brief.

News

Photo gallery: Legal Leadership Intensive

The Law Society's Legal Leadership Intensive, held in partnership with Alta Pete, focussed on supporting practitioners in the journey from excellent lawyer to confident leader.

September 1, 2026

News

Retirement village law reforms take effect today

Changes to Western Australia’s retirement village laws have come into effect today, introducing new requirements for operators and additional protections and rights for residents.

September 1, 2026

Case notes·Practice updates

High Court judgments: September 2026

CCDM Holdings LLC v India [2026] HCA 9 and In Hopper v Victoria [2026] HCA 11

September 1, 2026

Opinion·Wellbeing

A matter of trust – why AI guard rails are crucial

Amid commentary around the potential change to the staffing mix in law firms relating to AI, Mark Andrews explores the notion of trust and the legal profession.

August 31, 2026

Case notes

“Somebody get these beggars out of here!” – FCA grants extended site blocking orders to protect The Odyssey from online piracy

William Bevan considers new copyright precedent set by the Federal Court granting extended site blocking orders and urgent interlocutory relief in Universal City Studios Productions LLLP v Telstra Limited (No

August 28, 2026

Practice updates

Practice updates·Risk management

Risk alert: Escalation in cyber crime – call before you pay!

Law Mutual warns small practices of rising email fraud, urging robust cybersecurity, staff training and independent telephone verification before transferring funds.

August 28, 2026

Legal updates

Franchising law updates: The latest reforms, enforcement trends and case law

Steve Pynt and Isobel Millward consider several recent judgments in the Australian franchising sector including Bakers Delight v Fair Work Ombudsman [2025].

August 25, 2026

Legal updates

Victoria’s 2026 bail reforms and their impact on criminal defence practice

Victoria’s tougher 2026 bail reforms raise the threshold for release, requiring criminal defence lawyers to prepare stronger evidence addressing risk, stability and rehabilitation says Zara Garde-Wilson.

August 20, 2026

Case notes

Case note: Four properties, millions of debt and a lender’s bid for recovery

Keleigh Robinson and Craig Nichol from the Family Law Book summarise O Pty Ltd v Calvo [2026].

August 18, 2026

Legal updates·Practice updates

Honestly, why can’t I trust you?

Gad Coffie, Dr Brett Davies and Dr Sue Kee consider the growth of AI hallucinations in relation to recent cases around the world.

July 6, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Reviews

Film review: The Dog Stars

Reviews of the latest film and screen offerings in cinemas.

August 28, 2026

Opinion

The 2026 Federal Human Rights Bill: Why now is different

Katrina Williams considers independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie's private member's bill, the Human Rights Bill 2026.

August 27, 2026

News

Federal Court commissions study into self-reps spike

The Federal Court and UNSW researchers will investigate rising self-representation, examining its causes, impacts on justice, and strategies for improving court efficiency.

August 26, 2026

Opinion

Two AI announcements, one lesson for the profession

Andrew Cooke says AI adoption in legal practice requires preparation, governance and human oversight, with platform choice secondary to responsible implementation and evaluation.

August 26, 2026

News

Good character references to be scrapped in WA sentencing

The Cook Government has announced amendments to the Sentencing Act 1995 (WA) that will remove good character references as a mitigating factor across all criminal sentencing matters.

August 25, 2026

Opinion

Australia’s arbitration opportunity

Senator for WA, Senator Varun Ghosh examines geopolitical fragmentation, declining confidence in global institutions and the growing opportunity for Australia's international arbitration sector.

August 24, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Reviews

Film review: Tony

Francisco Silva reviews the latest film and screen offerings in cinemas.

August 21, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Quirky cases

The tale of the naked stable boy

Quirky Cases are brought to you by John McKechnie AO KC.

August 21, 2026

Opinion

Why AI has become my first stop for new High Court decisions

Michael Paterson, Chair of the Technology & Law Commitee considers a practical application of AI in your practice.

August 19, 2026

Legal updates

The Sword of Damocles: recent and pending tax litigation

Matthew Plint considers Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel [2026] with an ancient Greek mythology lens.

August 17, 2026

Legal Lifestyle

Opinion·Wellbeing

The identity opportunity for lawyers

Generative AI will take over legal task performance and catalyse an identity crisis for the legal profession, unless lawyers instead turn this into an opportunity to redefine their purpose and value, writes Jordan Furlong.

August 7, 2026

Opinion·Wellbeing

The lost art of picking up the phone

Law firm leaders need to create a culture in which phone communication feel safe and normal, writes Leonie Green.

July 20, 2026

Opinion·Wellbeing

Sustainable performance the challenge as leaders face ultimate test

People management must come to the fore like never before if law firms are to deliver sustainable excellence, writes Leonie Green.

June 16, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Wellbeing

If Sitesh Bhojani had a spare 10 minutes

Think you know someone? Tiffany Cosby asks some fun questions in this short and sweet occasional column about how lawyers spend their time ...

May 29, 2026

Podcasts

Legal lifestyle·Podcast

You know that oddly flat feeling when work is neither terrible nor fulfilling?

Reviewing Jennifer Breheny Wallace's book, 'Mattering' and realising the issue might not be the work, the hours or the pressure, but that you feel like you don't matter.

April 16, 2026