A WA Supreme Court case with its fair share of peculiarities … Judge researches habeas corpus in his chambers … Discovers other undisclosed cases involving the applicant … How much research are judges allowed? … Plus – a fresh entry into the slow lane by a repeat contender from the Circuit Court … Sandy Groper reports from Perth
Summer in Blighty
Kenneth Widmerpool Tuesday, July 14, 2026England in the heat … Train late for Andy Burnham … Pub life … Sinking cans in the sun … Weed, vapes and shishas … Farage faces Count Binface … What next for fox hunting? … Kenneth Widmerpool files from London
Oh! Brother
Goings On Desk Wednesday, July 8, 2026Christian Brothers run for cover … No money in the till for sexual abuse survivors … Hiding the assets … Church scheme for a blanket moratorium on litigation has come unstuck … Looking for a “proper defendant” … Silks picnic … From our Goings On Desk
Fabricated vindication
Defamatorium Monday, July 6, 2026Law shop moved into the PR business … Evolution of reputation panel beaters into client flack merchants … Spruiking vindication … What vindication? … Deed of settlement breached … Unimpressive witness … Outsized puffery from prominent solicitor … Case note from Stephen Murray at the Gazette of Law & Journalism
Feet of clay
Theodora Thursday, July 2, 2026New venture for the Dice Man … Another book under wraps … Who will publish? … No redemption through charitable works … The judgment delays crusade … Theodora reports
Shortage of courtroom vomit bags
Court in the Act Friday, June 26, 2026Criminal trial … Finding that WA District Court judge excessively intervened in defence case … Improperly refused an adjournment during illness of a defendant … Defendant prevented from properly engaging with the trial … Substantial miscarriage of justice … Go back, start again … Mae Milne reports
Screw-up on the bench
Court in the Act Friday, June 26, 2026South Australia … Magistrate considers wrong facts in nightclub glassing case … No notice that imprisonment was a consideration … Sentencing process miscarries … Excessive self-defence … Injustice … Back it goes … Mae Milne courtside
Fragments from the Federales
Courtney Docket Tuesday, June 23, 2026Transcription update … Money for jam … AGS lawyers dropped in by parachute … Senior flack position for courts and tribunal … “Hero judge” mooted for NACC … Courtney Docket files from courtside