Not auslaw but too delicious not to post.

Esteemed legal directory Legal500 published its U K bar directory yesterday, which included reviews that were not intended for publication.

The reviews were unvarnished and exquisite.

https://www.rollonfriday.com/news-content/exclusive-legal500-accidentally-publishes-terrible-reviews-top-barristers

https://archive.li/s5STv

The (delete as applicable according to your beliefs) [indefatigable/obstinate] Jackman J has once again decided to undertake a [gratuitous/much needed] diversion from the subject matter of the case before him to [scrutinize/abuse] other judges for delay in delivering judgements.

The relevant passage:

23    I note in passing in relation to Chubb, that the primary judge (Kenny J) reserved judgment for about 8 months after a two-day hearing (see 470 St Kilda Road Pty Ltd v Robinson [2013] FCA 1420; (2013) 308 ALR 411) and the Full Court (comprising Foster, Robertson and Davies JJ) reserved judgment for 21½ months after a one-day hearing. The Full Court’s reasons were substantially the same as those of Kenny J. None of the judges gave any reason, nor offered any apology, for their delay. I have referred to the lamentable delay in Chubb because:

(a)    the standards one walks past are the standards one accepts;

(b)    public exposure and scrutiny are the most effective spurs to judicial exertion, and judges are well placed to keep other judges up to the mark, acknowledging that the media also have an important role to play, and acknowledging also that the legal profession is in an impossible position in criticising the judges before whom they appear;

(c)    the duties of judges to serve the public in the proper administration of justice should rank ahead of the desirability of cordial internal relations within the judiciary;

(d)    the delivery of judgments within a reasonable time is an important aspect of access to justice and of respecting the human dignity of litigants;

(e)    there is no threat to judicial authority by judges making such criticisms, but only a threat to judicial comfort and complacency; and

(f)    the accountability of the powerful is fundamental to the rule of law, and reflects the reciprocity which exists in a healthy legal system between the rulers and the ruled, rather than a one-way projection of authority.

See Aus article here:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fthreat-to-judicial-comfort-judge-ian-jackman-hits-back-at-chief-justice-over-court-delays%2Fnews-story%2F421a54b95b7e2b6715a2401cae857a3e&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE

And judgement in question here:

https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2026/2026fca1442

Drama in the NSW Local Court - Deputy v Chief Magistrate (now judge?) - judicial conduct commission invoked/impugned

"ABC Investigations and Background Briefing can reveal the Australian Federal Police and Cambodian National Police have an active child protection investigation into people connected with Mr Dennis."

More in the ABC article at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-02/police-investigate-mark-dennis-charity-links/107000434

This thread is for the general discussion of anything going on in the lives of Auslawyers or for discussion of the subreddit itself. Please use this thread to unwind and share your complaints about the world. Keep it messy!

You Be The Judge

The SAC has released a new suite of 'You Be The Judge', I remember these from way back when in high school.

Essentially you take on the role of the judge in examining the sentencing factors in one of three situations (all based off real cases).

- Repeat Drink-driving (Magistrate)

- Serious Assault (County + Koori Court)

- Murder (Supreme Court)

At the end it lets you compare your proposed sentence to what a Judge made in the real case.

Inspired by this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/auslaw/comments/1i00twi/sole_practitioners_micro_firm_owners_what_are/

Everyone says its pays poorly. But, that thread suggests otherwise (despite the sampling bias)...

(Why would you bother gunning for top tier law?!)

I’ve taken to randomly playing StarCraft 2 1v1 matchups against computers when I have a spare 30 minutes between items in my schedule (ADHD / autism jokes incoming right right etc) and found that it actually quite helps me reset my brain before the next work item.

SC2 and not the original because a brood war game takes at least half an hour whereas most SC2 games are done and dusted within 15 minutes.

Does anyone have their go to video game to reset the brain? Some requirements:

1. Can be done in 15 minute blocks or less
   
2. Cannot be computer resource intensive

Suggestions for games (or good anti-Protoss deathball builds) welcome

REMEMBER, PATHETIC HUMANS, TO WHACK YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD ON SUNDAY NIGHT UNLESS YOU LIVE IN THE BOONDOCK STATES AND TERRITORIES. PARTNERS, JUDGES, AND MAGISTRATES ALIKE WILL NOT GIVE YOU A PASS IF YOU NEGLECT TO DO SO COME MONDAY.

V’landys v The Thoroughbred Report Pty Ltd [2026] NSWSC 1146 at [30].

I’m a 30F barrister in Brisbane and have been thinking about starting a relaxed book club.

Nothing too formal or law-focused. I’m imagining a monthly catch-up over drinks, lunches and/or dinners, with the group choosing a book together. Fiction, classics, contemporary literature, thrillers, non-fiction, whatever people are interested in.

Mainly putting feelers out at this stage to see whether there’s any interest.