NCJ Number
58087
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THIS 1977 ANNUAL REPORT, ISSUED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF TASMANIA, DETAILS THE ORGANIZATION, EXPENDITURES, AND ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION AND PROGRESS IN EFFECTING THE UNIFORMITY OF LAWS.
Abstract
THE COMMISSION COMPRISES A CHAIRMAN, A DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE TASMANIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA, AND OTHER FIELDS AS NOMINATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE POSITION OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS HELD BY ONE PERSON. NINE REGULAR MEETINGS WERE HELD BY THE COMMISSION IN 1977. IN ADDITION, NUMEROUS COMMITTEES WERE APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE SPECIFIC PROJECTS AND MAKE REPORTS BACK TO THE COMMISSION. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED TO EXPLORE A REHABILITATION COURSE FOR DISQUALIFIED DRIVERS, AND A MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE ATTENDED THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND TRAFFIC SAFETY IN JANUARY 1977. THE OVERALL BUDGET FOR THE COMMISSION WAS ESTIMATED AT $47,800 FOR THE YEAR, ALTHOUGH THE LEGISLATURE CUT THIS FIGURE TO $41,000. WORK OF THE COMMISSION ENCOMPASSED REPORTS SUBMITTED, THE STATUS OF OUTSTANDING RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS (REFORM OF CIVIL PROCEDURES, DISPOSAL OF UNCOLLECTED AND FOUND GOODS, ASPECTS OF INSURANCE LAW, EXCLUSION CLAUSES AND IMPLIED OBLIGATIONS IN CONTRACTS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES, LAW AND PROCEDURE OF CORROBORATION, AND CIVIL DISABILITIES OF CONVICTS), RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BUT NOT YET GRANTED OR REFUSED (INSANITY AND DIMINISHED RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUES RELATED TO CONFESSIONS, TRIALS WITHIN TRIALS, AND UNSWORN STATEMENTS OF THE ACCUSED), SUGGESTIONS FOR LAW REFORM, AND CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS. THE COMMISSION BELIEVES THAT ITS WORK MIGHT BE MORE USEFUL TO THE GOVERNMENT IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SUBMIT ITS VIEWS ON REPORTS SUBMITTED BY THE COMMISSION AND ON THE ROLE OF THE COMMISSION IN GENERAL. THE COMMISSION IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE APPARENT LACK OF COMMUNITY INTEREST IN ITS ACTIVITIES DESPITE PRESS PUBLICITY AND PERIODIC ADVERTISEMENTS. THE COMMISSION IS OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS FROM GOVERNMENT AS TO WHETHER ASSISTANCE IS DESIRED IN AREAS DEALING WITH UNIFORM LAW REFORM. THE FUTURE OF THE COMMISSION AND LIAISON BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND LAW REFORM AGENCIES AND OTHERS ARE DISCUSSED. APPENDIXES LIST REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED SINCE THE COMMISSION BECAME OPERATIONAL IN 1974 THROUGH 1977. (DEP)