Trial reports    October 4, 2024

Moira Deeming v John Pesutto

Federal Court of Australia ... Fourteenth day of hearings in proceedings brought by former Victorian Liberal MLC Moira Deeming against Opposition Leader John Pesutto ... Evidence from Pesutto's former chief of staff Rodrigo Pintos-Lopez ... Evidence from Pesutto's former director of communications Nick Johnston ... Evidence from witnesses concludes ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more

 

Concerns Notices    October 3, 2024

Gayed v Virgin Mary & St Markorious Coptic Orthodox Church

Supreme Court of NSW … Coptic Orthodox Church parishioner seeks to sue priest and Church management over email sent to parishioners … Imputations of involvement in murder, money-laundering, theft and fraud … Said to be first instance of superior court of record considering validity of concerns notice with regards to serious harm element … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more

 

Trial reports    October 3, 2024

Moira Deeming v John Pesutto

Federal Court of Australia ... Twelfth and thirteenth day of hearings in proceedings brought by former Victorian Liberal MLC Moira Deeming against Opposition Leader John Pesutto ... Court hears from David Southwick, Deputy Opposition Leader ... Evidence from Georgie Crozier, Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more

 

Trial reports    October 1, 2024

Moira Deeming v John Pesutto

Federal Court of Australia ... Eleventh day of hearings in proceedings brought by former Liberal MLC Moira Deeming against Opposition Leader John Pesutto ... Former Deputy Upper House Leader Dr Matthew Bach gives evidence ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more

 

Serious harm    October 1, 2024

Stevens v Birtic

District Court of Queensland … Fish truck operator has defamation claim against rival operator dismissed … Concerns notice failed to identify serious harm suffered … Claim and statement of claim said to suffer similar deficiencies … No leave to replead … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more

 

Trial reports    September 30, 2024

Moira Deeming v John Pesutto

Federal Court of Australia ... Tenth day of hearings in proceedings brought by former Liberal MLC Moira Deeming against Opposition Leader John Pesutto ... Fourth and final day of cross-examination for Pesutto ... Court sees spreadsheet of staff assessment of likely votes on expulsion motion ... Pesutto's affidavits are released ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more

 

Trial reports    September 28, 2024

Moira Deeming v John Pesutto

Federal Court ... Ninth day of hearing in proceedings brought by former Liberal MLC Moira Deeming against Opposition Leader John Pesutto ... Pesutto faces third day of cross-examination ... Maintains expulsion move against Deeming was urgent and justified ... Concerns about associations with far-right extremists ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more

 

Seminars, interviews & commentary    September 27, 2024

Defamation Reform Update

Tasmania introduces legislation for defamation reforms affecting digital intermediaries ... Round-up of progress, or lack of progress ... States and Territories ... Voice for federal government takeover of the jurisdiction grows stronger ... Hamish Lennon reporting ... more

 

Settlements    September 27, 2024

Smolin v Dailymail.com Australia Pty Ltd

District Court of NSW … Daily Mail’s Australian outlet released from implied undertaking over book by self-confessed psychopath … Daily Mail wanted to refer book to police in NSW and Queensland … Limited non-publication orders granted in respect of names and images of women in book … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more

 

Trial reports    September 25, 2024

Moira Deeming v John Pesutto

Federal Court of Australia ... Eighth day of hearings in proceedings brought by former Victorian Liberal MLC Moira Deeming against Opposition Leader John Pesutto ... Pesutto continues to give evidence in cross-examination ... Tells of concerns about Deeming following maiden speech ... Denies pre-empting resignation on neo-Nazi pretext ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more

 

Trial reports    September 24, 2024

Moira Deeming v John Pesutto

Federal Court ... Seventh day of hearings in proceedings brought by former Liberal MLC Moira Deeming against Opposition Leader John Pesutto ... Opening submissions from Dr Matthew Collins KC, senior counsel for Pesutto ... Not a wrongful dismissal claim ... Pesutto is cross-examined by Sue Chrysanthou SC, senior counsel for Deeming ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more

 

Trial reports    September 16, 2024

Moira Deeming v John Pesutto

Federal Court of Australia ... First day of hearing in proceedings brought by former Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming against Opposition Leader John Pesutto ... Opening submissions by Sue Chrysanthou SC, senior counsel for Deeming ... Court hears of guilt by association ... Court told of secret recording of meeting ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more