Federal Court ... Former nurse gives evidence in proceedings brought by surgeon Munjed Al Muderis against Nine Network ... Tells Court of forging signatures on prescriptions and passing on details of patients to journalist ... Tells of engaging in sales tactics to persuade patients to undertake surgery ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited & Anor
Federal Court ... Network Ten tells Court not necessary to recall Brittany Higgins over $2.4 million settlement deed with Commonwealth ... Follows submissions from counsel for Bruce Lehrmann that there were inconsistencies between deed and evidence at trial ... Whether necessary to accord Higgins procedural fairness ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Around the courts
WA Court of Appeal ... Aged care staffer loses appeal over ruling on expiry of limitation period ... Federal Circuit and Family Court ... Air conditioning technician obtains default judgment over adverse review ... SA Supreme Court ... Rival camps in cross-claim fail in indemnity costs bids ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Munjed Al Muderis v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd & Ors
Federal Court ... Trial in proceedings brought by Dr Munjed Al Muderis against Nine Network and three journalists ... Court hears former patient asked for loan to be paid in return for not giving evidence for respondents ... Court hears former patient undertook removal of excess skin himself ... Other patients give evidence ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Venting about contempt
Statutory basis for the law of contempt is desirable ... Current murder case and the media's use of the word "alleged" ... Suppression and take-down orders ... Sub judice contempt ... Panel discussion with Professor David Rolph and barrister Matthew Lewis ... Veronica Lenard reports ... more
Al Muderis v Nine Network Australia Pty Limited (No 3)
Federal Court ... Surgeon Munjed Al Muderis fails in bid to vary costs order ... Followed wholly unsuccessful effort to have Nine reporter reveal her sources ... Justice Robert Bromwich considered costs in the cause would be unjust if Al Muderis were to prevail in primary proceeding ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Munjed Al Muderis v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd & Ors
Federal Court ... Proceedings brought by high profile surgeon Professor Munjed Al Muderis against Nine Network and three of its journalists ... Court hears evidence from Dr Andrew Ellis, head of orthopaedics at Royal North Shore Hospital ... Court hears from Donald Grieve KC, father of Nine reporter Charlotte ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Peros v Blackburn
Federal Court … Mother of murdered woman fails to obtain separate question hearing on serious harm … Sought hearing under Federal Court Rules, rather than s.10A(5) of the Defamation Act … Outcome may well have been different under Defamation Act … Justice Roger Derrington calls for changes to Rules … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
FJ (pseudonym initials) v Siglin
Supreme Court of Western Australia ... Man awarded $250,000 in aggravated damages over false claims he was arrested for killing former president of an outlaw motorcycle gang ... Pseudonyms, suppression orders and closed court employed for proceedings ... Concerns for security ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Around the courts
Federal Court ... Former State Revenue Office lawyer loses second bid for extension of time ... Federal Court ... Compensation lawyer secures preliminary discovery from Google ... NSW Court of Appeal ... Second bid to re-open appeal dismissed as vexatious ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Munjed Al Muderis v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd & Ors
Federal Court ... Para-athlete Mark Urquhart gives evidence in defamation proceedings brought by his surgeon Munjed Al Muderis ... Urquhart was featured in 60 Minutes story and print reports ... Told of encountering maggots and being advised to use deodoriser to mask odour ... Court hears of positive relationship between 2015 and 2020 ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Lakaev v McConkey
Tasmanian Supreme Court ... Psychologist loses defamation action over claims she led a cult ... Found to be an "arrant liar" ... Self represented defendant establishes truth of imputations ... Imputations of assault, unlawful financial advantage, indoctrination found to be absolutely true ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more