Lawyer Drought...

This was an interesting program. It is available in podcast if you are so inclined and technologically capable. Otherwise, you can just access the transcript and read what was said. Just go to the Law Report section on the ABC or follow this link.

The title of the program is a clever play on the fact that droughts tend to wreak the greatest havoc in rural areas, so it seems will a shortage of lawyers wreak a greater havoc in rural areas than in the larger urban areas.

A recent survey shows that the number of lawyers practicing in rural areas is declining fast and is set to decline even faster still in the coming years. Some 71% of the legal practitioners that are currently practicing in a number of areas believe that there are not enough lawyers to service their communities and that they feel the problem is only going to get worse.

It was interesting to see that what was really being lost from these communities was the pro bono work that local lawyers do for no other reason than it is of benefit to the community. It seems that young lawyers just cannot see a future in practicing law in rural areas, and they are always keen to return to the city or large urban areas.

The Law Council of Australia is currently running an initiative in an attempt to address this problem. You can find an article here.

Maybe I will have to complete my College of Law exams and go bush.

The Corby Saga

If these things were not really happening it would be one hell of an imagination that the person who wrote this story has. The Corby saga is becoming increasingly complex in the public sphere. It was probably always complex in the private sphere of the Corby world. But it is as much a case of hangers on and bit part extended family members looking for their 15 minutes of fame. In that way it is like a car crash that people just have to slow down and take a peak at before moving on.

It is interesting to think that Indonesia might want to investigate these claims about Michael Corby Sr any further, particularly in light of the fact the Queensland police have issued a statement saying that the informant on which the Lateline report relied on has not provided any information that would lead to the police being able to take further action. In fact the police were a little more forthright and stated that they have no evidence linking Michael Corby Sr to drugs or the drug trade.

By all accounts Michael Corby Sr was too lazy to be a drug runner and much preferred to have a beer with the fellas down the pub or sit on the couch at home in front of the TV also having a few beers. This characterization may well be true. It is hardly evidence that the bloke was not a drug smuggler or dealer. Rosleigh Rose, the ex-wife of Michael Corby Sr, went so far as to say that it was his beard that made him look bad. Perhaps bearded people are drug dealers and smugglers.

Anyway, this is another twist to a tale that is sure to have a few more yet.

Keep watching this space.

Mercedes Corby Denies Allegations

Mercedes Corby has denied the allegations that were aired on the ABC were lies and that she and her family can prove this. The Queensland Police have apparently issued a statement that they have no evidence linking Michael Corby Sr to the drug trafficking trade.

Mercedes Corby has recently won a defamation pay out against Channel 7 for an interview that they ran with Jody Powers where Powers alleged that Mercedes was involved in drug trafficking.

If Mercedes Corby and her family are sure that they can prove that Michael Corby Sr was never involved and that he has a clean police record, then this is another defamation case that might be worth pursuing. However, it seems that the Corby's are only asking for an apology.

The story continues.