Australian legal news

Daily Australian legal headlines from legal publishers and official bodies, with a short summary and a link to each original article. Court Copilot is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.

Administrative Review Tribunal to gain 11 new senior members Lawyers Weekly, 2 Nov 2026
The Albanese Government appointed eleven Senior Members to the Administrative Review Tribunal for varying term lengths.
‘I want to slap you around a bit, too’: Victorian magistrate reprimanded over language in court The Guardian, 2 Nov 2026
A Victorian magistrate has been reprimanded by the judicial commission for making offensive and inappropriate comments in court, including remarks about wanting to slap someone.
‘An endangered species’: Judge’s bold 2036 prediction for lawyers Lawyers Weekly, 2 Nov 2026
A judge suggested at a 2026 symposium that traditional expert witnesses may not exist in ten years' time.
Who is really benefiting from the legal AI boom? Lawyers Weekly, 2 Nov 2026
Research questions whether law firm clients truly benefit from artificial intelligence adoption, raising concerns about appropriate usage and impacts on legal relationships.
Court rejects bid to expose Jackie O’s confidential communications Lawyers Weekly, 2 Nov 2026
A court declined to unseal confidential communications between Jackie O and her former employer regarding legal professional privilege claims over numerous documents related to a workplace incident.
Australian AI Awards 2026 winners unveiled Lawyers Weekly, 2 Nov 2026
The third annual Australian AI Awards recognised more than 30 professionals and businesses as innovators and leaders in artificial intelligence.
Domain lawsuit forces REA Group to substantiate ‘9 in 10 buyers’ claim Lawyers Weekly, 2 Nov 2026
REA Group must provide evidence supporting its advertising claim that nine in 10 buyers find homes on its platform following a lawsuit from Domain.
Pinsent Masons nabs flexible services expert from Lawyers On Demand Lawyers Weekly, 2 Nov 2026
Pinsent Masons has recruited a flexible services expert who previously led Lawyers On Demand's Melbourne office and LOD Legal.
Colonial institutions still rule Australia. Recognising this is not an act of pessimism: it is an epiphany | Larissa Behrendt The Guardian, 2 Nov 2026
Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson could make a final bid for freedom. What are the prospects of a high court appeal? The Guardian, 31 Oct 2026
Erin Patterson has 28 days to lodge an application for special leave to appeal to Australia's High Court after her retrial bid was dismissed.
Experts warn AI copyright changes could breach Australian constitution and spark huge compensation rights case The Guardian, 31 Oct 2026
Constitutional experts warn that proposed copyright law changes to permit AI companies to scrape copyrighted content could potentially breach Australia's constitution and create significant compensation liability.
More than half of Victorian lawyers use AI – but only a quarter have cut client fees as a result The Guardian, 30 Oct 2026
More than half of Victorian lawyers use artificial intelligence, but only a quarter have reduced client fees despite efficiency improvements.
Judge rejects bid to remove senior counsel over ‘lack of objectivity’ claims Lawyers Weekly, 30 Oct 2026
A judge dismissed an application to remove senior counsel from a Commonwealth malicious prosecution case after the plaintiff claimed the barrister lacked objectivity.
Clyde & Co takes insurance team from Carter Newell Lawyers Weekly, 30 Oct 2026
A partner leading the general liability practice at Carter Newell has moved her team to Clyde & Co.
Special counsel joins DW Fox Tucker wills and estates team Lawyers Weekly, 30 Oct 2026
A special counsel has joined DW Fox Tucker's wills and estates team to enhance the firm's capabilities in that practice area.
Want to make AI defensible? Change your culture Lawyers Weekly, 30 Oct 2026
NONE This article discusses general business culture and AI use, not a specific Australian legal news item suitable for a legal news list.
New associate strengthens Travis Schultz & Partners Brisbane office Lawyers Weekly, 30 Oct 2026
Travis Schultz & Partners hired an experienced associate with over twenty years in law to their Brisbane office.
Lawyers for Marist Brothers face questions over advice to keep serial offender out of ‘legal arena’ The Guardian, 30 Oct 2026
Lawyers for the Marist Brothers are being questioned about advice recommending that a released serial child abuser be kept away from legal proceedings to prevent implicating senior church officials.
The new tool allowing boutique firms to compete with BigLaw Lawyers Weekly, 29 Oct 2026
Artificial intelligence is enabling smaller law firms to compete more effectively against Australia's largest legal practices.
Ironbridge Legal appoints new partner from Pinsent Masons Vario Lawyers Weekly, 29 Oct 2026
Ironbridge Legal has appointed a new partner who specializes in commercial and insurance litigation and brings experience in in house legal, governance and risk roles.
Pragma adds ‘doyen of the Perth legal profession’ from Lavan Lawyers Weekly, 29 Oct 2026
Leith Ayres, an experienced Perth lawyer with over 35 years in the profession, has moved from Lavan to join Pragma.
How this tool can help your firm with major reforms Lawyers Weekly, 28 Oct 2026
An Australian identity verification startup assists businesses in complying with anti money laundering regulations through digital verification solutions.
Legal tech giant undergoes major refresh Lawyers Weekly, 28 Oct 2026
Legal technology company Clio has announced a significant brand refresh at its 2026 conference as it positions itself as a global legal artificial intelligence provider.
AI notetaker for lawyers’ meetings launched by VXT Lawyers Weekly, 28 Oct 2026
A legal AI company has launched an automated notetaker designed to convert lawyer meetings into completed legal work, reducing paperwork burdens for law firms.
When the Royal Commission comes knocking, get your data ready! Lawyers Weekly, 28 Oct 2026
Royal Commissions require organizations to respond quickly to data requests with proper technology support and preparation.
How Postgraduate Study Helped Vicky Advance Her Career Lawyers Weekly, 28 Oct 2026
Postgraduate study enabled Vicky to develop expertise and clarify her professional goals in her legal career.
Chief Justice strikes off lawyer for ‘morally abhorrent’ crimes Lawyers Weekly, 28 Oct 2026
A lawyer imprisoned for child sexual abuse offences has been removed from the legal profession.
Putting a dollar figure on family violence Lawyers Weekly, 26 Oct 2026
Family law changes from June 2025 will allow courts to consider economic impacts of family violence when dividing property between former partners.
In allowing coal expansion in the Hunter, Chris Minns is pouring fuel on the climate fire. His decision will come back to hurt us all | Jack Egan The Guardian, 23 Oct 2026
The High Court found New South Wales is responsible for emissions from burning exported coal, but the government is allowing coal expansion in the Hunter region.
Rebel Wilson secures another Australian court win as co-producers of The Deb awarded just $10 The Guardian, 23 Oct 2026
An NSW Supreme Court judge awarded Rebel Wilson almost $400,000 and ordered co producers of The Deb to pay her $10 in damages after dismissing their case.
CCTV of Beau Lamarre-Condon visiting McDonald’s drive-thru in van allegedly used to dispose of bodies shown to jury The Guardian, 22 Oct 2026
Jurors viewed CCTV footage showing the accused police officer using a van allegedly connected to body disposal to purchase food and visit stores days after the alleged murders.
First a strip-search goes too far, then a boy is isolated in a cell … the former detainees who tell all-too-similar stories The Guardian, 22 Oct 2026
Former detainees allege systematic abuse in Australian custody facilities including inappropriate strip searches and cell isolation.