Legal Reporting Awards 2015 winners

Media Release

Victoria Law Foundation last night recognised more than eighteen media professionals for excellence in legal journalism at the Legal Reporting Awards 2015.

The Age, ABC TV, 774 ABC Melbourne, the Bendigo Advertiser and the Geelong Advertiser were among a diverse cross-section of winners recognised across 12 award categories.

Reporter of the year on legal issues was awarded to the Geelong Advertiser’s Anthea Cannon. Her portfolio of work demonstrated excellence in reporting of the courts, legal issues and the justice system – including interviews with key players in trails after judgments and exposure of shortcomings in the justice system in Geelong.

Nicole Ferrie from the Bendigo Advertiser took out the Columb Brennan Award for excellence in court-reporting. The judges congratulated Nicole Ferrie for her sustained coverage of the Harley Hicks trial and her insights into the courtroom.

The Tony Smith Award for reporting which promotes an understanding of the work of the courts was won by Steve Butcher from The Age. His entry demonstrated exemplary detail and context to explain controversial sentencing decisions in a number of different cases.

Victoria Law Foundation Executive Director Joh Kirby commended the outstanding quality of the entries.

‘There was a high volume of entries, making the task of judging very difficult,’ Ms Kirby said. ‘I congratulate all entrants for their hard work in conveying complex legal issues in a manner that is easy to understand by the general community.’

The Legal Reporting Awards are presented in partnership with the Supreme Court of Victoria. Entries were judged by a committee of representatives from Victoria's courts, VCAT and media and communications experts.

See the full list of recipients for the Legal Reporting Awards 2015.

Media enquiries
Communications Manager
Telephone: (03) 9604 8100
Email: contact@victorialawfoundation.org.au