Subject

The Federal Circuit Court is addressing concerns raised by numerous appellate judges with rulings by a judge on the bench that have been variously labelled "misguided", "disjointed" and "regrettable".

A judge has set aside a subpoena that allegedly sought to “embarrass the New South Wales government”, in lawsuits contesting compulsory COVID-19 vaccination orders made by state health minister Brad Hazzard.

Nine Network, Seven Network and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation have won a temporary injunction barring the Civil Aviation Safety Authority from declaring the area above the Melbourne CBD to be a restricted area in response to anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine protests that have disrupted the city.

While a first test case in NSW rejected insurers' interpretation of infectious disease exclusions in COVID-19 business interruption policies, potentially putting the industry on the hook for billions of dollars in claims, QBE says the law is on its side in Victoria.

BHP Billiton has resolved a case by an employee who claimed the company breached the Fair Work Act by sacking her for alleged social media harassment of a co-worker who failed to self isolate after an interstate trip at the start of the first COVID-19 wave.

The migration to the digital courtroom is taking its toll on the nation’s barristers, who face increased challenges and levels of fatigue from the mental load of conducting hearings remotely.

The Commonwealth does not have to hand over health advice given to the National Cabinet concerning Australia’s COVID-19 response and vaccine administration to the applicants in three lawsuits contesting compulsory vaccination orders by the NSW Health Minister.

Qantas has lost its second attempt to delay a hearing on further relief pending an appeal in its outsourcing spat with the Transport Workers Union, with a judge finding a stay would prejudice the union more than the airline.

The owners and operators of five Melbourne theatres have filed legal action against Ansvar Insurance seeking more than $20 million in business interruption cover for losses stemming from closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legal challenges to the New South Wales Health Minister’s orders mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for certain workers have already entered a third wave and cannot all be heard together, a court has heard.