Today
Barristers on losing streak with constitutional change
A vote by members of the Victorian Bar to include clauses that promoted diversity and made a stand against discrimination and harassment has tanked.
This Month
- Analysis
- Voice to parliament
Why referendums fail in ‘world champion’ Australia
Compulsory voting, corporate support and celebrity backing all work against getting referendums over the line.
- Analysis
- Legal industry
Why the EV decision is a bad sign for High Court
There were five different judgments from the seven justices, suggesting retiring Chief Justice Susan Kiefel’s push for them to work more closely may be in vain.
That’s a rap: raucous send-off for new High Court judge
Robert Beech-Jones once left fellow judges “awestruck” with a Christmas Party rap, and he admits not being the best writer in the family.
- Updated
- Electric cars
High Court’s EV decision threatens state taxes
Lawyers say the ramifications of the decision are ‘monstrous’ and could trigger a shake-up in federal-state relations.
Detail in referendums ‘unwise’: law expert
Parliament should handle details after a referendum – and down the track if further changes are required – constitutional law expert Anne Twomey says.
Legal profession needs more female leaders: Kiefel
High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel says there is “still much to be done within the profession to advance women”.
- Analysis
- Voice to parliament
The inside story of the Voice campaign
Indigenous leaders such as Megan Davis have been on the hustings for six years and are now facing the prospect of a heavy defeat on Saturday.
- Exclusive
- Voice to parliament
Seems nothing can melt No-vote hearts: Pearson
Leading Yes campaigner Noel Pearson urges supporters to maintain hope but says Saturday’s referendum appears lost and Australia was a “hard country now”.
- Analysis
- Hearsay
Why is Noel Pearson upset with Murray Gleeson?
The Indigenous leader says the former chief justice deserted the Voice in its ‘hour of need’.
Court rejects Palmer appeal over tick for Yes
Clive Palmer argued that a tick should be treated the same as an “X” on a ballot paper - an informal vote,
Threats to Thorpe spur security fears in Voice campaign
Politicians campaigning in the last week of the Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum campaign are expected to get higher than usual security.
Ex-chief justice lashes ‘resentful’ No campaign
Robert French says the No campaign’s strategy invites Australians to “a resentful, uninquiring passivity”.
September
‘Bleeds for Broncos’: how the NRL’s richest club came back
Only three years after hitting rock bottom, the Brisbane Broncos are again chasing rugby league’s biggest prize.
HWL Ebsworth says ‘business as usual’ after hack
Australia largest legal partnership says its profitability remains “well above industry average”.
Government adds new privacy rules for 2.3m small businesses
The government says the exemption under the Privacy Act for small businesses should be removed
Australia’s top five powerbrokers in the law for 2023
In what has been a transformative year for the sector, these are the nation’s most influential legal leaders.
‘Corrupt’ Berejiklian takes ICAC to court
Gladys Berejiklian says the ICAC neither had the authority nor the evidence to make findings of corruption against her.
- Opinion
- Legal industry
Law is still a man’s world: High Court judge
Jacqueline Gleeson says three men from NSW spoke more to the nation’s highest court last year than all women combined.
August
Dreyfus to name and shame pro bono laggards
The attorney-general is vowing “further incentives” to encourage compliance with a pro bono target of 35 hours per lawyer each year.
