Court decisions that have changed the course of society, and those caught in the crossfire

Every day, law courts make decisions in cases that change the lives of those involved, and society itself.

Just Cases is a podcast series hosted by Melissa Castan and produced by the Monash law school that takes you behind the judgments, and unearths the stories of those caught in the crossfire.

“These episodes show us some of the best and the worst of what the law can do, and it's a unique opportunity to have our experts uncover the human dimensions of the law,” Melissa Castan said

EPISODE 1: A dagger at the heart of society

In the middle of World War I, the Australian government launches a stinging attack on an international 'extremist' network of German sympathisers. When a policeman is murdered in a small country town, the stage is set for a showdown between his killers and a political system with everything to lose.

Host: Melissa Castan

Storyteller: Dr Stephen Gray, Monash Law School

Producer: James Pattison

EPISODE 2: Help! I crashed my Uber

In the gig economy our cars, spare rooms and spare time have become handy money-earners. But sometimes things don't go as planned. If you're an Airbnb host, an Uber driver or Deliveroo cyclist and you injure someone else on the job, who has to cough up the money?

Host: Melissa Castan

Storyteller: Dr Joanna Kyriakakis, Monash Law School

Producer: James Pattison

EPISODE 3: How you can be detained for life without trial

The story of Ahmed Al-Kateb has far-reaching consequences for individual liberty in Australia. One constitutional law expert describes this "shocking case" as one which "shows us how even very clever judges sitting on the High Court can sometimes make terrible mistakes".

Host: Melissa Castan

Storyteller: Associate Professor Patrick Emerton, Monash Law School

Producer: James Pattison

EPISODE 4: They don't teach you this at law school

June 1996. Late at night, two young men cross paths on a Sydney street. When the sun rises the following morning, one of them will be found dead. The events of that evening are murky, but the resulting court case is unprecedented - and we still feel its effects.

Host: Melissa Castan

Storyteller: Dr Kate Seear

Producer: James Pattison