Victorian Numbered Acts

JURY DIRECTIONS ACT 2015 (NO. 14 OF 2015) - SECT 54

Any rule of common law under which a trial judge is required to direct the jury that—

        (a)     a complainant's delay in making a complaint or lack of complaint may cast doubt on the reliability of the complainant's evidence; and

        (b)     the jury should take this into account when evaluating the credibility of the allegations made by the complainant—

is abolished.

Notes

1     This provision abolishes the rules attributed to
Kilby v R [1973] HCA 30; (1973) 129 CLR 460 and  Crofts v R [1996] HCA 22; (1996) 186 CLR 427.

2     Section 4 applies generally to override any rule of law or practice to the contrary of this Act.

Part 6—Family violence