Victorian Law Reform Commission

07/08/2026

This , it’s worth remembering that funeral and burial wishes are not legally binding in Victoria.

Our 2016 report on Funeral and Burial Instructions found that this can lead to disputes in which family members have different ideas about how to honour their loved ones after they die. According to community groups we met, this is because death is often considered a taboo topic.

To prevent these disputes, we were told that people should talk to their family and friends about their wishes before they die. This helps the bereaved know what the deceased wanted and why, and allows the bereaved to feel comforted by the fact that they are able to give the deceased the farewell they wanted.

To read our report or watch a video on this community law reform project, visit: https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/project/funeral-and-burial-instructions/

31/07/2026

Have your say! We have extended the submission deadline for our review of how legal privilege operates in integrated legal assistance services to 18 August 2026.

Legal privilege is a fundamental legal right that allows people to keep their information shared with their lawyer private.

We are reviewing whether stronger protections are needed for confidential client information when legal assistance services are delivered alongside social support services.

We want to hear from people and organisations who have an interest, experience or expertise in these issues.

📣 We are calling for submissions by 𝟭𝟴 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.
🔗 Read the paper here: https://l1nq.com/39iusfs
🎧Listen to our podcast: https://l1nq.com/9axrupg
🔗 Make a submission: https://l1nq.com/z0b4io7

30/07/2026

We have released an issues paper for Stage 2 of our community law reform project on Family Violence Intervention Orders for children and young people.

The project is examining how children and young people participate in FVIO proceedings and whether reforms are needed to ensure their voices are heard and considered in decisions that affect them.

Our Chair, the Hon. Tony North KC says: "We are hearing that young people who have experienced family violence want to be involved in decisions about their own protection. Some young people do not feel recognised as victim survivors in their own right."

The issues paper includes questions to guide discussion and community responses about potential reform.

We are calling for submissions and want to hear from people with lived experience of the family violence intervention order system and those who have supported them.

📣𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟲 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

🔗𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿: https://sl1nk.com/0sx1yy9

🔗𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲: https://l1nq.com/vw4wgi0

27/07/2026

The Victorian Law Reform Commission will review the law on serious driving offences in Victoria.

The Attorney-General, the Hon Sonya Kilkenny, yesterday announced the inquiry, asking the Commission to review serious driving offences that criminalise driving that causes serious injury or death, or endangers life.

The independent review will consider a range of matters to ensure serious driving laws in Victoria remain strong, clear and fit for purpose.

As part of the review, the Commission will call for submissions and undertake community consultation before delivering its final report, including recommendations for reform.

Find out more and read the terms of reference: https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/news/review-of-serious-driving-offences-announced

Read the Attorney-General’s media release: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/stronger-dangerous-driving-laws-keep-victorians-safe

16/07/2026

We were delighted to join 3CR Community Radio's Done By Law program to talk about our current inquiry into legal privilege and integrated legal assistance services.

Hosts Boni Challenor and Jimi Muirhead interviewed VLRC Chair, the Hon. Anthony North KC, Team Leader Eve Gallagher, and Belinda Lo from Eastern Community Legal Centre about the challenges people experiencing disadvantage face when it comes to protecting their legal information from disclosure while accessing free legal and social services.

The discussion examines how the legal sector is navigating this complex issue and the potential options for reform explored in our consultation paper.

🎧 Listen on 3CR: https://bit.ly/4aTRhtz
Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/inquiry-into-legal-privilege-and-integrated-legal/id1345685488?i=1000776178197
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1U2zAqBvK74Iu7yUs5oAlD?si=yzC2GQq9Q5qXX3rQIfuHWQ

💬 Tell us what you think. Submissions close on 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 3 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁.
Find the consultation paper and information on how to make a submission at: https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/project/legal-privilege-and-integrated-legal-assistance-services/

Done By Law is presented by members of the Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria.

13/07/2026

Are stronger information protections needed for clients accessing free legal and social services?

Listen to our podcast. Tell us what you think.

In this episode of ‘Old Law, New Law’, we speak with VLRC Chair, Tony North and senior staff from three integrated legal assistance services in Victoria about ways of addressing the problems with keeping legal information private in these settings.

Listen on our website: https://bit.ly/4w5Ujnc
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4vpLCTi
Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4wICdHK

Submissions to our review of legal privilege and integrated legal assistance services close on Monday 3 August 2026.

Find out more at: https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/project/legal-privilege-and-integrated-legal-assistance-services/




Women's Legal Service Victoria

18/06/2026

Today we released our consultation paper on Legal Privilege and Integrated Legal Assistance Services.

Legal privilege is a fundamental legal right that allows people to keep their information shared with their lawyer private.

The VLRC is reviewing whether stronger protections are needed for confidential client information when legal assistance services are delivered alongside social support services.

Our Chair, the Hon. Tony North KC says: “For people navigating complex social and legal challenges, integrated legal assistance services can be life-changing, however the law on legal privilege hasn’t kept up with innovations in service delivery and the need for integrated care.”

We want to hear from people and organisations who have an interest, experience or expertise in these issues.

📣 We are calling for submission by 3 August 2026..
🔗 Read about the paper here: https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/news/legal-privilege-and-integrated-legal-assistance-services-consultation-paper-and-call-for-submissions/
🔗 Find out how to make a submission: https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/all-projects/make-a-submission/

03/06/2026

Our Law Reform in Action booklet has been updated, now featuring a new case study on our Stalking inquiry and recent implementation of recommendations.

The booklet outlines how law reform works in practice—from how we conduct inquiries and engage with the community to how we develop recommendations. With two recent case studies, it is a useful resource for students, educators and anyone interested in how laws are reviewed and improved in Victoria.

You can download the booklet, along with individual case studies, from our website.

As part of our education program, we also deliver school talks on the role of the Commission and our inquiries, including reports being studied in VCE Legal Studies.

These sessions give students a practical understanding of how we work and how law reform happens in a real-world context.
We can present at your school, online or at our CBD office.

Find out more about our educational resources and how to request a school talk at: https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/teachers-and-students/

18/05/2026

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.

Find and event to learn how the law works, get legal help, understand your rights and explore the justice system.

05/05/2026

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/