Most Recent
You can’t have someone else’s day in court: Judge proposes solution to ‘litigious morass’
The legal watchdog’s latest case against the owners of a Melbourne law firm -- part of countless "collateral" proceedings between the parties -- should be fixed for a final hearing ASAP, a judge has said.
Judge OKs Banksia receiver’s $10M deal with Mark Elliott estate, notes perversity of trust law
A judge has given the greenlight to a $10 million settlement with entities linked to late solicitor and Banksia class action mastermind Mark Elliott, noting the “perverse” difficulty of recovering more of the $70 million in assets held on trust.
Uncertified lawyer with ‘vigorous social media presence’ should be struck from roll, tribunal says
A tribunal has recommended a solicitor who continued to advertise his legal services on social media after his practising certificate was revoked should be struck off the roll.
Silk reprimanded for ‘unwanted touching’ of solicitor at Christmas party
A Sydney silk has been reprimanded and fined $10,000 after he was found to have engaged in “unwanted touching” of a female solicitor at a work Christmas function in 2023. 
Banksia mastermind to pay $10M to group members, despite $70M in assets
Entities linked to the late solicitor Mark Elliott are set to pay $10 million to settle claims by Banksia class action members, despite a related company owning $70 million on trust, a court has heard. 
Judge from Maurice Blackburn puts self-imposed ban on firm’s cases
A judge has recused himself from hearing a class action against Fletcher Building, and has imposed a ban on presiding over any cases involving Maurice Blackburn for a period of time.
Shine client can’t get costs agreement set aside despite 600% increase
A Queensland tribunal has refused to set aside a costs agreement between Shine Lawyers and a former client, despite invoices blowing out to more than six times the original estimate, finding the matter had already been dealt with in a costs assessment. 
Legal admissions board in WA victim of cyberattack
The Legal Practice Board in Western Australia has confirmed it was the victim of a data breach, with the bank details of the board and a small number of practitioners said to have been accessed.
Tesa wants Full Court to resolve judicial conflict on apprehension of bias
Mining company Tesa Group wants the Full Federal Court to settle a conflict in judicial opinions on whether remarks made in parliament can factor into recusal applications. 
Judge recuses herself from case, citing ‘friendly’ relationship with legal watchdog CEO
A judge has recused herself from hearing the Victorian legal watchdog’s case against the owners of a law firm, saying she was "fortified" in that choice due to concerns raised about her longstanding relationship with the regulator’s CEO.