Author Archives: dashea2014

About dashea2014

A Law Librarian with extensive experience in general legal and court libraries. Editor of the Australian Law Librarian for 4.5 years (2008-2012) and active member of Law Libraries Tasmania. Special topics - Tasmanian legislation and case law. A passion for maintaining print resources.

New South Wales Marine Corps 1788-1791

Posted on 20/03/2019

When Captain Arthur Phillip arrived in Botany Bay in January 1788 with the First Fleet, he brought with him the first long-term British military presence to set foot in Australia, the New South Wales Marine Corps (later to be re-named … Continue reading →

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Law of Outlawry

Posted on 08/03/2019

In English law an outlaw was someone who had literally been put outside the protection of the law. Outlawry normally occurred because of a criminal or civil action, although the process could occasionally begin with a petition in parliament. Criminal … Continue reading →

Posted in Imperial legislation, Reception of English Law | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Draught Instructions for Governor Phillip 1787

Posted on 07/03/2019

  The Draught Instructions for Governor Phillip, 25 April 1787 set out the constitutional foundation of the Colony of New South Wales that would apply when Captain Arthur Phillip arrived at Botany Bay in 1878. The original Instructions that were … Continue reading →

Posted in Imperial legislation, Reception of English Law | Tagged | Leave a comment

Law and Order 1803-1826

Posted on 20/02/2019

There were two main tools used to enforce law and order in Van Diemen’s Land when the first white settlers and convicts arrived in 1803: justices of the peace who swore an oath to enforce “the Laws and Customs of … Continue reading →

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Third Charter of Justice establishes a Supreme Court in Van Diemen’s Land

Posted on 17/02/2019

One of the major recommendations of the Bigge Reports  was the need for Van Diemen’s Land to have its own court system. The 1823 Act for the Administration of Justice in New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land established Supreme … Continue reading →

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Application of the Second Charter of Justice to Van Diemen’s Land

Posted on 14/02/2019

The Second Charter of Justice maps the first part of the journey of Van Diemen’s Land from being a dependency of the Colony of New South Wales to having its own legislative and judicial systems. The Lieutenant Governor’s Court, presided … Continue reading →

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The operation of the First Charter of Justice in Van Diemen’s Land

Posted on 11/02/2019

When Governor Arthur Phillip arrived at Sydney Cove in January 1788 with 850 convicts, guards and officials, he had absolute authority over everyone in the colony, including the Aboriginal inhabitants. The legal basis for Phillip’s authority was the First Charter … Continue reading →

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