Public law

The High Court is hearing two challenges to the government's kids social media ban this week, with Reddit arguing the Commonwealth “cannot justify” the burden on the freedom of political communication.

A judge has rejected plans for a motel development at the Gold Creek Country Club in Canberra, finding the physical features of the development were more consistent with long-term accommodation than a motel.

The Federal Court is grappling with “substantial and evolving” pressures as the number of filings rose to 6,010 over the past year, including an “exponential rise” in the numbers of self-represented litigants.

The advocacy group that's challenging the government's under-16s social media ban has hit back at the Commonwealth’s allegation that it lacks standing, telling the High Court the ban is having “profound” effects on its members. 

3M has told a judge that a key issue in the Commonwealth’s $2 billion case over PFAS contamination will be whether class action settlements can mitigate its limitations defence to a misleading and deceptive conduct claim. 

Chevron has defended the offshore petroleum regulator's approval of activities related to its Gorgon gas development, saying its environmental plan contained an "extensive" assessment of greenhouse gas emissions. 

The government has hit back at a High Court case by two high school students alleging its under-16s social media ban infringes on the implied freedom of political communication, arguing that any restriction is justified. 

A judge has held that the former environment minister's finding that part of the McPhillamy's gold mine was heritage protected was invalid. 

A judge has approved a $550 million settlement in a class action over the Morrison government’s Robodebt scheme but has halved a funder’s payout to $35 million, despite arguments that it was unprecedented to award a single digit percentage commission. 

The funder that backed a class action over the Morrison government’s Robodebt scheme, which settled for a record $548.5 million, is seeking a $71 million commission, but a contradictor has told the court a $23 million cut will suffice.