Squiz Shortcuts: How civil and criminal courts differ

We hear about big court cases in the news all the time - but the outcomes of civil and criminal cases in Oz can be very different, even if the underlying facts are similar… One of the key differences between the 2 systems is the standard of proof that has to be met. It’s a factor that’s not always clear, so in this Squiz Shortcut we’ll try to help with that, and also explain where else civil and criminal courts differ and why the system works this way. Squiz Recommends:  Reading: This piece from The Guardian about how Ben Roberts-Smith’s criminal trial for alleged war crimes will differ from the defamation case he brought against the Nine newspapers…  SPONSORED - For practical tips, guidance and tools to help you prepare, visit xero.com/paydaysuper Got a suggestion for a Squiz Shortcut topic? We'd love to hear it - email us at [email protected] ⁠Squiz Shortcuts⁠ is your back story to the big news stories… Want the email version? Sign up for the free Shortcuts newsletter here.