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Vasta judgment prompts calls for judicial immunity legislation
Analysis 2023-09-01 5:31 pm By Sam Matthews

Legal bodies have expressed alarm at the implications of a ruling that put a judge on the hook for damages for ordering the wrongful imprisonment of a Queensland man and have called for legislative action, but one expert says the judgment is unlikely to open the floodgates.

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Two silks appointed to the Federal Court
Courts 2023-09-01 12:40 pm By Sam Matthews

Two barristers have been elevated to the Federal Court bench, including a silk known for his work in employment class actions.

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Banksia senior barrister belatedly struck from roll in South Australia
Business of Law 2023-08-31 11:18 pm By Christine Caulfield

Disgraced Banksia class action barrister Norman O’Bryan has been struck from the roll of legal practitioners in South Australia for his part in what has been described as the darkest chapter in Victoria’s legal history.

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Court awards $300,000 for wrongful imprisonment by family law judge
Legal Ethics 2023-08-30 12:34 pm By Sam Matthews

A Queensland man has prevailed in his case alleging Federal Circuit and Family Court Judge Salvatore Vasta unlawfully imprisoned him for contempt after he failed to comply with an order for particulars, winning over $300,000 in damages.

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Law firm accused of ‘woefully prepared’ case dodges bid for personal costs
Business of Law 2023-08-30 10:51 pm By Sam Matthews

A disgruntled client who accused a Sydney-based law firm of running a “woefully prepared” case has lost his appeal of a judge’s rejection of his bid for a $225,000 personal costs order against the firm.

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Shine blames delays in class action settlement approval for 90% profit drop
Business of Law 2023-08-29 11:03 pm By Christine Caulfield

Delays in court approval of settlements in their pelvic mesh class actions against US giants Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific have been blamed for Shine Lawyers’ 89.39 per cent decline in net profits for 2023.

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‘Universally lauded’: Stephen Gageler appointed High Court’s next top judge
High Court 2023-08-22 11:06 am By Cindy Cameronne

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.

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Lawyers praise ‘exceptional’ new High Court justice
High Court 2023-08-22 2:51 pm By Cindy Cameronne

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.

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Virgin class action a lawyers’ feast after judge joins insurers
Business of Law 2023-08-22 12:47 pm By Sam Matthews

A class action against Virgin Australia has become a lawyers’ feast, with seven new firms entering the ring after a dozen insurers were joined to the action alleging the airline failed to disclose its true financial position in a $324 million capital raising prospectus.

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Barrister can’t escape fee agreement’s fine print, High Court told
Business of Law 2023-08-21 11:13 pm By Christine Caulfield

A barrister can’t sidestep a clause in a costs agreement with a solicitor that limited when counsel fees are payable by breaching his disclosure obligations and nullifying the agreement, the High Court has been told.

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