July 2024
The High Court’s youngest judge is its new contrarian
James Edelman was once mistaken for a drinks waiter by a fellow judge at a cocktail party, now he’s arguably the High Court’s most interesting justice.
- Michael Pelly
October 2023
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.
- Michael Pelly
May 2023
Victorian judge to lead Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Greek migrant Emilios Kyrou will head the AAT and its replacement for five years.
- Michael Pelly
Business ‘weaklings’ using Australian laws to dodge contracts
Ex-High Court judge Patrick Keane says consumer laws are being used to override “otherwise unimpeachable contracts”.
- Michael Pelly
April 2023
Stay out of court, says outgoing chief justice
Federal Court chief justice James Allsop is leaving the job convinced that smart business people avoid court.
- Michael Pelly
February 2023
Minters, Ashurst add new partners as Twomey joins G+T
Big six law firms Minter Ellison and Ashurst have hired new partners, and a “guru” academic has joined Gilbert + Tobin
- Michael Pelly
October 2022
Keane laments exit after ‘wonderful’ innings on High Court
Justice Patrick Keane, who will step down on Monday, reflects on a life in the law, and nine years on Australia’s highest court.
- Michael Pelly
December 2021
Election will decide next High Court chief justice
Next year’s election will not only decide who leads the nation, it will also decide who is the next chief justice of the High Court.
- Michael Pelly
September 2021
Australia’s top five power brokers in law for 2021
This year, for the first time, women occupied the nation’s two most senior positions in the law.
- Michael Pelly
April 2021
- Analysis
- Hearsay
Should judges decide if they are biased?
A curiosity of the legal system is that the person being accused of bias gets to make a ruling about whether they are or not. Moves for change are afoot.
- Michael Pelly
Sister act for Gleeson’s High Court portrait
The family touch for High Court portrait, an agreeable welcome for new judges and peace at the Victoria Bar. It’s all Hearsay.
- Michael Pelly
March 2021
- Analysis
- High Court of Australia
Will Jacqueline Gleeson join the High Court’s dominant group?
The High Court’s new judges will determine the direction of the court for the next decade.
- Michael Pelly
February 2021
Fine looms for Westpac after High Court financial advice rebuff
The bank can expect another fine after the court found it breached financial advice laws in a super rollover campaign.
- Updated
- Michael Pelly and Aleks Vickovich
September 2020
High Court judge takes swipe at media on privacy
A High Court judge says media outlets will sacrifice privacy for sales.
- Michael Pelly
August 2020
High stakes in race to High Court bench
The Morrison government will be hoping it can reshape the High Court with its next two appointments. The Australian Financial Review reveals five leading candidates and two wild cards.
- Michael Pelly
February 2020
High Court unity fades as judges agree to differ
Australia's top court is becoming less predictable as alliances shift, and its youngest member asserts himself as its leading contrarian.
- Michael Pelly
December 2019
High Court torpedoes class actions
While business groups welcomed the decision, class action lawyers warned it would lead to more multiple claims, drive costs up, diminish competition and remove vital consumer protections.
- Michael Pelly