Legal Ethics

An appeals court has overturned a $16 million judgment against a law firm, finding it did not breach its duties when acting for a lender that provided financing to a client.

Super Retail Group has sought production of communications between two former executives and their solicitors ahead of a fight to disqualify the lawyers from acting in the employment dispute. 

The top prosecutor in Victoria who made complaints about two judges, prompting one to resign, has been elevated to the state’s Supreme Court.

The former inspector-general of intelligence and security and has launched an investigation into a former Federal Court judge after a former staff member made a complaint. 

A long-time client of a former Holding Redlich partner has been granted a permanent injunction restraining the lawyer from acting against it in proceedings over a Queensland residential development.

An appeals court on Tuesday questioned claims that a tribunal’s decision had the appearance of bias when it found a Sydney barrister guilty of professional misconduct for bringing allegedly unfounded claims against a solicitor.

The peak body for community legal centres has flagged a declassing application in a group proceeding alleging Knowmore Legal Service provided negligent, “cookie cutter” advice to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. 

A Melbourne solicitor has been fined for applying for compensation on behalf of twenty clients from the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal for the installation of CCTV systems by a company which she had an interest in.

The South Australian legal watchdog has won its appeal of a decision which found it did not have the power to lay charges against a lawyer accused of “inappropriate and uninvited” sexual contact with a junior solicitor.

A Sydney barrister and solicitor have settled a dispute over a $320,000 bill initially estimated to cost $60,000 after an appeals court found two costs agreements were void and held that courts should take a “purposive approach” to the rules governing costs disclosure obligations.