Former high court justice Dyson Heydon sexually harassed staff, inquiry finds
Three female associates of former High Court Justice Dyson Heydon will file for compensation after an explosive independent investigation found he sexually harassed six junior court workers.
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Former High Court Justice Dyson Heydon is being sued by three female associates who forfeited their legal careers because of his sexual harassment.
The scandal has been described as the “legal profession’s dirtiest secret”, with suggestions Mr Heydon is facing further complaints by women.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said sexual harassment allegations against Mr Heydon were “very disturbing and very concerning”.
Mr Morrison said there would be a formal investigation into whether Mr Heydon‘s Companion of the Order of Australia should be revoked if the “incredibly serious” allegations are upheld.
Maurice Blackburn principal Mr Bornstein said it could be “assumed” that more women had already come forward with new complaints against Mr Heydon, 77, who was on the High Court from 2003 to 2013.
An independent inquiry this week upheld complaints against him by six young female associates.
Mr Bornstein said his clients, including Rachael Collins and Chelsea Tabart, were “the best and brightest” graduates in Australia when they were harassed by Mr Heydon, who was considered powerful and fearsome.
The women are suing both the Commonwealth and Mr Heydon, who denies claims against him.
Mr Bornstein said he was “not optimistic” that Mr Heydon would willingly enter negotiations and threatened to take him to the Australian Human Rights Commission if he resists.
Sexual harassment complaints must be taken to the commission before legal action can commence and the commission has no obligation to consider complaints more than six months old.
However, the government has “indicated a willingness” to enter negotiations, set to begin in coming weeks, Mr Bornstein said.
Mr Heydon’s lawyers Speed and Stracey on Monday said: “In respect of the confidential inquiry and its subsequent confidential report, any allegation of predatory behaviour or breaches of the law is categorically denied by our client.”
The scandal has been described as a “wake up call” to the broader legal profession amid reports of widespread sexual harassment and bullying and has raised questions about judicial misconduct and the selection of judges.