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Judicial immunity, costs orders, and ‘red flags’: What’s hot in law this week (10–14 February)
This past week has seen a handful of consequential rulings from the nation’s highest court, as well as notable expansions from BigLaw practices. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.
Lawyers Weekly
For the week from 10 to 14 February, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. Judge Salvatore Vasta wins immunity from civil suits
The High Court has decided whether Judge Salvatore Vasta should have judicial immunity from civil lawsuits after a lower court found he falsely imprisoned a man during a “parody” of a court hearing.
2. High Court intervenes in costs decision for self-represented law firm
In a decision that could have wide-ranging implications for self-represented law firms, the High Court has decided whether a Sydney law firm should recover the costs for work done by its own solicitors.
3. DWF takes team of 53 from Hall & Wilcox
Following its appointment of nine partners from Hall & Wilcox late last year, DWF has confirmed that 53 of the partners’ former colleagues are also joining the firm.
4. Law Squared expands into Perth
Fast-growing player Law Squared – which now operates in three countries – has opened its fourth Australian office while also swelling its ranks nationwide.
5. Appeal frees insurer from costs of compensating Knox Grammar’s sexual abuse victims
Under a landmark appeal, the Uniting Church can no longer rely on its insurance with Allianz Australia to cover the costs of settlements and litigation to resolve historic claims of sexual abuse made by former students of its elite Sydney school, Knox Grammar.
6. McCabes takes team of 10 from HBA Legal
Fast-growing BigLaw firm McCabes has bolstered its insurance ranks in Brisbane, taking 10 professionals from fellow national practice HBA Legal.
7. Bell CJ slams PLT costs, welcomes proposed changes
The escalating costs of practical legal training have raised concerns from NSW’s top judge, who cautions that these excessive fees place a significant financial burden on aspiring lawyers.
8. Counsel hits out at Qld in heated debate over pleadings
The lawyers behind a “modern stolen generation” class action have delivered a scathing criticism of the state of Queensland’s delay and refusal to hand over key child protection documents.
9. Star casino execs aware of gambling ‘red flags’, court told
On the first day of a lengthy trial, lawyers for ASIC accused the executives behind Star casino of having “more than enough” knowledge about alleged illicit criminal activity and associations.
10. Law lecturer says university unfairly ended employment
A law lecturer turned to the Fair Work Commission with allegations that he was pushed out of a Melbourne university amid a disciplinary process.
