The year 2026 is now in full swing, with numerous notable court proceedings and some high-profile appointments having been made. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.
For the week from 12 to 16 January, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. Australian legal NGO condemns US action in Venezuela, urges government denunciation
An Australia-based international law organisation has strongly criticised the US intervention in Venezuela, calling on the Australian government to publicly denounce the move.
2. Reprimand for Qld solicitor duped by fake lawyer
A tribunal has penalised a Queensland legal practitioner director who turned a blind eye to the dishonest conduct of a fake lawyer despite obvious concerns from clients and the Legal Services Commission.
3. Qld barrister fails to claw back practising certificate
A Queensland tribunal upheld the Bar Association’s decision to refuse to renew a practising certificate for a barrister who failed to make a timely disclosure about the winding up of his company.
4. ‘Inappropriate’: Court slates solicitor for costs application failure
A solicitor has been criticised for a “clearly inadequate” costs application, which included the “inappropriate” suggestion that the judge could specifically request additional material.
5. Court tosses claim Legal Aid breached man’s privacy
Proceedings brought against the Legal Aid Commissioner of NSW and the Inner City Legal Centre over alleged privacy breaches were dismissed for being “frivolous or vexatious”.
6. HWL Ebsworth promotes 65, including 3 to partner
National law firm HWL Ebsworth has appointed three new partners and elevated 65 staff members throughout the firm’s national network.
7. WA appoints first female Solicitor-General
The West Australian government has made history by appointing the first woman to serve as Solicitor-General.
8. Qld firm protected from further sexual harassment claim
A woman who alleged she was sexually harassed at a Queensland law firm was barred from bringing any further claims.
9. Virginia Bell’s experience ‘speaks for itself’: A-G, PM defend royal commission appointment
Pushing back on criticism about the appointment, the federal government has said that the Honourable Virginia Bell AC is “one of the smartest legal minds this country has produced” and will assume duties as head of the newly established royal commission into anti-Semitism with the utmost diligence.
10. 4 judges appointed to Federal Circuit and Family Court
The Albanese government has appointed four new judges to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).
