News

Fake cult plot ends in strike-off for complicit lawyer

A lawyer who helped dupe a victim into paying almost $150,000 for a sham cult rescue has been struck from the roll.

26 October 2026
By Naomi Neilson
Barrister guilty of contempt amid $112k fee fight with Sydney chambers

A court has found Philip Bates guilty of civil contempt for a lengthy failure to produce financial documents amid a battle with his former chambers over $112,000 in floor fees.

26 October 2026
By Naomi Neilson
Swaab adds special counsel in property, planning, and projects team

Sydney-based law firm Swaab has appointed planning and environment lawyer and former Royal Australian Navy member Suzy Whitty as a special counsel in its property, planning, and projects team.

26 October 2026
By Jerome Doraisamy
Putting a dollar figure on family violence

With effect from 10 June 2025, family law now expressly recognises the economic effects of family violence in property settlements, write Hayley Dodson and Conrad Liveris.

26 October 2026
By Hayley Dodson and Conrad Liveris
HSF Kramer adds leveraged finance and restructuring partner from Squire Patton Boggs

Global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has welcomed leveraged finance and restructuring partner Rachel Jones to its finance and restructuring practice in Sydney.

26 October 2026
By Jerome Doraisamy
Reprimand for ‘deliberately evasive’ veteran barrister

An NSW barrister who admitted to lying under oath during family law proceedings will spend the rest of his career restrained to the Mental Health Review Tribunal.

23 October 2026
By Naomi Neilson
Harvey names new APAC vice president

Global legal tech provider Harvey has appointed Stewart Garrett as its vice president in the Asia-Pacific region.

23 October 2026
By Jerome Doraisamy
Sparke Helmore promotes government lawyer to partner

National firm Sparke Helmore has promoted government public and regulatory lawyer Jake Kyranis to partner.

23 October 2026
By Jerome Doraisamy
AI, admin, and accessibility – is digitisation the answer to commission impossible?

The unfair dismissal process has gone digital in a move against AI applications and resulting administrative burden, but lawyers are warning that faster processes won’t dismiss employer accountability.

23 October 2026
By Amelia McNamara
Mortgage mayhem: Boutique firm booted off court case over conflict concerns

A Victorian law firm has been restrained from acting for a mortgage lender after the Supreme Court of Victoria discovered that allegations of fraudulent mortgage registration created a conflict of interest that threatened the proper administration of justice.

22 October 2026
By Matthew Taylor