Human rights & public interest
Within this emerging area of law, the VGSO team operates under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act, which came into operation in 2007. Working in conjunction with the Solicitor-General and the Human Rights Unit of the Department of Justice, the team of experienced solicitors liaises with a number of VGSO departments.
Specifically, the team reviews existing legislation, identifies human rights implications of proposed policies, prepares ‘Statements of Compatibility’ and prepares ‘Human Rights Certificates’ for any new regulations.
A key source of legal advice in relation to the new Charter, our team identifies the most relevant implementation issues, and provides solicitors with simple and informative material to best address these matters.
The role of the VGSO
The VGSO has established a Human Rights Practice Group to provide advice and assistance with Charter matters. The VGSO is in a unique position to advise government departments and statutory authorities on the application and implications of the Charter to their operational practices.
