Defence contractor Terry Nichols gives evidence ... Tells of events at Veterans Employment Awards in March 2018 ... Tells of assisting woman find Ben Roberts-Smith ... Tells of her fall down set of stairs ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Year: 2022
Wilks v Qu (Ruling)
Preliminary hearing on serious harm element granted to defendant … Powerlifting heavyweight suing over allegations of sexual harassment … Consideration of “as soon as practicable” … “Special circumstances” … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
Former SAS corporal Person 11 continues under cross-examination ... Denies being present when Ben Roberts-Smith ordered execution of detainee ... Can't recall details of last mission in rotation ... Denies Roberts-Smith killed teen detainee ... Denies practice of throwdowns ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd (No. 34)
Delayed YouTube broadcasts of Ben Roberts-Smith trial pulled after concerns of misuse ... Sensitive witnesses not publicly shown ... Video access in court building and for approved media and parties ... Fears YouTube broadcast used to identify sensitive witnesses by foreign entities ... Open justice still satisfied ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
Former SAS corporal, Person 11 continues giving evidence ... Denies account of killing spotter in thick corn field from 15 metres away improbable ... Person 11 denies spotter would have been identified by drones, Apaches ... Disputes he is under investigation ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Poland v Hedley (No. 4)
The newspaper rule … Identities of Source A and Source B not revealed … Not in the interests of justice to identify the confidential sources … Legal professional privilege not "waived irrevocably" … Amended defence could effectively undo waiver … Defamation actions bedevilled by interlocutory disputes … Margery Ai reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
Former SAS corporal Person 11 gives evidence ... Court had previously heard allegations Person 11 was involved in killing of detainee kicked off cliff by Roberts-Smith ... Person 11 denies Roberts-Smith kicked man off cliff ... Person 11 says he engaged man in corn field as a "direct threat" ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Around the courts
Medical researcher in long-running battle over Google results loses appeal over discovery ... Union official reaches settlement over crowd fundraising page in action over Honi Soit article ... Apology provided ... Puerto Rican banker seeks separate question on meaning ... Respondents seek additional security ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
SAS major, Person 100, gives evidence for Ben Roberts-Smith ... Was Regimental Sergeant-Major in 2013 ... Denies being told of war crimes or breaches of rules of engagement ... Told of doubts Roberts-Smith was fit and proper person to receive Victoria Cross ... Allegations of bullying ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
SAS officer Person 29 continues giving evidence ... Denies changing evidence of recollection of features of slain insurgents to assist Roberts-Smith ... Shown outline of evidence where he says he was aware of prosthetic leg ... Memory "not robust" or infallible ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
SAS officer Person 29 gives evidence ... Good friend of Roberts-Smith and godfather to one of his children ... Tells court of locating tunnel, but denies anybody found in it ... Assists Person 35 to retrieve weaponry and items from tunnel ... Drinks from prosthetic limb to ease friction ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
SAS member Person 27 continues in cross-examination ... Tells Court first hearing of removal of Afghan officer from "Ben's lawyers" ... Denies being prepared to lie to support Roberts-Smith ... Does not recall Chenartu mission in October 2012 ...Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more