Christian Porter and his former defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou may be paying up to half a million dollars to the friend of the woman who accused him of rape after she successfully argued that the barrister could misuse confidential information. However, Ms Chrysanthou and Mr Porter’s appeal could change this completely. 

2: Criminal lawyer behind fraudulent betting syndicate loses appeal

A Sydney criminal lawyer with ties to a notorious convicted con man who persuaded her to get involved in a scheme used to allegedly trick investors into sinking $12.3 million into a fraudulent betting syndicate has lost her appeal in the Supreme Court. The judgement is packed full of wild findings against the solicitor and the con man. 

3: How Mark Speakman spearheaded defamation reform

In an exclusive conversation on The Lawyers Weekly Show, NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman shared how he spearheaded the new defamation reforms and how it could be a “turning point” for the defamation capital of the world. 

4: Too soon to celebrate a win for female lawyers in Australia

New figures have revealed that for the first time in history, women now outnumber men in the legal profession in all states and territories. However, Courtney Bowie argues that women being the majority across the board does not automatically mean that gender issues, like lack of management representation, will be solved overnight. 

VIEW ALL

5: Law Society launches sexual harassment portal

Amid a number of allegations raised against senior legal practitioners, the NSW Law Society has launched a portal to provide information and training to solicitors along with resources to seek assistance and avenues to report complaints. 

6: SA courts report ‘concerning’ number of harassment and bullying victims

South Australian courts will review its culture after high levels of dissatisfaction were reported across the workplace, including a “concerning number” of court staff who reported experiencing some form of bullying or harassment in the last 12 months. 

7: Should Australian judges still have a mandatory retirement age?

According to some of Australia’s young legal minds, potential age discrimination and a lack of viable research indicate that judges should have the option to stay on the bench long past their mandatory retirement age. On the other hand, will confidence in the administration of justice take a hit if the rule is scrapped altogether? 

8: How firms can be better for disabled lawyers during the hiring process

In the hiring process, particularly during the clerkship season, it is vital that firms and other legal workplaces are taking the right approach to hearing from disabled lawyers, including rethinking new and innovative interview practices and having the right training and insights into what an inclusive workplace should look like. 

9: Vic Bar paves way for more students to pursue law

The Victorian Bar has awarded $1,500 and unique opportunities to 14 secondary students in an effort to encourage more aspiring lawyers facing a number of social and economic barriers to pursue a career in law. 

10: Legal services demand answers after Aboriginal man dies in custody

Yet another Aboriginal man has died in custody – and his family, alongside the Aboriginal Legal Service and GetUp First Nations Justice Campaign, is demanding answers.