Outgoing Independent National Security Legislation Monitor calls for reform of national security information legislative regime ... Disquiet at secret trials and "overweening secrecy" ... Calls for greater discretion for courts to have open hearings ... Attorney-General would be required to justify secrecy ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Eppinga v Kalil
NSW Court of Appeal ... Former work experience student loses appeal against veterinarian and nurse ... Qualified privilege reply to attack defence not defeated by malice ... No error with regards to additional imputations ... Limited publication ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited & Anor
Federal Court ... Eighth day of proceedings brought by former staffer Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson ... Brittany Higgins faces second day of cross-examination by Steven Whybrow SC ... Tells of trying to reclaim dress ... Denies electoral motive in going public with rape allegations ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Seven Network (Operations) Limited v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited
Full Court of the Federal Court ... Seven entities and lawyers for Ben Roberts-Smith lose appeal over decision to not set aside subpoenas for communications ... Subpoenas relate to costs application against Seven Network and Kerry Stokes' private company after they entered into loan agreements for Roberts-Smith's defamation action ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited & Anor
Federal Court ... Seventh day of proceedings brought by former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson ... Examination in chief of Brittany Higgins concludes ... Cross examination by Steven Whybrow SC commences ... Higgins denies sexual assault allegations fabricated to protect her job ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited & Anor
Federal Court ... Sixth day of trial in proceedings brought by former staffer Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson ... Brittany Higgins continues evidence-in-chief ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Flori v Winter & Ors [No 3]
Reputational harm ... Public interest disclosure ... Policeman's claim for damages ... Tort of reprisal ... Lack of evidence ... Appeal dismissed ... Veronica Lenard reporting ... more
Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publication (No 45)
Federal Court ... Ben Roberts-Smith ordered to pay costs of respondents to defamation action on indemnity basis ... Followed his knowledge that a number of imputations were in fact true ... Roberts-Smith ordered to pay costs of interlocutory applications where he was successful ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited & Anor
Federal Court ... Fifth day of hearing in proceedings brought by former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson ... Cross-examination by Dr Matt Collins KC concludes ... Cross-examination by Sue Chrysanthou SC ... Opening submissions by Collins and Chrysanthou ... Brittany Higgins gives evidence ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd v Peter David Schiff
Federal Court ... Nine Network withdraws bid to restrain American economist Peter Schiff from using documentary evidence in settled proceedings ... Restraint sought to enforce implied undertaking and prevent contempt ... Justice Ian Jackman indicates it might be necessary to address claims of dishonest conduct by Nine ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited & Anor
Federal Court ... Fourth day in proceedings brought by former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson ... Cross examination of Lehrmann continues ... Admits lying in response to "show cause" letter from minister ... Gives evidence on events on the day of broadcast ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited & Anor
Federal Court ... Third day of proceedings in action brought by former staffer Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson ... Cross examination by Dr Matt Collins KC continues ... Lehrmann acknowledges false evidence about drinks purchases ... Denies sexual intercourse took place ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more