September 2024
Australia’s top five powerbrokers in the law for 2024
It was a momentous year for the High Court, the competition regulator and outspoken judges. Here are the people setting the agenda in legal circles.
- Michael Pelly
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
May 2024
- Opinion
- Legal profession
How the US Supreme Court became a political organisation
When judges make decisions that should be left to politicians, they undermine democracy.
- Amanda Stoker
November 2023
This $25k-a-hearing barrister is happy to be losing money
Top silk Bret Walker has welcomed news the High Court will scrap special leave days as part of an overhaul of its appeals precess.
- Michael Pelly
Gageler puts a firm stamp on ‘new’ High Court
The new chief justice wanted to send a message that this would be a different court from that presided over by Susan Kiefel since 2017 – and he succeeded.
- Michael Pelly
October 2023
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”.
- Michael Pelly
September 2023
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.
- Michael Pelly
August 2023
- Updated
- Courts
Stephen Gageler to be next High Court chief justice
Justice Stephen Gageler will lead the High Court for the next five years and NSW Supreme Court judge Robert Beech-Jones will join the nation’s highest court.
- Michael Pelly
What were you thinking, Walter Sofronoff?
Why would the former judge provide advance copies of his Lehrmann inquiry report to only two journalists? And a farewell tour, of sorts, for High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel. That’s Hearsay.
- Michael Pelly
July 2023
Dark horse emerges in race for High Court chief
Andrew Bell has emerged as an alternative to long-time favourite Stephen Gageler as the government considers who will replace Susan Kiefel as chief justice.
- Michael Pelly
October 2022
High Court judge backs Labor move on appointments
Plans to reform judicial appointments would reflect “international best practice”, says Justice Stephen Gageler.
- Michael Pelly
April 2022
Judge’s advice to Gen Y lawyers: ‘get back to the office’
High Court Justice Stephen Gageler says lawyers should get back into “the room where it happens” in a stark warning to the profession.
- 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
Media outlets lose liability fight over Facebook comments
Northern Territory youth detainee Dylan Voller can now sue for defamation over third-party comments on Facebook pages.
- Michael Pelly
June 2021
Foreign influence laws pass free speech test in High Court
A challenge to the laws by right-wing think tank Libertyworks, which held a conference aligned with US conservatives, was rejected.
- 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
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