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CEO movements, a war over fees, and another cash rate pause: What’s hot in law this week (2–6 Oct)

The run-up to Christmas is upon us. There are 12 weeks left in the working year, and the news cycle shows no signs of slowing down just yet. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.

user iconLawyers Weekly 07 October 2023 Big Law
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The run-up to Christmas is upon us. There are 12 weeks left in the working year, and the news cycle shows no signs of slowing down just yet. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.

For the week from 2 October to 6 October, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):

  1. RBA makes October 2023 cash rate call
After 12 rate rises in the last 14 months, the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to hold the cash rate at 4.1 per cent, for the fourth straight month, in its October interest rate decision – the RBA’s ninth cash rate decision for 2023.

 
 

  1. Solicitor and former client’s extensive war over fees escalates
One man’s crusade against his former solicitor over fees has spanned across a number of superior courts and has included separate stoushes with a barrister and a legal centre. With yet another court appearance on the cards, it appears there is no end in sight.

  1. ‘Extremely serious’ claims question Federal Court judge’s career history
In the course of his racial discrimination complaint against the Fair Work Commission, a man made “extremely serious” claims that a Federal Court judge’s early career influenced her decision making.

  1. ‘Concerning’: Qld man insists assisting, charging clients does not count as legal practice
A Central Queensland man who drafted submissions and appeared in court for “clients” despite not holding a practising certificate has been criticised by a court for his “concerning lack of insight”.

  1. NSW Law Society CEO resigns
NSW Law Society chief executive officer Sonja Stewart will resign just over three years after she commenced in the role.

  1. ‘Troubling’: Judge says law firm’s, client’s applications unnecessarily complex
The parties involved in a law firm’s dispute with their former clients have been criticised by a Supreme Court judge for “unnecessarily” complicating the proceedings to determine costs.

  1. Perth firm’s percentage costs estimate a ‘disclosure failure’, judge says
A Perth law firm pulled into a dispute with a former client over fees was informed of an “insufficient” disclosure in its costs agreement.

  1. Slater & Gordon names new CEO
National law firm Slater & Gordon, which recently delisted following its acquisition by Allegro Funds, has appointed a new chief executive, who will take over early next year from John Somerville, who is set to retire.

  1. Why networking is important for junior lawyers
After being the first in her family to study law, this award-winning associate said she experienced a number of disadvantages coming out of law school, which she combated by gaining work experience as early and as often as she could.

  1. Judge, government appeal $300k order for false imprisonment
A federal court judge found to have falsely imprisoned a man for contempt of court has filed an appeal.