This Month
CFMEU treats $19m in fines as ‘cost of doing business’
Judges have constantly called out the rogue union while issuing workplace penalties of about $19 million since 2016 – including the latest on Thursday.
- Updated
Chief justice intervenes in tax plan for judges
Federal Court Chief Justice Debbie Mortimer has also banned judges using their travel allowance for conferences.
‘Give her a go’: New judge blasts ‘painfully slow’ progress for women
Jane Needham blasted the “painfully slow” progress of women in law and urged barristers to consider briefing “that young woman who went to a school you haven’t heard of”.
- Exclusive
- Legal industry
The Federal Court turmoil that’s destroying staff morale
The Federal Court is grappling with high executive turnover, a troubled technology transformation and fallout from a document access regime that has upset media and judges.
Unions hail return of $35m Industrial Court
Unions NSW boss Mark Morey says the court will “help moderate the excesses” of the federal system.
- Analysis
- Legal industry
Santos takes aim at ‘cause lawyering’ in Barossa fight
The resources giant is going for the jugular in its fight with the Environmental Defenders Office over the NT gas pipeline.
June
Meet the most expensive lawyer in Australia
Tax specialist Mark Robertson, KC, is in a league of his own, charging $6250 an hour and $50,000 for an eight-hour day.
How the land rights game changed with Juukan Gorge
Since the destruction of Juukan Gorge by Rio Tinto in 2020, there is a higher bar for native title agreements and increased approval times.
- Updated
The man who made ‘saintly’ judge lose his cool
A biography of Sir Gerard Brennan reveals the family man who will be remembered for his Mabo judgment.
High Court rejects tax break for Dubai ruler’s horse stud
The High Court has ruled that racing and breeding giant Godolphin cannot claim a tax exemption for rural land.
- Updated
- Explainer
- Indigenous justice
What can Indigenous groups do with native title?
Unlike native title rights in other countries, the Mabo decision provided only a limited bundle of rights that must be tied back to a group’s traditional laws and customs. Here’s how it works.
How the High Court ‘stunned’ Eddie Mabo’s lawyers and saved the case
Three decades later, members of Mabo case’s legal team reflect on the moment that turned their approach to the historic land rights case.
Mabo hasn’t closed the gap, even in the Pilbara
Two of the lawyers behind the landmark claim by land rights activist Eddie Mabo say native title “hasn’t spread the wealth evenly”.
May
Lehrmann files appeal without lawyers
Bruce Lehrmann has told the Federal Court he will appeal against the finding at his defamation trial that he raped former colleague Brittany Higgins.
- Updated
No more ‘go-away’ money as companies take class actions to court
Corporate Australia will no longer pay “go-away” money to avoid shareholder class actions after plaintiff firms lost five major cases in a row, a trend lawyers said would encourage more boards to fight cases in the courts.
Supreme Court turns 200, with a didgeridoo salute
An Indigenous barrister and musician had lead roles in a ceremony to mark the bicentenary of the NSW Supreme Court.
Directors welcome ‘no change’ report on disclosure laws
A review of continuous disclosure laws says the end of the no-fault regime for class actions has had no impact on “meritorious” claims
HWL Ebsworth anoints ‘co-pilots’ to replace the late Juan Martinez
Australia’s largest legal partnership, HWL Ebsworth, has new leaders who are hoping for “not such a combative relationship with the media”.
- Analysis
- Social media
X ruling marks the spot for online police
Elon Musk has overreach by Australia’s eSafety commissioner to thank for an important victory in the courts.
War crimes whistleblower jailed for nearly six years
David McBride, who leaked documents that revealed allegations Australian soldiers committed war crimes, will spend at least two years and three months behind bars.
