The evolution of bias: spectrums, species and the weary lay observer

Article


Young, Simon. 2017. "The evolution of bias: spectrums, species and the weary lay observer." Melbourne University Law Review. 41 (2), pp. 928-956.
Article Title

The evolution of bias: spectrums, species and the weary lay observer

ERA Journal ID33616
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorYoung, Simon
Journal TitleMelbourne University Law Review
Journal Citation41 (2), pp. 928-956
Number of Pages28
Year2017
PublisherMelbourne University Press
Place of PublicationAustralia
ISSN0025-8938
Web Address (URL)http://www6.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/journals/MULR//2017/42.html
Abstract

This article explores how Australian courts have grappled with the challenges of changing context and a frenetic case load in their application of the rule against bias. In their efforts to keep this sacrosanct rule relevant and coherent they have employed three key tools of ‘calibration’: the ‘fair-minded lay observer’, the spectrum of standards, and a (re)emerging technique of sub-categorisation or ‘speciation’. The lay observer has wearied, becoming awkwardly indistinct in important contexts; the spectrum approach has enjoyed an expanding importance but now appears to have reached its high-water mark; however, the ‘speciation’ approach has shown its precision and is perhaps the key to the next generation of cases. This article re-maps the bias rule in Australia by reference to these three tools of calibration, thereby placing the accumulating critique of the ‘lay observer’ test into clearer context. It also offers some predictions on the law’s future trajectory.

Keywordsadministrative law, natural justice, procedural fairness, bias, legal evolution
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020480502. Civil procedure
480701. Administrative law
480499. Law in context not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Law and Justice
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q4756/the-evolution-of-bias-spectrums-species-and-the-weary-lay-observer

