Public protest: Criminalisation and policing trends in Australia and the UK
What you'll learn
CPD areas: Substantive law; Professional skills
Across Australia and the UK, the legal regulation of public protest has undergone significant change. In Australia, governments at federal and state level have introduced a series of laws that criminalise forms of protest — from obstructing public places to using devices associated with direct action. In the England and Wales, successive statutes since 2022 have created new protest-specific criminal offences, expanded police powers to impose conditions on protests, and introduced civil prevention orders targeting repeat protesters.
This webinar examines the form and features of these criminal law developments comparatively: the types of conduct being criminalised; the expanding intersection between protest regulation and hate crime; and the breadth of police discretion in enforcement. It also considers how the changing nature of protest — including disruptive direct action and large-scale demonstrations involving diverse and competing groups — has shaped legislation, and whether constitutional protections such as Australia's implied freedom of political communication and the UK's Human Rights Act provide an effective check on the reach of criminal and public order law in this area.
Once enrolled, you will be provided a link to the recording and can watch on demand from Thursday 25 June 2026.
Presenters: Dr Richard Martin & Prof Simon Bronitt
2026/27 Criminal Law
CPD Series
This webinar is part of the 2026/27 Criminal Law CPD Series features eight recorded webinars led by experts from the University of Sydney and the legal profession.
The webinars share practical knowledge and experience, as well as the latest developments to enhance your expertise while meeting CPD requirements. You'll have the flexibility to access the content at your convenience, allowing you to engage at your own pace from any location at any time.
Enrolment options include:
- Enrol in individual webinars*
- Enrol in the entire series at a 27% saving compared to enrolling in webinars individually*
- Enrol in 5 or more webinars to receive a 10% discount
University of Sydney alumni and staff are eligible to receive a further 10% discount.
See the SeriesCPD accreditation
Information for lawyers and barristers
If this educational activity is relevant to your professional development and practice of the law, then you should claim 1.5 MCLE/CPD points per webinar or 12 units for the full series. Practitioners are advised to check with the CPD governing body in their jurisdiction for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Find out about interstate accreditation.
This course is designed for lawyers and barristers aiming to meet their annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. It's also suitable for anyone interested in staying informed about the latest developments in criminal law.
This is a pre-recorded online webinar. Once enrolled, you will be provided a link to the recording and can watch on demand from Thursday, 27 February 2025.
Materials
All course materials are delivered online via a video link and password provided by email at the time of enrolment.
Software
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Please see our Payment Options for further information.
I have enrolled in a Sydney Short Courses course, what happens now?
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Upcoming classes
Related courses
Facilitators
Simon Bronitt