Tasmanian Law Handbook

The Tasmanian Law Handbook is an introduction to the law for people who would like to know more about the law. They could be coming into contact with the legal system, or be facing a neighbourhood dispute, or a disagreement with government; they might just be looking to know more about the law. This handbook is intended to be accessible to anyone who needs to know more about how the law might affect their life.

The handbook has been divided into a number of sections to address the subjects that most commonly arise as issues for people. This includes such topic areas as ‘Housing’, ‘Government’, ‘Community’, and ‘Criminal Law’.

Elements of the Criminal Justice System

• The Law
• The Court System
• Aspects of Crime and Punishment
• Appearing in Court
• Legal Assistance
• The Legal Profession
• Self-Representation

Crime and Punishment

• Search and Arrest
• After Arrest
• Offences under the Police Offences Act and the Criminal Code
• Drug Offences
• Sexual Offences
• The Firearms Act 1996
• Family Violence
• Traffic and Parking Offences
• Youth Justice
• Victims of Crime
• Sentencing
• Prison and Prisoners

Work and workers

• Employment law
• Workplace Health & Safety
• Worker’s Compensation

Rights, disability and access

• Children's Rights
• Disability
• Aboriginal Law
• Intellectual Property and Copyright
• Discrimination
• Defamation

Family law

• Relationships
• Property and Maintenance
• Parental Responsibility - Who the Child Lives With and Communicates With
• Separation and Divorce
• Child Maintenance
• Adoption

Accidents and insurance

• Negligence
• Motor Vehicles
• Insurance

Wills, estates, funerals and guardianship

• Wills, estates and funerals
• Guardianship and Administration for Adults

Consumers, money and debts

• Australian Consumer Law
• Contract
• Debt
• Bankruptcy

Government, administration and justice

• Ombudsman
• Tasmania - Right to information
• Commonwealth - Freedom of information
• Privacy law in Tasmania
• Privacy in Commonwealth law

Administrative law - Challenging government decisions

• Administrative Law and Review
• Tasmanian Review Processes
• Commonwealth Review Processes
• Grounds for Judicial Review

Income and Government Assistance

• Superannuation
• Taxation
• Tasmanian Government Assistance
• Social Security

Community and environment

• Neighbourhood Disputes
• Community Organisations
• Dogs, Cats, and Animal Control
• Environment
• Immigration and Citizenship
• Internet Law and Internet Commerce
• Road Rules for Cyclists and Skaters

Housing – renting and buying

• Public Housing
• Planning and Development Controls
• Residential Tenancy
• Buying and Selling Real Estate

Medical treatments and medical products

• Medical treatment and health products
• Mental health