This past week, as the Reserve Bank held the cash rate at its current level, arguments were put forward for a major shake-up to PLT, and an alleged impostor lawyer has been hit with an injunction preventing her from acting as a practitioner. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.
For the week from 29 September to 3 October, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. ‘Whoop-de-do’: Court says federal judge made inappropriate comments
A federal court judge made several inappropriate comments during her questioning of a party, including “whoop-de-do” and “what happens at mother’s group stays at mother’s group”.
A recommendation has been made to remove the name of a disgraced legal practitioner due to her conduct in a misleading creditor scheme, including the employment of her parents as lay associates despite both having been struck off the roll of solicitors.
3. Director, solicitor hits back at order to retain lawyer
A law firm director fought back against an order that he retain a lawyer to act on his practice’s behalf, telling a court it was based on “cynically, deliberately and knowingly false evidence”.
4. Alleged impostor lawyer stuck with legal ban
A Queensland woman has failed to shake off an interim injunction that has prevented her from acting as an alleged sham lawyer.
5. RBA reveals September 2025 cash rate call
Following last month’s rate cut, find out, in this special announcement from Legal Home Loans, if the Reserve Bank of Australia has decided to raise, hold, or cut interest rates at its third meeting of the new financial year.
6. Colin Biggers & Paisley appoints new managing partner
National law firm Colin Biggers & Paisley has named a new managing partner, who will assume the role from October.
Listed entity Shine Justice, the parent company of Shine Lawyers, has elevated 34 lawyers to more senior roles, as of today (1 October).
8. Judge likens firm’s inspection bid to ‘fishing’ trip
A court has dismissed a compensation law firm’s request to inspect a Brisbane hospital on the basis it would be a “fishing expedition”.
9. Chief Justice, admission board pushes for major PLT shake-up
Demands to overhaul practical legal training in NSW have included suggestions that it be further mandated or abolished altogether, but a working group comprising leading practitioners has ultimately made a recommendation that falls somewhere in the middle.
10. Top AI mistakes law students must avoid
While excitement grows around artificial intelligence and its potential to transform the legal profession, Lucy Southwick has warned law students and junior lawyers to remain vigilant and avoid the critical mistakes she has observed when using the technology.
