âSuch a talented womanâ: Rowena Orr named as Victoriaâs solicitor-general
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Rowena Orr, QC, who is best known for her role in the federal governmentâs banking royal commission, has been appointed Victoriaâs next solicitor-general.
Ms Orr will become the stateâs most senior legal adviser after nearly 20 years as a barrister, a career which includes her most prominent role in serving as senior counsel assisting the commissioner in the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry in 2018 and 2019.
Self-disqualified judges, overhauled federal appointment process front of mind for judicial impartiality inquiry
Self-disqualified judges, overhauled federal appointment process front of mind for judicial impartiality inquiry
02 May 2021 • By Naomi Neilson Share
Numerous text messages and coffee meetings between a judge and barrister in the same matter have incited an inquiry from the Australian Law Reform Commission that questions whether judges should be self-disqualified, how written guidelines should be amended and whether the appointment process should be overhauled.
Over a 23-month period, the Honourable Justice John Walters QC exchanged many text messages and phone calls with barrister Gillian Anderson who was representing one of the clients in a matter he was presiding over. This “personal relationship” has generated concern about apprehended bias and public confidence in the judiciary.
Date Time
Australia’s Judicial Impartiality Consultation Paper released
Today the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) released aConsultation Paper for the review of Judicial Impartiality, and is calling for submissions on its questions and reform proposals.
In Australia, judicial independence and impartiality are seen as fundamental to the common law system of adversarial trial, to the exercise of judicial power under the Australian Constitution, and to upholding public confidence in the administration of justice.
TheTerms of Referencefor this Inquiry ask the ALRC to consider whether:
the law actual or apprehended bias relating to judicial decision-making is sufficient and appropriate to maintain public confidence in the administration of justice;
Can Australian financial services regulation be simplified?
Can Australian financial services regulation be simplified?
28 April 2021 • By Wolters Kluwer Share
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High Court reviews ‘inexcusable’ relationship between judge and barrister
By Naomi Neilson|25 April 2021
The High Court is considering whether to allow an appeal to a Family Court decision after it was disclosed that the judge and a barrister in the matter had a relationship that included “numerous” text messages and meetings over coffee or drinks.
A Perth real estate agent has brought an appeal to the High Court on the grounds of apprehended bias after his lawyers discovered that the opposing side’s barrister Gillian Anderson had been engaging in a “personal relationship” with the now-retired judge, the Honourable John Walters QC, throughout the course of the proceedings.