Law Report

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Law Report Special: Linda Reynolds wins defamation battle against Brittany Higgins Aug 27, 2025

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Former Coalition Federal Minister Linda Reynolds has won her defamation case against former parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins.

It has been widely reported that both parties literally put their houses on the line to fund their legal campaigns and today, almost a year after the trial wrapped, Justice Paul Tottle of the WA Supreme Court ordered that Brittany Higgins pay Linda Reynolds $315,000 in damages and $26,000 in interest.

The trial centred on three social media posts written by Brittany Higgins, four years after she alleges she was raped in parliament house by her then colleague Bruce Lehrmann. The social media posts criticised her then boss Linda Reynolds.

Defamation law expert Dr Jessica Lake joins host Damien Carrick to analyse why Higgins legal team defences of truth, fair comment and qualified privilege mostly failed and what this will mean for future defamation cases.

To hear more in-depth expert coverage of the important legal stories and cases of the week search for The Law Report podcast on the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Guest: Defamation Law expert Dr Jessica Lake from Melbourne University Law School

Will 'post and boast' laws stop offenders bragging on social media? Australia tightens vaping regulations Aug 26, 2025

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Victoria is the latest jurisdiction to adopt laws that punish offenders who brag about their crimes on social media, as Western Australia considers a similar bill to increase the maximum prison sentence. Critics fear the legislation could stifle free speech and lead to a rise in youth incarceration. And Australian regulations around electronic cigarettes are being tightened - are the new rules working?

Nine's victory in Al Muderis defamation case; Legal fight over 'Never Get Busted' director credit Aug 19, 2025

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The Nine Network's Federal Court victory over high-profile surgeon Munjed Al Muderis marks the first time a media organisation has defended a defamation case on public interest grounds. And two people who claim to have directed a documentary being screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival are at the centre of an unusual legal fight.

Record damages in Mad Mex sexual harassment case; Reviewing the legal definition of terrorism Aug 12, 2025

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The Federal Court has awarded a record $305,000 in damages to a young woman who was sexually harassed by her employer at a Sydney fast food restaurant. And is it time to change how Australian law defines terrorism?

Legal conditions for Palestinian statehood; Electronic wills after Covid Aug 05, 2025

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As more countries move towards formal recognition of a Palestinian state, the Law Report examines the conditions for statehood under international law. And what are the risks, benefits and opportunities presented by electronic wills?

Federal Court says Australian women can sue Qatar Airways over airport body searches Jul 29, 2025

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The Law Report speaks to one of the Australian women who won the right to sue Qatar Airways after being subjected to invasive searches at a Doha airport in 2020. And what does the International Court of Justice say about Australia's responsibility to combat climate change?

ICJ to deliver climate advisory opinion; Denmark's plan to let citizens copyright their face and voice Jul 22, 2025

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As the International Court of Justice prepares to deliver a long-awaited climate advisory opinion, the Law Report explores the Federal Court ruling that Australia's government does not have a legal responsibility to protect Torres Strait islands from the impacts of climate change. And Denmark is planning to give citizens copyright protection over their face and voice.

Defining death: ALRC examines laws around human tissue and organs Jul 15, 2025

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In Australia, 'what is death' and other legal definitions, such as what constitutes human tissue, have not kept up with advances in medical science and technology.

AI and automated decision making in government Jul 08, 2025

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Robodebt has shown that relying on automated decision making tools can be disastrous. What checks and balances could be developed to guide the safe and ethical use of AI in government operations, policy making and service delivery?

Law Report Special: Erin Patterson found guilty in triple mushroom murder Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

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.

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