There are concerns that gaps in the law are undermining the protections for emergency workers.

This referral from the Attorney-General follows recent acts of violence against emergency workers.

The Commission has been asked to consider the meaning of ‘on duty,’ and how to amend the definition to ensure it adequately:
- reflects the changing risk environment within which emergency workers are required to perform their duties and
- covers the circumstances where emergency workers are at risk while at work.

The Commission will engage with the Sentencing Advisory Council's review of the Sentencing Act 1991, announded today.

Read about our review and terms of reference at https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/news/new-inquiry-into-protections-for-emergency-workers-on-duty-under-criminal-law/

On this day 25 years ago, the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) was officially launched by then Attorney-General, the Hon Rob Hulls AM.

In 2000, the Parliament had passed the 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘓𝘢𝘸 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘵, establishing the Commission as an independent, central law reform agency in Victoria.

The Attorney-General said the VLRC’s charter would be “to facilitate community-wide debate of law reform issues and to assist members of Parliament in identifying key areas of law reform. The aim is to place Victoria at the cutting edge in law reform in Australia.”

The Hon, Marcia Neave AO, was appointed as the Commission’s inaugural chair.

At the 2021 launch event, Mr Hulls announced the Commission’s first three references—which focused on disputes between co-owners, sexual offences, and privacy and surveillance laws.

Since then, the Commission has completed 49 inquiries, leading to reforms in areas such as assisted reproductive technology, guardianship, the role of victims of crime, committals, decriminalising abortion, legalising medicinal cannabis, and changing the definition of consent in sexual offences.

After 25 years, the Commission’s purpose remains the same: to provide independent, evidence-based recommendations for better laws that keep pace with our evolving society.

We thank everyone who has contributed to our work over the years, including Commissioners, staff, the legal community, advocates and many other stakeholders and community members.

Pictured: Rob Hulls at the launch with Marcia Neave and the Commission’s first CEO, Padma Raman.

AI can support more efficient court services and greater access to justice but there are also significant risks. Our report published today makes 30 recommendations to guide the safe use of AI in Victoria’s courts and tribunals.

This is the first inquiry by an Australian law reform body into the use of AI in courts.

The Artificial Intelligence Victoria’s Courts and Tribunals report, tabled in Parliament yesterday, recommends:
• eight principles to guide the safe use of AI in courts and tribunals and to maintain public trust in courts and tribunals.
• guidelines for court users, judicial officers and staff on implementing the principles.
• prohibition of the use of AI for judicial decision-making.
• governance processes including an AI assurance framework to assess and monitor new AI uses.
• training and education for lawyers, judicial officers and the public to increase awareness about AI guidelines and promote the safe use of AI.

Read our media release:
https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/news/vlrc-recommends-guidelines-for-the-safe-use-of-ai-in-victorias-courts-and-tribunals/

As 2025 draws to a close, we wish you a safe and joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year.

Thank you to everyone who supported and engaged with our work this year. You can read our latest news in our December newsletter: http://bit.ly/3MNbsAg

Our office will be closing from 24 December 2025 until 9 January 2026.

Happy Holidays!

The importance of international collaboration and engagement between law reform agencies is highlighted by our Chair, the Hon. Anthony North KC, in the November issue of the LIV Journal.

He was interviewed by Karin Derkley following his election as president of the Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Agencies in April.

Law reform agencies across the world vary in the way they are structured and resourced and face unique challenges. CALRAs provides an important forum to gain international perspectives, share expertise, best practice and ideas across jurisdictions - and strengthen the quality and impact of law reform globally.

You can read the article here:

Victoria a leader in international law reform | Law Institute Journal The VLRC is reaping the benefits of global experience in its new role at the Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Agencies.

Our new report on protection for children who turn 18 while on a family violence intervention order was tabled in Parliament yesterday.

The report, Examining Aspects of Family Violence Intervention Orders for Children and Young Adults: Stage 1 – Protection for Children Who Turn 18 While on a Family Violence Intervention Order, addresses concerns about some young people "ageing out" and losing the protection of orders when they turn 18.

The Victorian Government has today announced reforms on this issue.

The law is silent about whether a FVIO can be made to last beyond a person’s 18th birthday. The lack of clarity, and the inconsistent way the law is being applied, is creating confusion for victim-survivors, lawyers, and police, leaving some young people feeling unsafe, at risk and in distress.

The Commission’s report calls for simple reforms to the Family Violence Protection Act to:

● make it clear an FVIO can endure past a person’s 18th birthday
● require magistrates to consider the impact of the duration of orders on children and young people, and to consider their views where appropriate.

The report also recommends that guidance is developed to support magistrates in making decisions about the duration of orders for children and young people.

“The current situation with some young people 'ageing out” of the protection of family violence intervention order system is causing confusion and trauma for young people and their families,” says VLRC Chair, the Hon. Anthony North KC.

"These reforms will improve the family violence system so that it is more responsive to the needs and wishes of young people facing exceptionally difficult circumstances.”

Read the report online or download it at: http://bit.ly/43sgg3u

Read our media release: https://bit.ly/4qXQ62C

Congratulations to the Hon. Jennifer Coate AO on being inducted into the 2025 Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

Ms Coate, a VLRC Commissioner since 2020, was recognised in the change agent category for her lifelong commitment to legal and social justice.

She was the first President of the Children’s Court in Victoria, first female State Coroner of Victoria and one of only two females on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

We acknowledge all of the outstanding women recognised in 2025 for their leadership and achievements that make a lasting difference to the community.

Read more about the 2025 inductees at: https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-honour-roll-of-women-inductees?year=2025

It’s been a busy week for our team delivering school presentations about law reform to VCE students as part of our education program.

We hosted students from Minaret College in Springvale at our office, visited the Sacre Coeur School in Glen Iris and delivered an online presentation to Melba College in Croydon. Thank you to the students for their enthusiasm and great questions.

The role of the VLRC is part of the VCE Legal Studies curriculum and our school talks are a great opportunity for student to learn about the law reform process and discuss our recent inquiries.

You can request a speaker to come to your school or presentations can be delivered online or at our CBD office.

Student can also find educational resources on our website, including our Law Reform in Action booklet, case studies, podcasts and a poster.

Find out more and request a speaker at https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/teachers-and-students/

It was great to speak to law students from RMIT University Vietnam last week and discuss VLRC projects being studied as far as Hanoi and South Saigon.

Next term, VCE Legal Studies students will be examining our role in influencing law reform in Victoria.

As part of our education program, we deliver regular presentations to schools in person and online.

We also produce education resources, including the Law Reform in Action booklet, case studies about recent inquiries and a poster outlining our process.

You can find out more and book a speaker at https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/teachers-and-students/