State doomed to ‘repeat’ deaths with harsher bail laws
Laws to tighten the granting of bail for children and repeat serious offenders have been criticised as knee-jerk by some legal and Aboriginal groups.
court administration
Aust-first machete ban more ‘political optics’ than fix
A state government has promised to rapidly roll out an Australian-first machete ban but is copping criticism for its past opposition.
Questions as accused smuggler’s escape ends 4000km away
Federal police have tracked down an accused drug smuggler who was allegedly trying to sail to Indonesia after skipping out from a rehabilitation centre.
Bail laws crack down halts court as arrests explode
Police have made 31 arrests in 24 hours after major changes to bail laws, causing courts to grind to a stop, leaving authorities scrambling for solutions.
State to appeal two ‘manifestly inadequate’ sentences
A state government has lodged notices of appeal over what they have described as "manifestly inadequate" sentences.
Liberal leader digs in as support slips away
A state opposition leader is under mounting pressure following a defamation ruling, with one of his frontbench team announcing their resignation.
Workers protest CFMEU takeover as court battle starts
Blue-collar unionists are rallying against a forced takeover of the construction union, saying the laws strip them of their rights, as a legal challenge begins.
Trauma of victims and witnesses focus of court overhaul
Victims and witnesses to certain crimes won't have to testify in court multiple times under reforms aimed at reducing the chance of increasing their trauma.
Why more Aussies are letting AI organise their divorce
An AI-powered legal service is helping former couples divide marital assets and, while it will not suit everyone, organisers say it is saving users money.
Crack down on construction union clears final hurdle
The CFMEU has signalled it could challenge new laws forcing it into administration for at least three years, as parliament agreed to pass the reforms.
CFMEU-busting law being prepared, new minister says
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has tasked his department to have new laws ready to go if the tarnished CFMEU push to fight its administration.
Camper killer may use rare legal move to delay sentence
Greg Lynn's lawyer indicated he will appeal his murder conviction over the death of camper Carol Clay and may use a rare legal manoeuvre to delay sentencing.
Father who killed three sons prepares for new appeal
Robert Farquharson, who was convicted of murdering his three sons in 2005, is preparing a new legal appeal.
Bikie head seeks early jail release after almost dying
A Sydney bikie seriously injured after his brother was fatally gunned down wants less time in prison for his role in destroying evidence of another killing.
Court action against power plant after mass outage
The Australian energy regulator is taking a Queensland power plant owner to court over alleged compliance failures at a beleaguered coal-fired facility.
Alleged crepe-thrower confident she’ll win July hearing
The woman accused of assaulting the former Northern Territory chief minister with a crepe represented herself in court in Darwin.
NT government to lay charges over Wave Hill site damage
Charges are set to be laid after allegations of significant damage to the heritage-listed Wave Hill Walk-Off route following an investigation.
Accused multiple stabber refuses to give DNA to police
An accused serial stabber has refused to give police a DNA sample, as he returned to court with a new lawyer.
Stabbing accused dumps lawyer mid-court hearing
A man accused of stabbing five people in a rampage across inner Melbourne has dumped his lawyer in the middle of a court hearing, opting to represent himself.
Stabbing spree accused refuses to come to court
A Melbourne man accused of stabbing five people in a random series of attacks over the weekend has refused to speak to his lawyer or leave his jail cell.
Hefty fine for RACQ after misleading discounts
Insurer RACQ has been hit with a $10 million penalty in the Federal Court after potentially misleading customers about price discounts.
NT coroner dismisses Zach Rolfe’s call to step down
Northern Territory coroner Elisabeth Armitage has dismissed Zach Rolfe's request to recuse herself from the inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker.
Man wins $300k payout after suing judge over jailing
A judge will be personally liable for part of a man's $300,000 compensation payout after he wrongly jailed a man during divorce proceedings.
Justice Stephen Gageler to become next High Court chief
The Albanese government has announced Justice Stephen Gageler will replace retiring High Court chief justice Susan Kiefel in November.
Top prosecutor extends leave ahead of Lehrmann report
As the ACT government awaits the Lehrmann trial inquiry report, the territory's chief prosecutor has extended his leave.
Roberts-Smith resigns from GM role at Seven Network
The Australian War Memorial Council is considering the future of public displays featuring Ben Roberts-Smith's equipment, as he resigns from the Seven Network.
Judge defends booting breastfeeding mum out of court
A judge is being urged to apologise to a woman who was ordered out of a Victorian courtroom for breastfeeding her baby.
Orthodox principal Leifer ‘took advantage’ of teens
Closing arguments have begun in the trial of former ultra-Orthodox Jewish principal Malka Leifer, who is accused of sexually abusing three former students.
Malka Leifer’s former student accused of ‘blatant lies’
A former student who says she was sexually abused by ultra-Orthodox Jewish teacher Malka Leifer has been accused of telling "blatant lies" to jurors.
Breastfeeding mother and baby kicked out of court
A mother breastfeeding her child was asked to leave a court by a judge because he was concerned she would be a distraction to jurors.
ACT flags Lehrmann rape trial inquiry
The ACT's attorney-general says he's considering his options regarding an investigation into how the rape trial of Bruce Lehrmann was handled.