$25 million in costs… and counting… Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Ben Roberts-Smith loses FCAFC appeal Last week the FCAFC dismissed Ben Roberts-Smith high profile defamation appeal which sought to overturn findings that found on the balance of probabilities

How can lawyers can contribute to the maintenance of our democratic system? Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. FCAFC publishes open court reasons in BRS matter Last week the FCAFC published open court reasons for dismissing Ben Roberts-Smith’s high profile defamation

1.2m views for most-watched FCA livestream Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Bell CJ issues statement re bail NSW CJ Andrew Bell has issued a public statement "designed to facilitate public understanding of the operation of the bail laws in New South Wales”. In the

Bret Walker SC to represent Russian Federation, Susan Kenny AM KC appears on Federal Court podcast... Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Walker SC to represent Government of the Russian Federation Top barrister Bret Walker SC (along with Elliot Hyde) has been briefed

Former Senator's appeal dismissed.... Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy now in force Amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) which provide a statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy are now in force. A notable

125 years and counting... Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Trials to be aborted due to court flooding Some part-heard NSW trials will be aborted as a result of flooding last week at the Downing Centre court complex. The flooding was caused by a burst water main and

Sov cits and badly behaving lawyers... Here's a thread of last week's Australian legal news. 1. Sovereign citizens get 30 days in prison Solomon J of the WASC has “regrettably” had to sentence sovereign citizens to 30 days in prison for contempt of court (for deliberately

50% of 120 partners women, Christian Porter billing $7k/day and judge cites Oliver Twist and Goldilocks. Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Judge quotes Goldilocks and Oliver Twist In a matter relating to the defection of EY partners to a global competitor, Justice

Lawyers or dentists: who's more miserable? Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Former Supreme Court judge accused of sexual harassment In a complaint to the NT Anti-Discrimination Commission, an associate of a former Northern Territory judge has accused the judge they

Sofronoff livestream today, plus grad lawyer salaries pushing $130k… Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Sofronoff v ACT Integrity Commission A two-day livestreamed hearing in Walter Sofronoff KC’s proceedings against the ACT Integrity Commission commences today in

Former HCA judge retires from the Bar... Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Google threatens to sue over Aus social media ban Google has written to the federal Communications Minister indicating it is considering legal action if YouTube is captured by Australian laws

Pro tip - don't call the magistrate a "raving feminist"... Here’s some legal news from the past week. 1. Tickle v Giggle appeal today Today a livestreamed hearing in the Tickle v Giggle matter begins in the FCAFC (link in today’s newsletter). The appeal relates to a finding by

Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Clive Palmer claims lawyer misappropriated $30m Clive Palmer alleges that his former lawyer, Sam Iskander, misappropriated up to $30 million from his businesses. It appears the allegation relates to the altering / doctoring of

Fun fact - judges actually love hallucinated case citations. Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Biggest Australian AI legal bungle yet? In a recent decision, Justice James Elliott of the Victorian Supreme Court had stern words for lawyers who filed documents

Sovereign citizen tried to arrest magistrate… Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Test case for new privacy laws Victorian deputy Liberal leader and former professional tennis player Sam Groth, and his wife Brittany, have filed proceedings in the FCA against the

Worst AI hallucinated citation yet? Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. Erin Patterson sentencing livestream Today Justice Beale of the Victorian Supreme Court will sentence mushroom-murderer Erin Patterson. The sentencing will be livestreamed from 9:30 am AEST. Link

The Federal Court of Australia (Federal Court of Australia) is conducting a survey re its use of social media. The survey is intended to help the FCA better understand its audience, the types of content people find most useful, and types of content people would like to see in the future.

Partner at 29... Here’s the legal buzz from the past week. 1. 65 new positions at ODPP Last week the NSW ODPP announced that an additional 65 full-time equivalent positions have been approved for the 25/26 financial year. This will bring the overall staff working at the NSW