COMMENTReform 18C now or risk losing it
Chris MerrittAre those who believe 18C is essential willing to risk having every word struck down by the court?
Section 18C to High Court
CHRIS MERRITTFailure to reform section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act could leave the law open to constitutional challenge.
CommentCall me ‘white’, I’ll be offended
Chris MerrittA reader has been sending me abusive emails about 18C. The moral vanity underpinning her thinking deserves a response.
Changes to HRC ‘not enough’
CHRIS MERRITTChanges to the Australian Human Rights Commission would not stop some faulty 18C complaints, an MP says.
French joins justice access inquiry
CHRIS MERRITTThe Law Council has recruited former chief justice Robert French for a study into impediments to access to justice.
18C fix ‘far from perfect’
CHRIS MERRITTCritics say a compromise plan to reform section 18C is still likely to favour complainants.
exclusiveObeid: let MPs judge me
CHRIS MERRITTFormer NSW politician Eddie Obeid has lodged an appeal against his conviction and prison sentence.
comment18c debate gives PM free kick
CHRIS MERRITTThe Coalition parties are starting to realise that the debate over section 18C is not a burden, but a gift.
exclusive18C pioneer says law must change
CHRIS MERRITTThe head of the inquiry that led to the introduction of section 18C of the RDA says the law needs to be changed.
Pin-up boy for 18C reform
CHRIS MERRITTJames Paterson emerges as a leader on free speech.| Join Chris Merritt’s live Q&A; on race discrimination law reform.
Government legal bill blowout
CHRIS MERRITTThe government’s annual bill for legal services has blown out by $64.2m — or 8.8 per cent — to stand at $792.3m.
prejudiceMoses’s pitch for more work
Chris MerrittArthur Moses SC made a pitch for more work for barristers when he addressed corporate counsel this week.
Letters show more Triggs errors
CHRIS MERRITTCorrespondence from the AHRC shows that Gillian Triggs has made more misleading statements to parliament.
CommentGillian must apologise, again
CHRIS MERRITTSomeone needs to break the news to Gillian Triggs: when you find yourself in a hole of your own making, stop digging.
CommentPoliticians squib reform chance
Chris MerrittThe federal politicians who signed off on the report on section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act have squibbed it.
Fairfax’s pain just beginning
CHRIS MERRITTThere’s more Unaoil-related pain on the way for Fairfax after it paid for publishing false allegations about Wal King.
Erosion of our rights by pollies
CHRIS MERRITTA federal legislation audit found that traditional legal rights are still being persistently undermined by laws approved by parliament.
ICAC may act before Credo report
CHRIS MERRITTThe NSW government’s anti-corruption agency is still working on a report from one of its most sensational inquiries.
Norton merger adds 600 lawyers
CHRIS MERRITTGlobal firm Norton Rose Fulbright has unveiled a merger that will give the big firm an extra 600 lawyers.
PrejudiceMore to come for Watson
Chris MerrittAs counsel assisting at ICAC, Geoffrey Watson SC shot to fame.
Progressives cross blurred 18C line
Chris MerrittIt will soon be up to politicians to fix a law that is biased towards complainants.
prejudiceFairfax’s Kazal defence diluted
Chris MerrittIt would be understandable if those running Fairfax Media were to overlook the setback they have just suffered.
Court assent ruled under French
CHRIS MERRITTThe High Court under former Chief Justice Robert French has been revealed as a haven of agreement.
PrejudiceHow did ICAC get law so wrong?
Chris MerrittThe NSW government can’t avoid another wave of toxic politics triggered by the incompetence of its corruption watchdog.
Speakman puts judges on notice
CHRIS MERRITTIf the judges of NSW are expecting a champion now they have a former silk as AG, they are about to be disappointed.
Chase ‘to net billions’ for ATO
CHRIS MERRITTInsolvency firm Sheahan Lock Partners has a plan it believes could help Canberra pocket billions from tax avoiders.
‘Top up legal aid with business’
CHRIS MERRITTThe new Australian Bar Association president believes underfunded legal aid could be topped up by big business.
exclusiveICAC errors ‘ruined our careers’
CHRIS MERRITTTwo ex-members of the NSW parliament have called for an inquiry into ICAC’s destruction of their political careers.
prejudiceBerejiklian should clear the air
Chris MerrittGladys Berejiklian can’t wish away the problems with NSW’s Independent Commission Against Corruption.
EXCLUSIVEKing catches up with Freehills
CHRIS MERRITTThe nation’s leading law firms have strengthened their grip on the top end of the market for legal services.