The High Court has refused to throw out a personal injury case over 55-year-old child sexual abuse claims, despite the death of the alleged perpetrator and most relevant witnesses, saying a permanent stay is a “measure of last resort”.
Reflecting on her early ascension to the bench, retiring High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel has said the advancement of women in the legal profession may be better served by women staying at the bar.
The legal community has welcomed the appointment of Justice Stephen Gageler to be the 14th chief justice of the High Court, praising the judge for his “deep humanity” and unmatchable expertise in constitutional law.
The legal sector has welcomed NSW Supreme Court Justice Robert Beech-Jones’ elevation to the highest court in Australia, with former colleagues noting his legal acumen and generosity.
The High Court has found a Whitsundays resort is not vicariously liable for the actions of an employee who urinated on his roommate in staff accommodation after a night of drinking, finding the act had “no real connection” to his employment.
The High Court has ruled that the buyer of a well-known Sydney hotel was not entitled to repudiate the purchase agreement because of the hotel’s compliance with restrictions on public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the operation of the business.
Chief Justice Susan Kiefel has decried the low number of women barristers appearing in the High Court, questioning whether there is a “price” to pay for state and federal policies focused on appointing more female judges.
Google has won its appeal of a judgment awarded to gangland lawyer George Defteros that found the tech giant liable for linking to an allegedly defamatory article, with the High Court finding Google was not the publisher of the story.
The High Court has reinstated a $435,000 judgment awarded to a former lawyer who suffered post-traumatic stress disorder while working for the Special Sexual Offences unit in Victoria’s Office of Public Prosecutions.
The High Court has declined a special leave application by Clive Palmer-owned mining firms challenging a judgment which ordered the billionaire to repay a $102 million loan taken out from Queensland Nickel prior to its collapse in 2016.