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 […]

Continue Reading
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 […]

Continue Reading
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 […]

Continue Reading
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 […]

Continue Reading
By : Mar 23, 2026 Comments Off on Drawing the line: aggregation, ambiguity and strict liability
Case Alerts

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 […]

Continue Reading
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) […]

Continue Reading
By : Mar 13, 2026 Comments Off on Another first for the Victorian GCO regime: Varying a Group Costs Order
Case Alerts

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 […]

Continue Reading
By : Feb 24, 2026 Comments Off on Court of Appeal finds trusts are criminally liable under HSWA: What are the implications for insurers?
Case Alerts

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 […]

Continue Reading
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 […]

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

Protecting Commonwealth Workers: The Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Scheme

By: Kirsty Easdale and Chelsea Leet At a glance From 6 May 2026, Commonwealth agencies can apply directly to Courts for workplace protection orders to protect workers from personal violence connected to their duties, removing the need for staff to seek state-based orders themselves. The scheme has broad application (including against members of the public […]

Continue Reading
By : Feb 5, 2026 Comments Off on Protecting Commonwealth Workers: The Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Scheme

Search