Download files


Published Version
Young-412-Advance.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 1065
    total views
  • 730
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Swanbank Power Station (former) CMP: A preliminary Conservation Management Plan prepared for CleanCo Queensland Ltd for the Swanbank Clean Energy Hub
Hill, Susan, Pocock, Celmara, Batorowicz, Beata, Gharineiat, Zahra and Young, Simon. 2024. Swanbank Power Station (former) CMP: A preliminary Conservation Management Plan prepared for CleanCo Queensland Ltd for the Swanbank Clean Energy Hub. Australia. University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/z8819
Indigenous Rights in Freshwater: Mapping the Contested Space in Australia, New Zealand and Canada
Young, Simon, Down, Sarah and Mascher, Sharon. 2023. "Indigenous Rights in Freshwater: Mapping the Contested Space in Australia, New Zealand and Canada." Environmental and Planning Law Journal. 39 (3), pp. 276-301.
The Blue Sky Effect: a repatriation of judicial review or a search for flexibility?
Young, Simon. 2020. "The Blue Sky Effect: a repatriation of judicial review or a search for flexibility?" Australian Journal of Administrative Law. 27 (3), pp. 165-179.
Transparent triage policies during the COVID-19 pandemic: a critical part of medico-legal risk management for clinicians
Close, Eliana, Willmott, Lindy, Cockburn, Tina, Young, Simon, Cairns, Will and White, Ben P.. 2021. "Transparent triage policies during the COVID-19 pandemic: a critical part of medico-legal risk management for clinicians." Medical Journal of Australia. 215 (2), pp. 71-74.e1. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51079
Legal challenges to ICU triage decisions in the COVID-19 pandemic: How effectively does the law regulate bedside rationing decisions in Australia?
Close, Eliana, Young, Simon, Cockburn, Tina, Willmott, Lindy and White, Ben P.. 2021. "Legal challenges to ICU triage decisions in the COVID-19 pandemic: How effectively does the law regulate bedside rationing decisions in Australia?" University of New South Wales Law Journal. 44 (1), pp. 9-59. https://doi.org/10.53637/FSJG1698
If COVID hospitalisations increase, it’s still not clear how patients will be prioritised for ICU beds
Close, Eliana, White, Ben, Willmott, Lindy, Young, Simon, Cockburn, Tina and Cairns, Will. 2021. "If COVID hospitalisations increase, it’s still not clear how patients will be prioritised for ICU beds." The Conversation. 27 October 2021, pp. 1-4.
Commentary: members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v Victoria (2002) 214 CLR 422
Young, Simon. 2021. "Commentary: members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v Victoria (2002) 214 CLR 422." Watson, Nicole and Douglas, Heather (ed.) Indigenous legal judgments: bringing Indigenous voices into judicial decision making. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 92-96
The 'Blue Sky effect': a repatriation of judicial review grounds or a search for flexibility?
Young, Simon. 2020. "The 'Blue Sky effect': a repatriation of judicial review grounds or a search for flexibility?" AIAL Forum. 2020 (98), pp. 54-69.
Constitutional promises of Indigenous recognition: Canada, Vanuatu and the challenges of pluralism
Corrin, Jennifer and Young, Simon. 2019. "Constitutional promises of Indigenous recognition: Canada, Vanuatu and the challenges of pluralism." Common Law World Review. 48 (4), pp. 233-265. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473779519891623
The increments of justice: exploring the outer reach of Akiba's edge towards native title 'ownership'
Young, Simon. 2019. "The increments of justice: exploring the outer reach of Akiba's edge towards native title 'ownership'." University of New South Wales Law Journal. 42 (3), pp. 825-868. https://doi.org/10.53637/PZOJ4201
'The difficulties of communication encountered by Indigenous peoples’: moving beyond Indigenous deficit in the model admission rules for legal practitioners
Burns, Marcelle, Young, Simon and Nielsen, Jennifer. 2018. "'The difficulties of communication encountered by Indigenous peoples’: moving beyond Indigenous deficit in the model admission rules for legal practitioners." Legal Education Review. 28 (2), pp. 1-27.
From the bike to the bus: the Noongar Native Title settlement
Young, Simon. 2013. "From the bike to the bus: the Noongar Native Title settlement." Native Title Newsletter.
The troubled sequel: Canadian aboriginal title revisited in the BC Court of Appeal
Young, Simon. 2012. "The troubled sequel: Canadian aboriginal title revisited in the BC Court of Appeal." Australian Property Law Bulletin. 26 (10), pp. 147-150.
Rights-based 'recognition': the Canadian experience
Mascher, Sharon and Young, Simon. 2016. "Rights-based 'recognition': the Canadian experience." Young, Simon, Nielsen, Jennifer and Patrick, Jeremy (ed.) Constitutional recognition of first peoples in Australia - theories and comparative perspectives. Leichhardt, NSW, Australia. Federation Press. pp. 176-205
Synergy or skirmish? The collaboration of law and anthropology
Young, Simon. 2016. "Synergy or skirmish? The collaboration of law and anthropology." Bright, Susan and Blandy, Sarah (ed.) Researching property law. London, United Kingdom. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 145-163
A climate for change? The 2009 Native Title report
Young, Simon. 2010. "A climate for change? The 2009 Native Title report." Indigenous Law Bulletin. 7 (18), pp. 20-24.
Privative clauses: politics, legality and the constitutional dimension
Young, Simon. 2014. "Privative clauses: politics, legality and the constitutional dimension." Groves, Matthew (ed.) Modern administrative law in Australia: concepts and context. Port Melbourne. Cambridge University Press. pp. 276-297
Law and anthropology: the unhappy marriage?
Young, Simon. 2014. "Law and anthropology: the unhappy marriage?" Property Law Review. 2014 (3), pp. 236-246.
The trouble with tradition: native title and cultural change
Young, Simon. 2008. The trouble with tradition: native title and cultural change. Sydney, Australia. Federation Press.
Administrative law in Australia
Lane, W. B. and Young, Simon. 2007. Administrative law in Australia. Sydney, Australia. Lawbook Co..
Cultural timelessness and colonial tethers: Australian native title in historical and comparative perspective
Young, Simon. 2008. "Cultural timelessness and colonial tethers: Australian native title in historical and comparative perspective." Australian Indigenous Law Review. 12, pp. 60-68.
Law and custom - 'Tradition': the assembly of a legal microscope [submitted to Australian Law Reform Commission]
Young, Simon. 2009. Law and custom - 'Tradition': the assembly of a legal microscope [submitted to Australian Law Reform Commission]. Unpublished.
Native title in Canada and Australia post Tsilhqot'in: shared thinking or ships in the night?
Young, Simon. 2009. "Native title in Canada and Australia post Tsilhqot'in: shared thinking or ships in the night?" Land, Rights, Laws: Issues of Native Title. 4 (2), pp. 1-16.
Probing the frontiers of administrative law
Johnston, Peter, Young, Simon, Hooker, Richard and Pontre, Tom. 2011. "Probing the frontiers of administrative law." ALIAL Forum. 67, pp. 1-34.
An elegant convergence? The constitutional entrenchment of 'jurisdictional error' review in Australia
Young, Simon and Murray, Sarah. 2011. "An elegant convergence? The constitutional entrenchment of 'jurisdictional error' review in Australia." Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal. 11 (2), pp. 117-142.
Tides of history and jurisprudential gulfs: Native title proof and the Noongar Western Australia claim
Young, Simon. 2010. "Tides of history and jurisprudential gulfs: Native title proof and the Noongar Western Australia claim." Indigenous Law Journal. 8 (1), pp. 95-120.
One step forward and one step back: the Noongar South-West Native Title Claim
Young, Simon. 2008. "One step forward and one step back: the Noongar South-West Native Title Claim." Australian Property Law Bulletin. 23 (2), pp. 14-17.