Welcome to the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office
As the primary source of legal services to the Victorian State Government and its statutory authorities, VGSO provides strategic advice and practical legal solutions.
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June 2009 seminar
Part 1—Mental Illness, Suicide and Duty of Care: A Discussion of the Recent High Court case of Stuart v Kirkland-Veenstra
The first part of the seminar discussed the law relating to the imposition of a common law duty of care to exercise discretionary statutory powers.
Read a recent newsletter discussing the case.
Speaker notes from the seminar
Part 2—Dealing with the Media and Avoiding Sub Judice Contempt
The second part of the seminar discussed the branch of contempt that deals with public statements about a case before the courts.
Read our latest newsletter about Sub Judice Contempt.
News
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25 June 2009
Managing the Risk of Sub Judice Contempt
The VGSO is often asked to advise on when it is permissible and appropriate for government to publish information relating to legal proceedings and the content of such publications. In this newsletter, we consider the nature of the common law offence of sub judice contempt and the perennial issue of how government can avoid it.
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1 May 2009
High Court Decision - Stuart v Kirkland-Veenstra [2009] HCA 15
The recent High Court decision in Stuart v Kirkland-Veenstra, handed down on 22 April 2009, casts an illuminating spotlight on the powers of Victoria Police in its dealings with the mentally ill and those at risk of self-harm. It also underscores that at common law there is no general duty to rescue.
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1 May 2009
Contract - Probity and Procurement in Government Seminar- Additional Resources
At our April seminar, Sue Nolen, Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor and Andrea Hassett, Director of O'Connor, Marsden & Associates discussed probity and procurement in Government and what it means for the tender process. Also provided was an overview on what probity requires and the potential risks and legal liabilities that can arise for government agencies as well as practical guidance on managing the tender process effectively.
VGSO Seminars
The VGSO seminar program is specifically designed to target the most relevant legal issues facing government today.
As well as providing an analysis of the issues, on a broad range of topics, we also include real life examples, practical applications and implications – to ensure you take away as much useable information as possible.
Careers at VGSO
Providing an excellent opportunity to work across a broad range of issues and experience unique areas of law.
