Analysis

Vexatious recusal applications by self-represented litigants are on the rise, according to the peak body for judicial officers in Australia, and they increasingly involve “unwarranted intrusions” into judges' personal lives that would not be allowed in any other workplace.

A landmark case over the expansion of Mach Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine will go to the High Court next week, marking the first time the court considers whether planning authorities have to consider the local climate impacts of fossil fuel projects.

Renewable energy projects are moving away from rigid, long-term tolling agreements towards more flexible financing structures, according to an Ashurst partner, with lenders warming to new mechanisms like virtual tolling agreements. 

New federal fuel cost pass-through laws are expected to generate uncertainty in the construction industry, according to partners in Corrs Chambers Westgarth's leading construction practice group, who say the reforms may apply more widely than anticipated. 

A recent decision from the International Court of Justice on states' climate change obligations is likely to spark disputes on directors' climate obligations and more greenwashing claims, a new report from the recently appointed solicitor general has found. 

Former ACCC chair Allan Fels says the competition regulator appears to have a strong misuse of market power case against Mastercard, but noted the credit card giant may raise arguments about two-sided markets in defending the claims.

Before the decision in the Brambles case this week -- the first shareholder class action to succeed at trial -- the path to proving loss from disclosure breaches was a thicket of, well, brambles. Now after six consecutive losses, Justice Bernard Murphy has paved the way for plaintiffs to prevail.

Owners and head contractors could be caught out for unexpected payments and lose rights they thought they had, as far-reaching changes to Victoria’s security of payment regime take effect today, a construction expert told Lawyerly. 

MinterEllison's market-leading construction team is readying for a jump in claims stemming from reforms to Victoria's Security of Payment Act and navigating 'crisis contracting' for clients amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East -- and with a new partner soon to join its ranks, the firm is ready for the challenges.

Law firms will soon face costly new compliance obligations under the anti-money laundering counter-terrorism finance regime that will need to be finely balanced with their core professional and ethical duties, experts say.