Case Alerts

‘So unreasonable’: Supreme Court of Queensland confirms scope of s 36 protection

By: Cassandra Wills and Taylah Graham Dennison v Brisbane City Council [2026] QSC 83 The Supreme Court of Queensland has confirmed the significant protection afforded to public authorities under s 36 of the Civil Liability Act 2003 (Qld) (CLA), dismissing a claim against Brisbane City Council (BCC) notwithstanding findings that it would otherwise have been […]

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By : May 13, 2026 Comments Off on ‘So unreasonable’: Supreme Court of Queensland confirms scope of s 36 protection
Case Alerts

When AI goes to court: lessons from Jones v Family Court at Whangārei

By: Antony Holden Jones v Family Court at Whangārei [2026] NZSC 1 The New Zealand Supreme Court’s decision in Jones v Family Court at Whangārei [2026] NZSC 1 is a sharp reminder that artificial intelligence, left unchecked, can turn Court submissions into a professional liability event. Although the case involved a self-represented litigant, the Court’s […]

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By : May 5, 2026 Comments Off on When AI goes to court: lessons from Jones v Family Court at Whangārei
Case Alerts

‘Direct claims’ down the drain: Much needed clarity on the Licensed Plumbers General Insurance Order

By: Stuart Moore, Nicholas Graham and Taylor Mullins O’Connell v Lentelle Pty Ltd (in liq) [2026] VSCA 76 The recent Victorian Court of Appeal’s decision in O’Connell v Lentelle Pty Ltd (in liq) [2026] VSCA 76 provides much needed clarity on the oft-misunderstood Licensed Plumbers General Insurance Order 2002 (Vic) (Ministerial Order) – a Victorian […]

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By : May 1, 2026 Comments Off on ‘Direct claims’ down the drain: Much needed clarity on the Licensed Plumbers General Insurance Order
Case Alerts

Finality in litigation: Federal Court dismisses oppression claim as abuse of process

By: Bill Conor and Lachlan Milligan Slater v Ecosol Pty Ltd [2026] FCA 208 At a glance On 5 March 2026, the Federal Court of Australia summarily dismissed an oppression claim brought by Mr Matthew Slater, a minority shareholder in Ecosol Pty Ltd, against the company and two of its directors, Mr Jeffrey Smith and […]

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By : Apr 1, 2026 Comments Off on Finality in litigation: Federal Court dismisses oppression claim as abuse of process
Case Alerts

Drawing the line: aggregation, ambiguity and strict liability

By: Marcus Saw and Romel Tallow Owners Corporation 1 Plan No. PS 650567Y v Shangri-La Construction Pty Ltd [2026] VSC 117 At a glance The decision of the Supreme Court of Victoria in Owners Corporation 1 Plan No. PS 650567Y v Shangri-La Construction Pty Ltd [2026] VSC 117 (16 March 2026) is a salient reminder […]

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By : Mar 23, 2026 Comments Off on Drawing the line: aggregation, ambiguity and strict liability
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ASIC’s case against the directors of Star Entertainment: directors’ duties through a modern lens

By: Yen Seah and Bella Marazita ASIC v Bekier (Liability Judgment) [2026] FCA 196 If you read nothing else, read this: The Federal Court’s 500-page liability judgment in ASIC v Bekier delivers a clear message for directors and officers: passive oversight is not enough. Executives must escalate serious risks – failing to act on red flags can breach […]

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By : Mar 17, 2026 Comments Off on ASIC’s case against the directors of Star Entertainment: directors’ duties through a modern lens
Case Alerts

Another first for the Victorian GCO regime: Varying a Group Costs Order

By: Amanda Beattie, Jonathon Ferraro and Madeleine Wright Byrnes v Origin Energy (No 2) 2026 VSC 97 Another first for the Victorian GCO regime In a judgment delivered by Justice Waller on 11 March 2026, the Supreme Court of Victoria determined the first application to amend a Group Costs Order (GCO) pursuant to s 33ZDA(1) […]

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By : Mar 13, 2026 Comments Off on Another first for the Victorian GCO regime: Varying a Group Costs Order
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Court of Appeal finds trusts are criminally liable under HSWA: What are the implications for insurers?

By: Misha Heneghan, Richie Flinn, Neil Beadle, Matt Hutcheson and the WK Statutory Liability team. RH and JY Trust v WorkSafe New Zealand [2026] NZCA 12 The Court of Appeal has, by majority found that a trust, distinct from the individual trustees, can be prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. The […]

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By : Feb 24, 2026 Comments Off on Court of Appeal finds trusts are criminally liable under HSWA: What are the implications for insurers?
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High Court expands non-delegable duties in landmark child abuse decision

By: Meisha Tjiong, Cindy Lim and William Yeo AA v the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle This morning the High Court of Australia delivered a significant judgment expanding the principles of non-delegable duties and having wide-ranging impact for child abuse claims.  Background AA commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW seeking damages from the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle (Diocese) arising from […]

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By : Feb 11, 2026 Comments Off on High Court expands non-delegable duties in landmark child abuse decision
Case Alerts

Costs consequences of sensible offers and the limits of post-verdict challenges

By: Richard Leder, Michelle Rich and Rhyse Collins Dougan v Trustees of the Marist Brothers [2025] VCC 1663 At a glance On 17 November 2025, Her Honour Judge Bourke of the County Court of Victoria delivered her judgment in Dougan v Trustees of the Marist Brothers [2025] VCC 1663, confirming that defendants who make sensible […]

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By : Feb 11, 2026 Comments Off on Costs consequences of sensible offers and the limits of post-verdict challenges

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