Daily wrap
After seven days of deliberation, a jury has found Erin Patterson guilty of murder and attempted murder. The 50-year-old woman was found to have deliberately poisoned four members of her estranged husband's family by serving them a meal containing poisonous wild mushrooms two years ago. The trial in the Victorian Supreme Court in Morwell, outside of Melbourne, ran for more than two months and has drawn international attention. Guest: Rishi Nathwani, Defence Barrister, Parnell’s Barristers in Melbourne
Dawn Singleton’s family agree to court orders in favour of Nine in landmark copyright battle [SMH paywall]
The family of Bondi Junction stabbing victim Dawn Singleton has agreed on the eve of a two-day trial to court orders ending their dispute against Nine.
Struck off Lambo-driving lawyer fails in bid to keep career fall secret [Courier Mail paywall]
A former high flying Brisbane lawyer has failed in his bid to keep his kicking out of the legal profession a secret.
Former barrister Shane Noel Tyrell struck off after sending child rape images to cop [Courier Mail paywall]
A former barrister who defended slain underworld killer Carl Williams has been struck off and registered as a sex offender after he sent child rape images to an undercover cop.
How the AG’s constant appeals could change sentencing trends [Brisbane Times paywall]
A couple convicted of raping a child who will be eligible for parole in the coming months will have their sentences appealed, in the latest rebuke of decisions from Queensland courts from the Attorney-General.
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2025 In Conversation: Chief Justice Stephen Gageler (in person and livestream) | TryBooking Australia - Headnote subscriber discount
The Piddington Society is hosting the Hon Justice Stephen Gageler AC, Chief Justice of Australia, and the Hon Justice Peter Quinlan, Chief Justice of Western Australia on Thursday 14 August 2025. This event is being held at the Supreme Court of Western Australia, and is also being livestreamed for people living regionally, interstate and internationally. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from Australia’s most senior judicial officer in an open and collegial setting, made unique with his Honour being joined by another Chief Justice.
The Piddington Society is providing discounted livestream tickets for Headnote subscribers - book your ticket using the above link and the code HN25 for a $25 discount on livestream tickets. Proceeds from Piddington Society activities go towards their access to justice projects.
Join Oliver Hammond and Nicholas Hodgkinson on The Australian Law Student Podcast as we sit down with one of Australia's most celebrated corporate lawyers, Tony Damian, to trace his path from a small coastal town to the forefront of billion-dollar deals.
Tony shares how a chance encounter as a teenage waiter led him to Sydney Law School, how he fell into M&A by accident, and the mentors and litigated deals that shaped his early career. We explore how AI is reshaping due diligence, the evolving role of social media in legal practice, and why resilience and reflection matter more than constant success.
We also cover Tony’s thoughts on postgraduate study, his favourite Stoic text (Meditations by Marcus Aurelius), and the best career advice he ever received.
AI dawns as the new frontier in legal fights [The Australian paywall]
Australia mirrors the US in class action trends, and AI washing cases could be on the rise, lawyers and experts say.
In this episode of the Center for Public Integrity's podcast, the Hon Michael Barker KC speaks with Peter Malinauskas, the Premier of South Australia, about the innovative changes to the state's Electoral Act that ban political donations, making elections publicly funded. The discussion delves into the motivations behind these reforms, the influence of Malinauskas' visit to the U.S., and the broader implications for democracy. They also explore the benefits of compulsory voting, the risks of lobbying, and the importance of teaching civics in schools to combat apathy and nurture informed citizens. Premier Malinauskas shares insights from his personal journey into politics and his hopes for the future of democratic engagement in Australia.
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