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Top 10: The updates making headlines
In this Protégé wrap-up, we list the top 10 biggest updates from across the legal profession, including an update on Kathleen Folbigg’s miscarriage of justice case and some new information for several major class actions.
Naomi Neilson
2: International Court orders Russia ‘immediately’ suspend military operations
In a 13 to two vote, the International Court of Justice has ordered Russia to cease its military operations in Ukraine immediately and to ensure that any organisation or unit under its direction or support “take no steps” to further the conflict. While ICJ rulings are binding, it has no direct means of enforcing them and, in rare cases, past countries have chosen to ignore them, so it remains to be seen how this will develop.
3: Ruby Princess class action grows as cruise ship ban lifts
As Australia’s cruise ship ban prepares to lift, the number of people who have signed up to the Ruby Princess class action has increased to well above 1,000. For many passengers who were feeling the long-term coronavirus effects of being stuck onboard, Shine Lawyers said there is still a “very bleak outlook” ahead.
4: Environment Minister wins appeal in climate change case
A full bench of the Federal Court ruled that Environment Minister Sussan Ley does not owe a duty of care to young Australians under the age of 18. The court ruled that the duty of care would have been “incoherent and inconsistent” under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
5: First Nations people urged to sign up for class action
Shine Lawyers has urged Indigenous workers who were subjected to unfair work conditions without pay in the 1900s to sign up for a class action to seek compensation for work. The class action, which was filed in June of last year, is open to anyone who had their wages stolen, including descendants of deceased workers.
6: Women barristers now receiving 30% of briefs
A key target of the Law Council’s Equitable Briefing Policy has been finally reached, with more than three in 10 briefs going to women barristers in FY20. This, the Law Council of Australia said, is a “significant milestone” – and, importantly, the actual figure exceeds the target and represents an increase of four points from FY19.
7: The importance of social work practice
After introducing a “no win no fee” cost agreements to Australia nearly three decades ago, Slater and Gordon has emphasised the importance of its social work service for clients awaiting personal injury compensation claims and outcomes. Its social work service manager has again stressed the importance of social work in a legal context.
8: ‘Australia will be at the centre of climate litigation for years to come’
A new report from global firm DLA Piper has found that Australia comes second only to the United States when it comes to the volume of climate-related litigation disputes. According to the firms’ findings, more than 1,700 climate-related court cases have been decided worldwide by the end of 2020.
9: ‘It’s our job to be fearless’
Managing partner and of litigation at Executive Legal Jahan Kalantar spoke recently on The Lawyers Weekly Show to share the importance of finding your voice as a lawyer and stressed that standing up for yourself can be personally and professionally beneficial. While it is important that young lawyers conduct themselves with grace, Mr Kalantar added that they should also have a voice.
10: ‘Check your bias constantly’: The changes legal workplaces should make
On International Women’s Day, the Australian Women Lawyers president has called on the profession to take practical steps within their workplaces to address biases.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
