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‘Lawyer brain’ and a fed-up judge: What’s hot in law this week (27–31 Jan)
With Australia Day now in the rear-view mirror and the Federal Court set to open for 2025, the legal marketplace is very much in full swing once more. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.
Lawyers Weekly
For the week from 27 to 31 January, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. ‘Disgrace’: Union’s legal team chastised for abandoning member
The legal team behind a workplace union was criticised by the Fair Work Commission for leaving one of its illiterate members “high and dry” just one business day before evidence was due to be filed.
2. WA solicitor banned from practice for ‘grossly careless’ submissions
A criminal solicitor who conned his client and the court out of costs has been banned from practising for seven months.
3. ‘Non-practising’ lawyer found to be ‘detriment’ in unfair dismissal case
The involvement of a lawyer in an unfair dismissal matter was found to be a “detriment” to a personal care assistant, despite his insistence he was not practising as a legal practitioner.
4. Fed-up judge makes order to hinder law firm
A law firm has been prevented from easily filing material in the Federal Court after a long history of receiving criticisms, including for once throwing allegations around “like confetti at a wedding”.
5. How ‘lawyer brain’ impacted this barrister’s mental health
A New Zealand-based KC recently shared insights with Lawyers Weekly about tackling depression while trying to continue with his professional career.
6. The common ‘pitfalls’ in appealed judgments
Saying too little, too much, or saying it incorrectly are some of the common pitfalls in judgments that are picked apart by appeal benches.
7. The benefits of being kind to opposing counsel
Interactions between counsel can significantly affect the trajectory of a case. Here, a firm owner stresses the importance of treating opposing counsel respectfully and kindly, highlighting the numerous benefits of this approach.
8. Advice every first-year law student needs to succeed
For first-years, the transition into tertiary legal education can feel daunting and overwhelming. Here, two award-winning law students offer invaluable advice to help you successfully navigate this journey, enabling you to excel both academically and personally.
9. NDIS support service fined $1.9m following ‘tragic’ choking death
Inadequate training was found liable for the “terrible” choking incident that claimed the life of an intellectually disabled man back in 2020.
10. Curiosity on judicial hires, independence a ‘threat’ to system
With Australia’s inherited justice system the way it is, an academic says asking the “hard” questions about a judge’s experience and competency is a risk many tend to avoid.
