Legal Affairs
The Australian Partnership Survey
The Australian’s partnership survey, powered by Macquarie Bank and Beaton, ranks leading law firms on a range of criteria.
Race case ‘threat to uni brand’
Hedley ThomasStudents in a racial hatred case say documents show they were wronged and kept in the dark by their university.
Why Keating bypassed Evans
TROY BRAMSTONEx-prime minister Paul Keating faced a dilemma when dealing with a High Court vacancy in 1994 and a year later.
High Court needs a federalist
JAMES ALLANAs Chief Justice Robert French prepares to retire, we should be looking for an ‘interpretively conservative’ judge.
Gig economy suits self-employed
KEN PHILLIPSTwo current events occurring some 17,000km apart reveal regulatory tension over the ‘gig’ economy.
Firm ‘should foot huge tax bill’
PIA AKERMANBlack Saturday bushfire survivors want Maurice Blackburn to take responsibility for a multi-million-dollar tax bill.
It’s your fault: ATO to law firm
PIA AKERMANMaurice Blackburn has exposed bushfire victims to a multi-million-dollar tax bill ‘through errors of its own making’.
Bolt judge ‘had ALP links’
RACHEL BAXENDALELabor’s Kimberley Kitching was ‘very surprised’ judge Mordecai Bromberg sat on Andrew Bolt’s race case.
Judges query fire case costs
PIA AKERMANJudges overseeing Black Saturday bushfire class actions have called for sworn evidence from an independent auditor.
Swedes grill Assange in embassy
Jacquelin MagnaySwedish prosecutors were questioning Julian Assange inside Ecuador’s embassy about rape allegations.
Jobs umpire faces bully claim
Sarah ElksA probe has been ordered into allegations of workplace bullying against a senior Queensland industrial umpire.
Former Linc execs face charges
Five individuals have been charged with breaching environmental law over the operation of Linc’s site in Chinchilla.
End to marriage that never was
TESSA AKERMANA woman who was duped into marriage last year is once again single after the Family Court declared the marriage void.
Deal wipes 273 years off prison
Mark SchliebsA leading international money launderer with ties to Australia has struck a deal with US prosecutors.
Act on 18C restrictions, says Chaney
PAUL GARVEYWesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney has called for the scrapping of the contentious section 18C.
Brandis blasts use of funds
ANDREW BURRELL, VICTORIA LAURIEGeorge Brandis has attacked a legal service for using its scarce funds to chase a legal case against cartoonist Bill Leak.
No point getting ambos: Tostee
Sarah ElksGable Tostee says there was no point calling an ambulance after his Tinder date fell from his balcony.
Leak cartoon complaint dropped
ANDREW BURRELL, HEDLEY THOMASWoman who alleged she suffered racial hatred because of a provocative Bill Leak cartoon has withdrawn her complaint.
What’s wrong with section 18C?
Chris MerrittLegal Affairs Editor Chris Merritt has held an online discussion on Australia’s Racial Discrimination Act.
ALRC demolishes 18C arguments
Chris MerrittI have bad news for those who believe section 18C is some sort of bulwark against racial vilification.
Ditch AHRC to free up more debate
JUSTIN QUILLThe government must fix the Racial Discrimination Act and its “enforcer”, the Australian Human Rights Commission.
18C: its repeal is only solution
SIMON BREHENYRemoving the words “offend” and “insult” from provision 18C is an incredibly modest proposal for reform.
Necessity mother of reinvention
Chris MerrittThe forces that are disrupting the established order are also creating opportunities — but not for everyone.
High Court denies Palmer case
RACHEL BAXENDALEBid to have the law requiring corporate criminals to submit to public examination ruled unconstitutional has failed.
Brandis dumps legal directive
SARAH MARTINGeorge Brandis says his decision to dump a controversial legal directive comes after a ‘confected storm in a tea cup’.
Law career faces wave of change
CHRIS MERRITTThe traditional career path for solicitors is facing a challenge as law firms adopt new ways of doing business.
Palmer calls on Constitution
Sarah ElksClive Palmer wants one of Australia’s most powerful weapons against corporate criminals to be declared unconstitional.
Thousands spent over complaints
ANDREW BURRELLThe Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia spent thousands of dollars to take complaints about a cartoon.
ALP, Triggs split on race reforms
ROSIE LEWISLabor and Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs are at odds over reform to race-hate laws.
Free speech inquiry gets nod
David Crowe, ROSIE LEWISMalcolm Turnbull confirms plans to set up a far-reaching joint parliamentary inquiry into free speech.
