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Landmark High Court ruling holds churches liable for child abuse

The High Court has handed down a landmark and long-awaited ruling that has determined that churches can be held directly responsible and liable for child abuse that occurred under their care.

12 February 2026
By Grace Robbie
MinterEllison names new chair

National law firm MinterEllison has announced a new chair, selecting a veteran of the firm with more than 15 years’ tenure.

11 February 2026
By Grace Robbie
Empathy is not optional for employment lawyers

Distraught over my mother’s diagnosis, what I needed most was some compassion – what I got instead was a rude and confrontational employment lawyer, writes Naomi Neilson.

11 February 2026
By Naomi Neilson
DEI: Anticompetitive, or a recruitment necessity?

In the US, BigLaw firms that factor DEI metrics into hiring decisions are being warned they may be violating antitrust laws. Down Under, it’s a test of legal employers’ leadership and culture.

11 February 2026
By Jerome Doraisamy
A-G Rowland on getting the balance right with the new hate speech laws

In a recent sit-down with Lawyers Weekly, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland reflected on the crafting of the newly legislated hate speech reforms and how, in a short time frame, the government moved to ensure passage of those laws.

11 February 2026
By Jerome Doraisamy
Why young lawyers are facing one of the toughest job markets in years

As the once-quiet promise that hard work and finishing a law degree would guarantee a job rapidly unravels, two national career strategists explain why this expectation no longer holds – and offer essential advice for navigating what has become a near-universal experience for law students.

11 February 2026
By Grace Robbie
Strike-off for lawyer who tricked fired employee with fake emails

After terminating his legal assistant, a West Australian lawyer created false emails – complete with compliments of himself – that purported to show his attempts to find her a job elsewhere.

11 February 2026
By Naomi Neilson
Baker McKenzie to cut business services roles

BigLaw firm Baker McKenzie looks set to phase out hundreds of business services roles across its global offices, including Down Under.

11 February 2026
By Jerome Doraisamy
Lessons from Bunnings’ successful face-recognition appeal

Despite being found to have contravened Australian Privacy Principles in its use of facial recognition technology (FRT) at its stores, Bunnings wins appeal to roll out the technology for safety purposes.

11 February 2026
By Carlos Tse
Cowell Clarke adds banking and finance director

Commercial law firm Cowell Clarke has appointed a new director to its corporate and commercial team, where he will head up the firm’s banking and finance capabilities.

11 February 2026
By Naomi Neilson