Business of Law
Silks get 43% pay bump for government work
The Attorney-General has raised the maximum pay rates for barristers doing government work for the first time in 14 years, but the rates still pale in comparison to what counsel can charge private clients.
Business of Law
Leading class action lawyer leaves Jones Day for Thomson Geer
One of the country's leading class action lawyers has left Jones Day for Thomson Geer, the third litigation partner to depart the US-based firm in recent months.
Appeals
Full Court finds Marsh didn’t breach Harman obligation in Greensill case
Insurer Marsh has successfully appealed a finding that it breached its obligation not to use documents discovered in litigation over the $7 billion collapse of supply chain finance firm Greensill in separate proceedings.
Politics
Pauline Hanson, Brian Burston settle discrimination suit
Pauline Hanson and Brian Burston have quietly settled a lawsuit in which Hanson alleged that Burston subjected her to victimisation in breach of the Sex Discrimination Act after she publicly accused him of sexually harassing female staff.
Legal Ethics
Queensland solicitor reprimanded after being ‘duped’ by fake lawyer
A Queensland solicitor has been reprimanded for trust account irregularities after she was "duped" by the director of an incorporated legal practice who pretended to be a qualified lawyer.
Intellectual Property
Aristocrat’s trade secrets case against Light & Wonder settles for $190M
Gaming company Light & Wonder will pay $190 million to settle Aristocrat’s litigation in Australia and the United States alleging it misappropriated trade secrets in developing two poker machines.
Social Media
Meta removed 544,000 kids accounts in first month of social media ban
Meta has sharply criticised Australia's social media ban for children after confirming it removed over half a million Facebook, Instagram and Threads accounts in the first month of the ban.
Technology
eSafety Commissioner raises concerns with X over Grok AI use
The online regulator wants more information from X Corp about the safeguards built into its AI feature Grok, after a reported increase in its use to create sexualised or exploitative imagery.
Public law
Protesters challenging police powers face Victoria’s summary judgment bid
Protesters bringing a constitutional challenge over the declaration of the Melbourne CBD as a 'designated area' want to join a third person to the case after the police assistant commissioner argued the current applicants have no standing.
Employment
Svitzer took adverse action with exec’s ‘snap’ decision to ax port manager: court
Marine towage giant Svitzer took adverse action against a port manager who was dismissed in the “snap decision” of an executive irritated by the manager's lack of excitement when offered a lower-paid role as part of a restructure.
